Hello All,

First I hope everyone that celebrates had a Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to my brother's house yesterday for Thanksgiving. My family all takes turns having the holidays at their house. My brother adopted one of Rachael's puppies from her litter in 1997. I haven't seen Sabrina since I lost my sweet Rachael. I knew it would stir something in me to see her again, yet I was excited to see her. I guess I wasn't as prepared as I thought. As soon as we got there, I heard Sabrina's familiar bark at the door. When we walked in and I saw her, I just fell to the floor and hugged and kissed her. I found myself breaking out into tears and crying like a baby! I had my family and my brother's girlfriend standing there watching this! I was so embarrassed, but I was just so upset seeing Sabrina. She looks just like her mommy, Rachael, and I just held on to her all day. I showered her with kisses and hugs. I begged my brother to let me take her home. Of course, I knew he wouldn't let me, but I just had to ask

I am so happy that a part of Rachael lives on in my darling granddaughter

Cheri

Hi CheriAnn,

Seeing Sabrina, who is almost a carbon copy of her mom, Rachael, must have been very tramatic for you. I think you handled the situation quite well considering how much you loved and miss your beloved Rachael. You shouldn't feel embarrassed....I'm sure your family understood how seeing Sabrina affected you. Your Rachael will forever hold that special place in your heart and you can always find her there, still letting you know how much she loves you and that she will be with you always.

__Jim

How wonderful that the legacy of sweet Rachael lives on in Sabrina. It must've been very difficult seeing Sabrina, but kind of comforting at the same time. You handled the situation just as I would have...as a matter of fact, as I read your post I started crying just thinking about how I would respond to seeing one of Shiloh's offspring.
Happy holidays,
Kathleen

Hi Cheri,
I would have done the same thing and who cares what people thought about you crying when you saw you grandbaby. As far as all the kisses and hugs you showered on Sabrina it was the next best thing to giving your sweet Rachael all those things too. Don't be embarrassed of the tears they only speak of your love and longing for Rachael Hugs
Ann

Thank you all for responding, it's so nice to know someone cares
It really just took me by surprise. I thought I would be so happy to see her, since she is a part of my Rachael. I was just stunned at how quickly I broke out into tears. If I had even thought that would happen, I might have tried greeting Sabrina away from everyone. Thanks again, and I won't dwell on the embarrassment any more. I will just feel blessed that a part of Rachael lives on.

Although, I feel the need to write out my recent fears with Sabrina. My Rachael battled tumors once she reached about Sabrina's age, 7 years old. We had several removed from over the years. All were not cancer yet, but the kind that develop into caner if not treated right away. While petting Sabrina, I noticed a small tumor mass on her ear. I asked my brother and he said the vet pulled some fluid and said it is only a syst, not to worry. Not I am concerned that poor Sabrina may now suffer the same genetics that Rachael had. I don't know how I will go through watching that happen to another furdog that I love. I know I shouldn't become too concerned, unless something does happen. But writing out my fears may help me release some of it. I wanted to remind my brother that Rachael started having the same problems, and to please watch her carefully and ALWAYS feel for any new bumps and have them checked, but then I was afraid I might scare my brother. So, I said nothing, but starting fearing for my little granddaughter that she may suffer the fate of cancer like her mother.

I guess I rambled on, but I'm sure you all know how hard it is to get through a loss and then fear it happening again.

Cheri

I think you are handling the entire situation very well I believe that seeing your "furry grand-daughter" helped a great deal in the overall healing process.

But DO call your son and tell him about checking for bumps and all the details. You do him a service - and if he doesn't know, he can't safeguard the furry one from health problems.

You will regret it a great deal more if later you find yourself saying "Oh why didn't I say something".