Hello all,

Well, we just picked up our new puppy Saturday night. We got a female black lab puppy. She's just a real sweetheart!
However, I have found myself feeling guilty. It's been a little over two months since I lost my precious Rachael, so I felt it was time to bring another little girl into the house. I feel joy one minute, then I suddenly think of Rachael and guilt consumes me. How could another little girl bring me ANY joy after sharing such a wonderful life with Rachael?!

I honestly don't consider myself crazy. However, I honestly tell you that I am wondering if Rachael's spirit is around. Brandy, the new puppy, is her own little self with her own little personality. I realize that. I am NOT expecting her to replace Rachael or be anything like her. However, Brandy has started doing things just like Rachael!
She got her first bath. My husband put her in the tub and she loved it! She laid right down in the water, and looked at him strange when he let the water out. Rachael loved the water and the tub and used to get in the shower with me as a puppy. Brandy went to lay down and started scratching at the pillow, like she wanted to fluff it up first, before laying down. Rachael had to scratch and fluff everything she laid down on, including the rug. I still have worn out areas on my rugs where she liked to lay down. Then Brandy started laying in two particular spots in the house, the same places Rachael loved to lay. I realize this could all be just a fluke, but Danny and other furbabies didn't do that, or lay in those places.

Again, I feel SO crazy wondering this and actually having the nerve to post this, but could Rachael's spirit be present? Could she be giving me some comfort with Brandy..that's it okay to enjoy and love Brandy too? Has anybody else experienced this?

Cheri

I think bringing a new puppy into your home is a great idea. It doesn't mean you've forgotten Rachael. She will always live in your heart and your memories. It is a great gift to be able to show the same care and affection to your new puppy that you've shown to Rachel. I think it is wrong for people to punish themselves, and by doing so other animals, by feeling it would be wrong to love another animal once theirs has passed away. I know if I was able I would have another cat in my home right now, I would. Not to replace Romeo, but rather to give me another animal to give the affection and attention to, that I once gave to my sweet Romey.

Steve

Sorry, I didn't read your entire post. I truly don't believe Rachel's spirit would be upset by what you've done. Most labs I've known have been extremely accepting of other animals and also so good natured that they wouldn't know how to show ill will towards those that have loved them and taken care of them. As far as her spirit being present, try to remember that dogs are so much sensitive to the input around them. They use dogs to be able to "smell" chemical changes in the human body, so that they can warn epileptics before seizures occur. It's entirely possible that her laying in Rachel's spots could be her sensing something. As far as the bathtub and pillow antics, perhaps that is a breed thing (although I've never known a dog to pass up a nice comfy spot on the bed!!!)

Our cat Stormy still lays in the exact same spot Misty laid her last time in the house, when she was very sick, just before going to the vet for the last time. It's been over 6 weeks since Misty's been gone, and that spot wasn't one she normally laid in.

Hi CheriAnn,

I don't think you're crazy or silly for thinking Rachael's spirit is present. I believe our pets continue to look after us even after they've crossed over. I continue to feel Little Man's presense in almost everything I do. The incredibly strong bonds we have with our pets will never be broken.

Certainly, Brandy has her own personality, but I believe our pets acquire much of their personality traits from us. The way we treat them, love them, and care for their every need....this is what helps to develop their personalities, especially when we raise them from puppies. Rachael's spirit lives in you and when you give attention to Brandy, how could Rachael's influence not be there? Maybe I'm a nut, but I truly believe this.

I think it's great that you have welcomed Brandy into your home and heart. Your Rachael surely must approve....she knows she has a permanent place in your heart and she's not intimidated by the pup at all. In time, it think you will grow to love Brandy maybe even AS MUCH as you loved Rachael, but you could never love her MORE.

Congratulations on the arrival of your new (daughter). Please post a pic of her as soon as you can....we'd all love to she what she looks like.

__Jim

Cheri, I hope you will have many wonderful years with Brandy and we all know she will never repalce Rachael but she will give you a lot of love too. Try not to let any of the guilt spill over and ruin the joy and love that you should have with Brandy.

My sister swears that her fur baby she lost at 13 years old lives in her new fur baby. She said they do so much alike and she sees the same traits in them. Who knows I guess anything is possible. Oh my husband says he believes our new schnauzer puppy has taken on the ways of Chili Bean. It does sound strange but all of my family has noticed it.

Take care and love that new puppy with all your heart and don't feel guilty for wanting or needing the kind of love you had with Rachael.
Ann

Thank you ALL for posting. I know how crazy it seems, but I just needed to write it out and see what your feelings were.

Steve, you're right about labs They are such loving and sweet creatures. Danny has had no problems accepting Brandy. The ONLY time I have seen him even growl at her, was when he reached his limit with her jumping up on him and biting on his ears and neck. I certainly understood his aggrevation! You did remind me though that since they are such loving animals, that Rachael would be delighted to see Brandy join our family.

JT, I'm glad to see that someone else has experienced this too! We live in a large older home, and there are millions of places to go lay down. Even after Rachael passed, Danny has never laid in the same places. It just blows me away that after the first day Brandy started laying in ALL the SAME places that Rachale did! Not just one or two now, but she seems to go lay in MANY of the same places that Rachael did.

Jim, you made alot of sense to me. I really think that Rachale's spirit shines through ME. Brandy is her own little loving furgirl. She MUST pick up or sense Rachael around the house or feel Rachael through ME. Yes, that seems to make sense to me, thank you! I also can't thank you enough for requesting a picture of her! I do feel like a new proud mommy, so I just LOVE when someone is interested in my new daughter

Ann, once again I am amazed that with all your latest sorrows, you are still able to offer such comfort to us all. Again, I am SO glad to discover that others have felt what I have been feeling. There are just such obvious similarities, that at times Brandy will do something and my husband and I will look at each other and just shake our heads. She is JUST as smart as my Rachael too! We had her house-trained in two days!!!! Rachael was just as smart when I trained her. My husband just taught her to "Sit" last night in 15 minutes! It's all just SO much like my super smart little Rachael. I just kept wondering if Rachael was somewhere inside her. Brandy is now my fifth labrador, and all the others just didn't act anything like this until my Rachael came along.

Thanks again to EVERYONE! I am still struggling with some guilt, and I think it's so strong because Brandy is SO much like Rachael. However, maybe after spending all those years with Rachael, I am sending off something that Brandy is picking up.

God Bless yoou all!
Cheri

As the time passes you will be glad to embrace Brandy. I can tell you first hand that Labs are so personable and love to please you. They are understanding and respond to your emotions. Moose was the first lab that i have ever had....it was a bueatiful experience, he is what helped me through losing my parents..........I beleive God gave him to me for that. Pamela