I don't get it Update: page 3

[HopperFan]

Loved your story. At first I was reading and just couldn't relate to that and why are you telling us that ... in the end I'm so glad you experienced that wonderful part of life.

I have found the last few vacations have been VERY hard to go on. I am away right now and keep texting my son to see how my baby (16 year old chihuahua/rat terrier) is doing. He's slowed down so much lately, losing hearing and sight, bad heart and I worry about him every time I walk out the door. I need to be with him when the time comes. Our other dog we lost March 2022. I slept with her for a month, never left her side, we were all there when she went ... I am so afraid he will go when I am gone.

They are family with unconditional love.

 

[Lori74]

I wanted to share our new family member. Her name is Luna. It took quite a while for us to be ready after losing Nala. It's been bittersweet, we've had her for a couple of months now. We are working hard with her and slowly we're seeing her learn. I've been discouraged and overwhelmed with her at times and try to remember if Nala gave the same challenges. I'm sure she did, I've just forgotten the early days of having a new baby.
Thank you everyone for all of your support and encouragement!

 

[HopperFan]

I wanted to share our new family member. Her name is Luna. It took quite a while for us to be ready after losing Nala. It's been bittersweet, we've had her for a couple of months now. We are working hard with her and slowly we're seeing her learn. I've been discouraged and overwhelmed with her at times and try to remember if Nala gave the same challenges. I'm sure she did, I've just forgotten the early days of having a new baby.
Thank you everyone for all of your support and encouragement!

She is beautiful!

I think we totally forget what a puppy is like. We got a new puppy after losing our 12 year old dog who we got as an even younger age. At first I was like this dog has too much energy, too noisy, too much ... but she was just being a puppy and we had forgotten. She is settling down and such a good well trained dog. We just forgot about the work you put in to it.

Loved your story. At first I was reading and just couldn't relate to that and why are you telling us that ... in the end I'm so glad you experienced that wonderful part of life.

I have found the last few vacations have been VERY hard to go on. I am away right now and keep texting my son to see how my baby (16 year old chihuahua/rat terrier) is doing. He's slowed down so much lately, losing hearing and sight, bad heart and I worry about him every time I walk out the door. I need to be with him when the time comes. Our other dog we lost March 2022. I slept with her for a month, never left her side, we were all there when she went ... I am so afraid he will go when I am gone.

They are family with unconditional love.

Well, I lost my baby a few weeks ago at almost 18 years old. THANKFULLY I was home, packing for our WDW trip but home. It happened very quickly (he had a bad heart) and I was able to be with him all day and holding him the last hour. This one is a non-fillable hole.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I think we totally forget what a puppy is like. We got a new puppy after losing our 12 year old dog who we got as an even younger age. At first I was like this dog has too much energy, too noisy, too much ... but she was just being a puppy and we had forgotten. She is settling down and such a good well trained dog. We just forgot about the work you put in to it.

Well, I lost my baby a few weeks ago at almost 18 years old. THANKFULLY I was home, packing for our WDW trip but home. It happened very quickly (he had a bad heart) and I was able to be with him all day and holding him the last hour. This one is a non-fillable hole.

Agree. We got our puppy during quarantine -- the first dog we'd had in over 7 years and 15 years from our last puppy. I'd forgotten -- it was nearly like having a newborn in the house again. I also realized I'm much older than the last time and I didn't have the energy a puppy needs!

She's been our best dog yet, though -- wouldn't change a thing. At four she's much more settled, and the best trained of any of our dogs. However, I don't think I could do a puppy again.

 

[Lori74]

She is beautiful!

I think we totally forget what a puppy is like. We got a new puppy after losing our 12 year old dog who we got as an even younger age. At first I was like this dog has too much energy, too noisy, too much ... but she was just being a puppy and we had forgotten. She is settling down and such a good well trained dog. We just forgot about the work you put in to it.


Well, I lost my baby a few weeks ago at almost 18 years old. THANKFULLY I was home, packing for our WDW trip but home. It happened very quickly (he had a bad heart) and I was able to be with him all day and holding him the last hour. This one is a non-fillable hole.

thank you for reassuring me there is a calm! when i'm getting overwhelmed ppl remind me it will pass, she will settle down and learn. it has definitely been tough, i've had to take some time-outs for sure. she's cut up my arms, dug holes in my yard, eats grass, mulch and chews on rocks. goes a week at a time with no accidents then decides she can't be bothered to wait to squat... i'm older and tired lol. but i'm hanging in there and see glimpses of her learning.
i'm so sorry to hear of your loss!! glad you were there when he left this world. no better place to be than to be in your arms. all my best to you during this time!

 

[Lori74]

Agree. We got our puppy during quarantine -- the first dog we'd had in over 7 years and 15 years from our last puppy. I'd forgotten -- it was nearly like having a newborn in the house again. I also realized I'm much older than the last time and I didn't have the energy a puppy needs!

She's been our best dog yet, though -- wouldn't change a thing. At four she's much more settled, and the best trained of any of our dogs. However, I don't think I could do a puppy again.

i just keep saying 'ok a year from now, i WILL be able to sit on the deck and read a whole page!' i'm trying to look ahead, but im sooo tired!

 

[HopperFan]

thank you for reassuring me there is a calm! when i'm getting overwhelmed ppl remind me it will pass, she will settle down and learn. it has definitely been tough, i've had to take some time-outs for sure. she's cut up my arms, dug holes in my yard, eats grass, mulch and chews on rocks. goes a week at a time with no accidents then decides she can't be bothered to wait to squat... i'm older and tired lol. but i'm hanging in there and see glimpses of her learning.
i'm so sorry to hear of your loss!! glad you were there when he left this world. no better place to be than to be in your arms. all my best to you during this time!

I'll share my DD story with a thought ...

She was looking for a dog, a big dog as she missed our big one who stayed here when she moved to Louisville for her Masters. She met a few and none clicked. She went to meet a black lab mix and I laughed calling him her "sketch dog". She met the people at a tennis court where he was running around. They basically handed her his vet papers and ran off. She was stuck. He was a terror. She would put him in his cage while she went to work and he'd rip his nose up trying to get out. If let out he would destroy just about anything. We visited once after she had moved in to a house, went to dinner and came back to destruction. He ripped plants out of pots, chew up dvd cases, knocked everything over, dirt was everywhere. In my mind he should go to the pound. How would she deal with this? She couldn't leave him in a bedroom, he would chew the wood molding and door (rental). Shortly after she left him and he destroyed the arm of her sofa. A brand new sofabed. She was determined to work through it .... but between school and work she was exhausted by him.

She signed up for obedience classes with him. It was not only good for him but taught her all the commands and posturing for him to obey. He graduated and she then signed up for the next level. He graduated. He is now about 9 years old, the best behaved, the gentlest, most loving good boy ever!! We dog sit him all the time (and his sister) So there is hope, and perhaps look in to obedience classes you both go to so she learns how to work with you and be a good girl! She said it was worth every minute she spent there. He went from a nightmare to the good-est boy EVER!

PS ~ one thing they/she taught him to keep him from chewing was carrying a toy around in his mouth. She used old build a bear and I still keep him supplied from Goodwill (he reduces them to empty bodies). She would say "get your bear" and he picks up and carries around. That is her message to him to NOT put ANYTHING else in your mouth. It worked.

 

[lovesmurfs]

i just keep saying 'ok a year from now, i WILL be able to sit on the deck and read a whole page!' i'm trying to look ahead, but im sooo tired!

It does get better. With our puppy Roxie I just had that same exact feeling going to bed that I used to when I had a newborn -- little/no sleep and wondering what the night would bring.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

Your story brought tears to my eyes and so sorry for your loss. We lost our Gracie almost 2 1/2 years ago. We were actually at the GF when our boarding lady called us that she wasn't doing well. She was my constant companion and shadow. I still miss her to this day.

We still had another golden at home (Annabeth) but the house just seemed empty without her. We actually got another puppy a couple months after she passed. In a weird way, I wanted to have Gracie come back to me with the new puppy. It was probably too soon to get another dog, but it was a little too late for that, lol.

I clearly remember their puppy years through rose-colored glasses bc I was not prepared to the tornado that is Quincy, lol. It was exhausting! But I learned to love her, not as a replacement or "re-incarnation of Gracie", but just simply as Quincy (or as Cujo, which is her nickname lol).

She is 2 years old now and I can safely say that I can sit on my deck and read a book, lol. So there is a light at the end of tunnel.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

And Quinny is the dog in my profile picture. She's looking at me like she's waiting for someone to pour her a nice glass of Chardonnay.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Aww, so sweet! I am chuckling at the picture of you in the chair with dog hairs on your navy pants! My clothes are like that, too! I brushed an amazing amount of hair off my dog yesterday and vacuum frequently, yet that’s how it is. I accept it’s part of having a dog. (I have two, one who doesn’t shed and one who sheds a lot!)

Every time I’ve gotten a new dog after the loss of an older beloved dog, I’ve experienced what you’re feeling. But over time, as they mature and get more accustomed to your routine, those familiar feelings sneak back in, and you realize you love this new dog in ways you didn’t think were possible, too. Young dogs are a lot of work. You forget how easy it is after having older dogs who’ve been with you long term. Try to keep a positive spin on it - she’ll keep you moving and get you out meeting people, etc. Keep her active - a tired dog’s a happy dog, and sleep is a beautiful thing when you just want to enjoy a cup of coffee to yourself. I hope we get to see lots of pictures!

 

[Lori74]

I'll share my DD story with a thought ...

She was looking for a dog, a big dog as she missed our big one who stayed here when she moved to Louisville for her Masters. She met a few and none clicked. She went to meet a black lab mix and I laughed calling him her "sketch dog". She met the people at a tennis court where he was running around. They basically handed her his vet papers and ran off. She was stuck. He was a terror. She would put him in his cage while she went to work and he'd rip his nose up trying to get out. If let out he would destroy just about anything. We visited once after she had moved in to a house, went to dinner and came back to destruction. He ripped plants out of pots, chew up dvd cases, knocked everything over, dirt was everywhere. In my mind he should go to the pound. How would she deal with this? She couldn't leave him in a bedroom, he would chew the wood molding and door (rental). Shortly after she left him and he destroyed the arm of her sofa. A brand new sofabed. She was determined to work through it .... but between school and work she was exhausted by him.

She signed up for obedience classes with him. It was not only good for him but taught her all the commands and posturing for him to obey. He graduated and she then signed up for the next level. He graduated. He is now about 9 years old, the best behaved, the gentlest, most loving good boy ever!! We dog sit him all the time (and his sister) So there is hope, and perhaps look in to obedience classes you both go to so she learns how to work with you and be a good girl! She said it was worth every minute she spent there. He went from a nightmare to the good-est boy EVER!

PS ~ one thing they/she taught him to keep him from chewing was carrying a toy around in his mouth. She used old build a bear and I still keep him supplied from Goodwill (he reduces them to empty bodies). She would say "get your bear" and he picks up and carries around. That is her message to him to NOT put ANYTHING else in your mouth. It worked.

thank you so much!!! i love this story and makes me feel good. there were days i had regrets and what was i thinking moments. but those days are getter fewer and farther between. she is still a maniac, but a few commands we have taught her are sticking and it's a bright light at the end of the tunnel for me. we are in a puppy class right now, and as crazy as i think she is, she kinda is the most behaved of the class. (to be fair i have a pocket of yummy snacks for her sitting nice) all of the commands are slowly coming back to what we learned when nala was in class. it's not fair to compare the dogs, but it's all I've got to go by. some of nala's weaknesses are her strengths and vice versa. i just need to practice patience and keep telling myself it will get better.
i love the carrying the toy trick, i would like to try teaching that when we have company. that's where i'm having a very hard time is with company. she is crazy jumping and throwing her 24 lbs+ around. the people that do come over and can successfully ignore her until she calms down she does great, but the ppl that cannot do that, she's crazy. it's a work in progress. did i mention how tired i am?! haha

 

[Lori74]

And Quinny is the dog in my profile picture. She's looking at me like she's waiting for someone to pour her a nice glass of Chardonnay.

soooo beautiful!! im sorry to hear about gracie. it's been almost 2 years without nala and the ache is so real.

 

[Lori74]

It does get better. With our puppy Roxie I just had that same exact feeling going to bed that I used to when I had a newborn -- little/no sleep and wondering what the night would bring.

yes definitely!

 

[Lori74]

Aww, so sweet! I am chuckling at the picture of you in the chair with dog hairs on your navy pants! My clothes are like that, too! I brushed an amazing amount of hair off my dog yesterday and vacuum frequently, yet that’s how it is. I accept it’s part of having a dog. (I have two, one who doesn’t shed and one who sheds a lot!)

Every time I’ve gotten a new dog after the loss of an older beloved dog, I’ve experienced what you’re feeling. But over time, as they mature and get more accustomed to your routine, those familiar feelings sneak back in, and you realize you love this new dog in ways you didn’t think were possible, too. Young dogs are a lot of work. You forget how easy it is after having older dogs who’ve been with you long term. Try to keep a positive spin on it - she’ll keep you moving and get you out meeting people, etc. Keep her active - a tired dog’s a happy dog, and sleep is a beautiful thing when you just want to enjoy a cup of coffee to yourself. I hope we get to see lots of pictures!

thank you so much, its been tough. the other day though i realized we had a really good day. she put the side of her head against my leg and just sat there. i'm like 'i love you too girl'.

 

[goofyernmost]

After reading the OP's post, it got me thinking. I like animals and most of the like me, but I did have one experience as a pre-teen that I think must have jaded me for life. I was riding my bike and I apparently got to close to someone's house and was attacked by a rather large dog. I was bitten by the dog on the butt and even though, I was terrified because rabies was a big thing back then, I never told anyone about it because the bite location was to embarrassing.

After that I always kept a wide distance from any dog and never had a desire to own one. Both my daughters currently have a dog and they both seem to worship them. I get along well with both the animals, but in spite of my girls always telling me that now that I live alone I should acquire one for companionship. Nope, as much as I might like the dogs, I have absolutely no desire to have another living thing that requires my constant attention and a whole lot of my money. I cannot tell you how much money they have spent on caring for those animals. They even have Health Insurance for the dogs because Veterinarian prices have gotten so high and they have as much specialized help for whatever ailment those animals have.

My youngest and her husband treat the dog like they did their son as he grew up. There are dog beds in every room in the house and even an outside one. The dog is a Pit but one of the most loving dogs I have ever seen, especially to kids, but does have a highly protective attitude when it comes to other dogs. They are not allow within sight of her. She is about 11 years old now and her age is showing. She recently had surgery for Cancer and is getting injections to help ease up her arthritis. They are starting to get emotionally braced for her eventual passing. I know it is going to be a huge emotional upset for both of them and I feel for them. I don't understand it because I'm from an era were dogs were just dogs and not so deeply connected with them.

When my girls were growing up we had a cat and she lived for around 14 years. By the time she left us the kids were grown and married and we had to make the decision to let her go, well, I had to do that. I had to take her to the vets for her final car trip, (which she always hated) but this time there was no return trip. I didn't enjoy the process but within a day, I realized that the condition she was in was not fixable (at the time) and even if it was we couldn't afford it. We had to let her go and both of us got over it quickly and didn't want anymore pets. I know that when my daughters have to let go, it will take them a long time to recover. They look at them as just another one of their children. I can accept it and realize just how important those pets are to them, but I don't think I will ever understand the degree of attachment that they have.

I see so many people that worship their pets and treat their fellow human beings like dirt. Somethings just don't add up to me.

 

[Hisgirl]

What a beautiful and heartfelt post! Thank you for sharing your heart!

A dog's passing is one of life's toughest and longest lasting sadnesses. There's just something about a good dog, how it gets down deep into your heart. There's no judgment, criticisms arguments we need to forgive. They're just there for us, loving us.

That hurt has the potential to hang around a long time and I've found just about the only way to get some healing is to learn to love another critter.

I had a dog, a male english shepherd, who walked in peace and love. When he passed unexpectedly the grief cut to the quick. I cried more over him than I did when my elderly parents passed...on the same day. My heart was saturated over grief for my dog and everything else ran off, even when I got breast cancer three months later. There I was, still grieving for my dog.

After 23 months of pondering and praying, we are getting a little boy, Tug Buttons, on Friday, Lord willing and the creek don't rise (this storm makes that saying so true) Turns out, this pup is my dog's great nephew. That makes me smile.

I hope and pray you find healing and I'm so happy you were able to walk into that place where we're all brushing hair off our pants.