Horseart Loc: Alabama

No, the pain does not go away. We simply realize some day that there is nothing we can do about it and we finally accept it.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Thank you so much. I appreciate your kindness.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Thank you for your kind comments. You know how it hurts to lose these babies, I can tell.

Miker999

After Bailey passed away, we waited many months and then my wife said "Bailey said she is on a good place andbwould want us to give another dog a good life. That's when we got Benji. The first time we saw him, other than a photo, was when we picked him up at the vets at 8wks old.
He was all black then slowly the top of his head turned white (Bailey was a white Bichon)
I truly believe that the time will come that you will know your Little Shadow will want you to give another dog a good life and he knows you will never forget him.
"We rescued Benji and he rescued us"

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I'd have to think long and hard before I'd ever consider having another one because I am so old, I don't want to worry about what would happen to it if I went first and had to leave it for who knows what might happen to it..

Miker999

That is serious. They may think they were abandoned by us. I'm 65 and Benji is our last.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

My son and DIL just adopted a little Pomeranian that was found wandering the streets and hungry. No one knows his story but he is the saddest little dog I have ever seen. He just wants to be held all the time and snuggles up to anyone who walks in.

Miker999

He's afraid of being abandoned again. We were told it can take a rescue 4 months, or longer, to work through their issues and really feel safe.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

Sorry for your loss. Our hearts can be broken, but they do recover

Horseart Loc: Alabama

It might for most dogs but it took Carson about 2 weeks to realize he was safe, loved and THE BOSS! The house became his and he ruled it well.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Thank you, and you are 100% correct. I used to think the best thing to do was to fill that empty hole in your heart by getting another dog immediately, but not this time.Now I would worry about what would happen to it if I went first.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

My wife has said no more pets, we are getting too old. Our two dogs are 14 and 16. Tara is an Irish Shorty Jack Russell and Toby is a Golden Shih Tzu. She has told me, "You had better outlive Tara. I don't think I can take it if you die first." When I leave the house she goes to the gate to wait, unless it is cold or raining, and she will bark and howl off and on until I return. If it gets too bad, Debra lets her into the main part of the house and they hang out together. I guess Mama is almost a substitute for Papa.
I have had Tara since she was 7 weeks. It was January, and I was already retired, so she and I spent the day together in the house, and she slept between us on the bed until June when it was warm, and she was big enough to go out on the patio to live in the dog house Debra's sister gave us. Not only that, but I made her a doggy door into the playroom, and that dog house got given to someone else because the only thing that lived in it was spiders. Tara slept in the playroom next to my chair and spent the day supervising me and keeping the squirrels from raiding my bird feeders. Then when Tara was 1 yo we got Toby, who the vet said was about 3. He is Debra's dog, we were his third owners we know of, and apparently he was neglected - just left in the yard on his own. Here he found he could live in the house, sort of, go play in the yard when he wanted, and I always keep the food and water dishes filled. He just has to put up with Tara being a bit "bossy". A bit? She makes Ming the Merciless look casual.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I often told people I had a Yorkshire Terrorist, because Carson was very bossy. His personality was different from any dog I had ever had. He didn't barks at strangers, dogs, cats or anything. The only time he barked was when he was hungry, out of water or when HE decided it was time to go to bed. he had to be in my lap every time I sat down. I was Carson's second owner and he was badly neglected, but after he found out that he could have ALL of my attention, he was so happy. He was also very tough. If he fell off of a chair or the bed and hit the floor, all 2 pounds of him just got up and walked off like nothing happened. No whining, crying, not even a yelp. He never complained about anything. If someone came to visit, he wouldn't run away from them but he wouldn't go to them, he just got in his bed and napped until they left. If someone brought their dog with them, he ignored it too.
It's so amazing to see how quickly they wiggle their way into our hearts and how quickly we can spoil them. We love them so because they are so loyal and their love for us is so real and so flawless.
It's not that I'd never want another one, it's just that I'd worry about where it would wind up if I should go first. It's terrible to come home and not have him run to meet me when I open the door, but there comes a time when things change and we must get used to it simply because there is no other choice. I hope everyone here keeps their furbabies well snuggled. I have a feeling that you and Debra do!!!

Miker999

Special...and probably spoiled!
It seems that he trained you well!

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Indeed he did.