I used this message board back when my Eagle was lost back in 2007, never dreaming I'd be needing this message board again.

My Eagle passed away one week ago today. He was 13 1/2 years old and died of heart failure, although he had other problems. He was my baby, my companion, much more than a dog to me.

This past week has been one of the hardest for me to endure. I am sad, down, depressed, alone, lost and sometimes mad.

I was out earlier and the thought came into my mind of me coming home and him being happy to see me and I couldn't wait for that, then I realized he was gone. It's things like that that are so hard.

When does it get easier???

Eagle's mom

My heart is crying tears for you over the passing of beautiful Eagle. That is a wonderful name for a dog. He HAD to be an Eagle to find his way home when he got lost.

I have had two dogs, elders, rescues, who have gone on to the Promised land. At first it fell like someone has shot you in the heart with a high-powered rifle. The shock to the heart shuts your down because it cannot ensure the sudden shock. You become sort of a "robot" - walking through the things you "have" to do without thinking - even actively keeping thoughts away, because they are FAR too hurtful and, if you're anything like me, you're afraid you'll just lie down and cry forever. your eyes can't see , because everything around you screams, "EAGLE!" You conserve all the energy you have by sitting in one place, or curling up as I did on the dog bed and just sleeping there for over a week (in between going to work, which isn't a place for the heart). I don't know how long this period lasts for other people but for me it was at least two months for Gretta (my first dog - the kindest chocolate lab who ever lived). Rufus (my Big Black Dog - half black lab and half Newfie) went home when I was halfway across the country taking care of my sister who had Stage IV colon cancer so I didn't have a chance to do the "robot" time and that has me doing a crying, sadness, "I'd give anything if you were here just even for one day" time much longer than I think it would have been otherwise.

I got Rufus four months after Gretta had passed. That was the time that was right for me. Some people get another dog the next day, some months later and some never. I just saw one of my neightbors whose dog Duke,, some kind of pug mix that made his face loook EXACTLY like the cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland with a new dog after six years.

It's different for everyone, and I think it must be exceptionally hard for people who have lived with their precious dogs for so many years. Please be assured, though, that you will never be alone in your grief journey. That's what we are here for. We're a family of borthers and sisters who have been blessedd by the love of a special animal and whose best friend has gone home to the Perfect World. You will NEVER be criticized - and seldome even advised unless you ask for it - here on Lightning STrike. Instead you will be loved nad cared for during the second hardest thing you will ever have to go through in your life. I feel funny saying welcome to LS, because the price of admission is so hard.

We are with you, and the Eagle has landed in the Perfect World where he can see you and love you just like when he ws here in physical form.

GOd bless you, Eagle's mom for taking the giant chance of giving your heart away to a beautiful dog, knowing full well that YOU would pay the price of a terrible loss down the road.

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Hi, Eagle'sMom, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Eagle. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company.

This grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity - - it is a journey frequently referred to as a horror roller coaster ride. It is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time sometimes one moment at a time in your own way and in your own time - - for it is a journey of many difficult adjustments to the physical absence of your beloved Eagle that cannot be reconciled in a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months - - for you are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" and the memories that can be all too painful right now that include "this time yesterday, last week, last month, last year" to endure.

This grief adjustment journey is a very painful one both emotionally and physically, and it is important that you give yourself the opportunities you need to openly grieve for your beloved Eagle for as long as you need to. Some people think that suppressing their grief will make their sorrow less painful. Clinical studies prove that suppressed grief is very harmful both physically and emotionally - - for the stress of suppressed grief can eventually cause both physical and emotional health problems that will need to be addressed, and sometimes as an emergency crisis. Scientific studies prove that the tears we cry are literally healing tears for they literally cleanse the body of the toxins that build up in our bodies as a result of the stress of grief. So it is important that you find healthy ways to release your deepest sorrow.

Although your life is now experiencing a drastic and dramatic change in your adjustment to the physical absence of your beloved Eagle, there is one thing that will never change - - the love bond you and your beloved Eagle share. Love is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved Eagle's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey as he always has and always will, for he is always and forever a part of your heart and memories, Eagle'sMom -- he is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

I know all too well from first hand experience that when our hearts are entrenched in deep sorrow there really are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of sorrow. Still I hope the words I share with you will be able to offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. And as Gretta's Mom has so comfortingly shared with you, I wish to affirm her words and reassure you that you are not alone in your grief journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

Thank you so very much for honoring us in sharing your beloved Eagle with us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Eagle'sMom, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

I'm so sorry that your sweet boy has passed away. It is always sad when we lose someone we love.
Time is the only thing I've found that makes loss easier. Not better, because my soul will always have that hole in it, but easier. I get accustomed to the New Normal, and I have fewer expectations...if that makes sense. The pain isn't as sharp as often (although years later the right/wrong memory can still take my breath away). And it is helpful to me to get outside of myself, to reach out to others who are in need.

I am one of those who will always have a companion or two (or three...cats are like potato chips, it's hard to have just one). and there's always room at my house for another lost soul. I don't ever have to look for anyone else - when the time is right, they just show up in one way or another. I will always miss those who have gone on before, but I will always have love for the next one who shows up in need.

Best wishes to you.

Hi Eagle's mom

I want you to know that I asked both my Gretta and my Rufus to welcome Eagle into the Perfect World where they are living now and to take him under their wings and show him around Paradise. I also asked them to ask him to send you some love rays because you are so sad and miss him so much. They already knew him cuz they keep a pretty close eye on the Bridge for new animals, especially darling ones like your Eagle.

I know people here usually write to each other, but a few of us write to our loved ones and it reminds us that they are still alive and in a Perfect Place where they are safe, well, well-fed, where it's always a warm spring day with plenty of sunshine, shade and cool water - and zillions of friends all bragging about how their moms and dads were the best. And also many, many animals who did NOT have anyone to love them while they were here on earth but are now loved and cared for in a special way by the Good Shepherd in His Perfect World - where we will one day join them and live forever.

I often ask that Shepherd to please make me a better dog - since I believe dogs are much better than most people (of course, not including people who love and care for animals).

Out with the old year, which has brought so many sorrows and losses, and in with the new, which I truly believe will bring brighter days,

Blessings to you,

Gretta and Rufus's mom

Gretta and Rufus' Mom, moom_beam and MaryB,

I've come to this site and read your responses and I thank you SO much. You do know how I feel and that's comforting.

I lost my Eagle one month ago yesterday, January 21st. I was doing better than I thought then it "hit" me hard. This past month has seemed like forever and it has been a blur. Mainly I've been depressed, crying a lot, sleeping late and going to bed early...and of course missing my Eagle terribly and wondering when I'll feel better.

I know I will get another baby...not sure when yet though. Sometimes I think, "right now" but then I know I'm not ready.

Hi, Eagle's Mom, thank you so much for sharing your and your beloved Eagle's one month angel-versary with us. When we are in deep grief each day is measured by the physical absence of our beloved companions. Even though "life goes on" - - bills get paid, groceries are bought, jobs get done, etc., - - we are functioning on what I call "automatic pilot". Nothing seems "real" - - because our mind and body are funcitoning in a "survival mode" protecting us from the overwhelming overload of our deepest sorrow. As time progresses in our grief journey eventually the protective shield slowly abates so that we can slowly begin to function more "normally" - - with our "new normal."

Only YOU will know when the right time will be for you to embrace a new companion. You can rest assured that your beloved Eagle will guide your and your new companion's paths to that moment in time when you will meet and you will know beyond a shadow of doubt that you are meant to be together.

I hope today is treating you kindly, Eagle's Mom, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Eagle's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Eagle's Mom, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Good evening Eagle's mom

How are you doing? One thing I learned about grief is that it lasts a LOT longer than I expected. My Gretta (the kindest chocolate lab who ever lived) went home to the Perfect World almost three years ago. I still talk to her, sometimes cry for her, always write to her, ask her for help in crises. Then my Rufus (half black lab-half Newfie) who only shared my life for 21 months went home when I was half a continent away taking care of a critically ill sister. I often cry for him - not being there to hold him in my arms, stroke his big head and tell him what a TRULY GOOD dog he is, pet his velvet ears, and make sure he knew he is SO loved. He is my big black dog. I call on him to lend me strength aand courage and I ask Gretta for kindness and gentleness and patience and understanding.

Many times I feel their spirits beside me or imagine their heads coming around the kitchen door when they heard a package being opened. How I miss seeing both of them circling around and lying down on their big orthopedic dog bed, and saying "night, night doggie" and then turning off the light.

Grief comes and goes. Sometimes it seems far away and sometimes you find yourself crying. Things will happen in their own time. Eagle will be your guide. He is always where he always was, right beside you, guiding your steps and, most important, sharing love with you. And I believe that one day we will meet again when we, too, go home to the Perfect World.

Eagle is one-of-a-kind. So are you.

Gretta and Rufus's mom