It has been one month since my dear old dog died. She has been with me for 15 years. I cannot remember any of my adult life without her. She was old when Grace died and I remember asking her to stay alive because I needed her, I could not lose anything or anyone else. She stayed with me through those horrible early days of grief, my entire pregnancy with Rosabella and even got to meet my little miss. I have a picture of her playing with Rosabella (or tolerating Rosabella pulling on her collar) the day before she passed. The next day she could no longer get up, her body had finally given out after struggling for years. I know that she held on for me, I know that she was ready because she knew that I could go on without her now. Being a veterinarian I sent her to Grace in our living room surrounded by those who loved her.

I miss her so much. I hope that she is with Grace caring for and protecting her, the way she cared for and protected me all these years. I know that losing your dog is nothing compared to losing your baby, but it still sucks. Thanks for listening

Hi Grace's Mom-
I am so very, very sorry that your sweet pup is not with you now. It sounds like she was so lucky to have you for a mom, and that you gave her a great life and the mercy of a gentle , loving going out.

I still miss my dog, Michie. We nursed her thru a year of failing kidneys and seven days before we found out that AdiaRose was with us she reached the end of her run. Not only did she give us the gift of her life with us, and her love and companionship, she also made the death of a loved one very concrete for our older daughter. Then she came back to visit, once as an invisible presence and once in a very lucid dream, letting us know that she is just fine, and that the love survives even the seperation of death. These events were comforting at the time of my deepest sorrow over missing her, and something I remembered after AdiaRose died and I felt my baby's absence so utterly and painfully. I got the sense that Michie had known she should go ahead, so she would be there to meet AdiaRose.

How lovely that your sweet doggie was able to bridge both of your daughters lives and be there to provide comfort to you as only a sweet dog knows how to do. I sorely missed Michie's comforting presence for all of us after AdiaRose died, but felt comforted that at least they were together. I am sure your doggie is with Grace right now.

With lots of love to you,
Jen

Graces Mom! Jen! Old pals! Long time no type! I know I hav no business being in the parenting thread, but I like to check in on my old friends.

Graces Mom - I'm so sorry you dear friend is gone! I remember talking dog stuff with you in the dreamers thread. I never would have understood the grief at the death of a pet until we got Nellie (after Mira). It will be terrible when she dies. She is such a good pal. Only having her for 2 years I don't yet know what it's like to have a companion for as long as you had yours. I'm so sorry. It's so sweet that she hung on for you. What a love.

Grace's Mom - I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear pup. It warms my heart to hear how much love you had for each other and how she hung with you through Grace's loss and welcoming Rosabella. I can relate wholeheartedly to your thoughts with regards to her through Grace's loss. We have an 18 year old cat who is in fairly good health, but is definitely aging (she's now deaf and her eyesight is fading...along with some creaky joints). I told her several times after Alice died that I needed her to hang on for awhile. She's been with me my whole adult life - through law school, dating, marriage, depression, my horrible law firm job, etc. She's been the one consistent thing in my life over time, really. So, I am raising a mental glass to your dear love and thanking her for being with you for all this time. Our animals are true gifts. I'm so sorry she had to leave but am grateful you were able to give her such a good life and dignified transition. Much peace and energy to you, DH and Rosabella during this time. Remembering Grace with you as well (dreading February myself right now).

Sending a big hug to you, Grace's Mom.

Hugs Grace's Mom, I'm glad your pup was around when you needed her most and that she got to know both girls in some way.
xoxo

Hi Grace's Mom, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved pup. Our animals love us so well, and sense so much about us. I'm glad she was able to stand by you and comfort you. It sounds like she lived a long, full life and I love the image of her caring for and protecting Grace. XO

Im so sorry for you. I think grief can trigger grief. We had a similar experience as jen did. With our cat passing shortly before our son. Even to this day, our older daughter will say she misses our cat when I am visibly grieving. I thanked our cat...he helped our living children grasp the concept of their brother's death.

I will offer this - please disregard what I say if it isn't something you believe. One of my living children speaks about having visits from his little brother Ethan. The first time he spoke of these visits he told me this...you know mom, ethan told me there is a people heaven, an animal heaven and a baby heaven. So, I like to think your pup and your baby are safe together.

Thank you all so much for your kind words. Yes grief triggers grief. I find myself grieving Grace more the last few weeks, and as I approach her 2nd Birthday I feel a sense of heaviness. Audrey was the dog of a lifetime and I feel so blessed that I got to share so much of my life with her. And Annie I don't know if I believe in Heaven, but I do believe that Grace and Audrey are together someplace safe and warm waiting for me.

Oh Grace's mom, I've been wondering how you are. I'm so sorry to read about Audrey - I remember how much she meant to you.

I'll be thinking of you as Grace's second birthday approaches. Our Grace's second birthday in November was definitely easier than the previous year. But the improvement was from a low base, if you know what I mean. It was and is still so achingly difficult to believe that she was here and then gone, and that we somehow go on without her.

Sending you, your DH and sweet Rosabella love and light. And remembering Grace always

xxx

Grace's Mom,
I'm sorry you're going through a period of deeper grief these days. I know what it's like. At least, I think I know. Malak's anniversary is in March and my heart has been heavier for a couple of weeks now. The grief still takes me by surprise.

My son decided we should get a spider crab as a pet because he learned they can live 100 years and he can't bear the idea that our dear dog (who has been adopted by a friend....it's a long story...) is going to die before we do. At first, he was worried my friend was going to die and then who was going to look after her? Then, I had to tell him that our dog is quite old and that she is going to die in a couple of years. (It sounds terribly heartless of me, but now death is part of vocabulary unfortunately.)

Thinking of you,

Grace's Mom - I just read this and I am so sorry for your loss. It is a very hard experience to loss your beloved Audrey. DH and I have pangs of worry just thinking one day our dog will die. It's so amazing that she journeyed with you all the way to Rosabella -what a gift you were to each other. I do believe they are safe and waiting for you. Sending tender thoughts as I know the waves are sadness come for both Audrey and Grace.