Real hard time
Real hard time
I just joined today so I hope it's ok to post this. I lost my dog Rebel just before Christmas last year and I am having a really hard time as it gets close to Dec. I have two other dogs and two kittys but I miss my boy so much and I want him back so bad. I feel him near me but everyone here thinks I am mad when I say that.
Re: Real hard time
Please know that you're not alone. We lost our sweet dog, Roxy, last March and I miss her terribly. With Thanksgiving approaching, my heart aches for her. She was always a big part of the holidays, patiently waiting for her share of the turkey. Changes in the seasons and holidays are potent times and can remind us of the loss of those we love deeply and can make the missing of them seem unbearable.
There are those who speak of "heart dogs". Roxy was my heart dog and it sounds like Rebel was yours. Grieving can take many forms and can affect us all in many different ways. With some of us, the loss of a loved one can take a long time to find resolution. I'm not convinced that I will ever get to the point where I will no longer miss Roxy with all my heart. She was a very special dog and in many ways, she is still here with me and will always be.
Sometimes, some of our friends don't understand the depth of love we have for a dog we've lost. The depth of pain in loosing a dear friend is in relationship to depth of love and when we love a dog deeply, the pain of loss can last a very long time.
It's okay to remember and miss Rebel. I feel Roxy's spirit around me all the time and I know it will always be that way.
You and Rebel are in my heart and prayers.
Jim
There are those who speak of "heart dogs". Roxy was my heart dog and it sounds like Rebel was yours. Grieving can take many forms and can affect us all in many different ways. With some of us, the loss of a loved one can take a long time to find resolution. I'm not convinced that I will ever get to the point where I will no longer miss Roxy with all my heart. She was a very special dog and in many ways, she is still here with me and will always be.
Sometimes, some of our friends don't understand the depth of love we have for a dog we've lost. The depth of pain in loosing a dear friend is in relationship to depth of love and when we love a dog deeply, the pain of loss can last a very long time.
It's okay to remember and miss Rebel. I feel Roxy's spirit around me all the time and I know it will always be that way.
You and Rebel are in my heart and prayers.
Jim
Re: Real hard time
Thanks Jim. It is a real comfort that others understand. I am sorry that you lost your Roxy and know how much you hurt. Rebel was one of a kind.I love my other fur babies but yes Rebel was my " Heart dog " What a lovely expression, not one I have heard before.
Anne
Anne
Re: Real hard time
Anne, I second everything Jim has said. The holidays (and anniversaries) are exceptionally difficult for many of us. If it helps, shower your other pets with all of your love and affection, for they need you too and you may find your heart become stronger for feeling (and giving) that unconditional love again.
I'm so sorry about your loss, Rebel sounds like a wonderful dog who touched your life profoundly. (((HUGS)))
I'm so sorry about your loss, Rebel sounds like a wonderful dog who touched your life profoundly. (((HUGS)))
..........Traci
Re: Real hard time
This is rather late to post this, but I'm just getting back to posting.
Many of us have been there, myself included, so you're not mad..you have plenty of company. There's nothing silly or crazy about missing Rebel, or wishing you could have him back. Those of us who understand and have had the same feelings understand.
I lost my two girls within six weeks of each other..Jezebel on 9/9/03 and Miss Jingles on 10/28/03, which left me with not another soul in the house.
I was tired from a long ordeal with Jingles and her fight against degenerative myelopathy, then Jezzy became ill in August, and I found out she had cancer. I didn't know what a decent night's sleep was for months on end, but knowing I was going to lose both my girls before the holidays, saddened me as it was always a "big thing" for the girls.
The Christmas tree I had was one I bought in 1986, shortly after I rescued Jingles as a puppy, and she loved that tree. Every year when I would put it up with a ton of lights and decorations, she would either sit and look at it, or lay down by it. I basically put it up for her and then Jezzy too.
The last thing I said to Jingles as she was slipping away was "look for your Christmas tree this year, and all the lights outside you loved..they will be for you." I had to force myself to put up the decorations inside and outside, but somehow it lifted my spirits somewhat. However, when I started to put up her tree, it just didn't feel right to me, and I took it down.
Instead of that tree, I put up two small, but pretty artificial blue spruces. One I decorated as a "memorial tree" just for my girls. It had several tiny dog angels on it, and two decorated bone ornaments with each of their names, that a crafter friend made for me the year prior. I also had small colored lights on it, and a gold chain garland. Underneath the tree, I placed each of their wooden mahogany urns with their collars on top. I also bought a small, pretty votive which I lit each night. Somehow, the memorial tree which was special and just for them seemed more appropriate. It made me feel better, because I was doing something special for them for the holidays, as I had always done. I plan to put up this special tree every Christmas, along with my other tree.
I felt their presence during the Holiday season, and I know they did see their special tree.
I am sorry about your loss of Rebel. Hang on to all those great memories you have, as they will help ease the sadness.
Many of us have been there, myself included, so you're not mad..you have plenty of company. There's nothing silly or crazy about missing Rebel, or wishing you could have him back. Those of us who understand and have had the same feelings understand.
I lost my two girls within six weeks of each other..Jezebel on 9/9/03 and Miss Jingles on 10/28/03, which left me with not another soul in the house.
I was tired from a long ordeal with Jingles and her fight against degenerative myelopathy, then Jezzy became ill in August, and I found out she had cancer. I didn't know what a decent night's sleep was for months on end, but knowing I was going to lose both my girls before the holidays, saddened me as it was always a "big thing" for the girls.
The Christmas tree I had was one I bought in 1986, shortly after I rescued Jingles as a puppy, and she loved that tree. Every year when I would put it up with a ton of lights and decorations, she would either sit and look at it, or lay down by it. I basically put it up for her and then Jezzy too.
The last thing I said to Jingles as she was slipping away was "look for your Christmas tree this year, and all the lights outside you loved..they will be for you." I had to force myself to put up the decorations inside and outside, but somehow it lifted my spirits somewhat. However, when I started to put up her tree, it just didn't feel right to me, and I took it down.
Instead of that tree, I put up two small, but pretty artificial blue spruces. One I decorated as a "memorial tree" just for my girls. It had several tiny dog angels on it, and two decorated bone ornaments with each of their names, that a crafter friend made for me the year prior. I also had small colored lights on it, and a gold chain garland. Underneath the tree, I placed each of their wooden mahogany urns with their collars on top. I also bought a small, pretty votive which I lit each night. Somehow, the memorial tree which was special and just for them seemed more appropriate. It made me feel better, because I was doing something special for them for the holidays, as I had always done. I plan to put up this special tree every Christmas, along with my other tree.
I felt their presence during the Holiday season, and I know they did see their special tree.
I am sorry about your loss of Rebel. Hang on to all those great memories you have, as they will help ease the sadness.
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Magnum's Mom
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2003 11:05 pm
Re: Real hard time
I'm sorry you lost Zexebel and Miss Jingles. I remember you once said you have a younger dog so you won't be alone when your older dog passes away. Losing both so close together too difficult.
You survived the holidays as did all of us who lost their heart dog. It just wasn't the fun and celebration it used to be. I've got Athena and a cat named Tiger, but miss Magnum and can't believe he went to the bridge 3.5 years ago. It hurts as though it were only yesterday.
Hope spring will come soon and bring you happiness.
You survived the holidays as did all of us who lost their heart dog. It just wasn't the fun and celebration it used to be. I've got Athena and a cat named Tiger, but miss Magnum and can't believe he went to the bridge 3.5 years ago. It hurts as though it were only yesterday.
Hope spring will come soon and bring you happiness.
Re: Real hard time
Thank you Magnum's Mom. I never ever thought I would be losing Jezebel. Her sudden illness was totally unexpected, and she went downhill at breakneck speed. This happened when Jingles was in the very late stages of her disease, and I knew the time was coming when I would have to PTS her too. However, Jingles lived one heck of a long life, and for her to battle DM for as long as she did, and to be able to keep her upright until a few days before her death, was remarkable.Magnum's Mom wrote:I'm sorry you lost Zexebel and Miss Jingles. I remember you once said you have a younger dog so you won't be alone when your older dog passes away. Losing both so close together too difficult.
You survived the holidays as did all of us who lost their heart dog. It just wasn't the fun and celebration it used to be. I've got Athena and a cat named Tiger, but miss Magnum and can't believe he went to the bridge 3.5 years ago. It hurts as though it were only yesterday.
Hope spring will come soon and bring you happiness.
My girls found a new companion for me shortly after New Years, and her name is Sasha. I had no immediate plans for a new dog, and was getting caught up on a lot of stuff around the house that I had no time for, for months, due to all of Jingles' care, which took up any spare time I had, but I didn't care..I owed her that.
I posted the link to Sasha's page which is all photos in the poll thread Mary Plummer started today. Will post it here for you too. She's a great dog, has a load of energy and is a delight to own.
http://www.thedogladybarks.com/meetsasha.html
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Magnum's Mom
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2003 11:05 pm
Re: Real hard time
Sasha is beautiful. I've been looking at German Shepherds lately. My first dog, Achilles, was a German Shepherd. The straight up ears are great. Hope you have a long, happy life together.