I had to put Sherman (my minature schnauzer) to sleep last November. It has been 9 months and I still miss him. I swore I would never again allow myself to love a pet that much. A vow I broke almost as soon as I made it. Only 3 weeks after Sherman's passing, I bought a little pug. He in no way replaces Sherman but has given me a lot of laughs and comforts. A regular little clown he is. Sherman was my little man for 12 years and will always hold a special place in my heart. I came back to read here because I know the pain all of you are going through and wish I could make it go away for you. I can can tell you that after 9 months, I now remember the good times more than the last few weeks before he died. The guilt is completely gone. I know I did everything I could for him and if I made mistakes along the way, I thought I was doing what was right.

http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/personalt...te.php?ID=62875

Dear ShermansMom,

I understand exactly how you feel. I agree that the new one's don't replace our friends in any way, they simply add new magic and love.

I adopted another dog about six months after my Milo died, and I couldn't be happier about that decision. Mouse has added a whole new dynamic to our household.

Milo's companion Nori is still with me but I'm pretty sure I won't continue as a two dog household when her time to leave me comes. I just don't have the energy to keep up with two naughty "teenagers" anymore.

Finally, your comment that the good times and memories are what we experience after a time was right on point. I've had a very similar experience.

Best to you and your new guy Sharon

Hugz Sherman's mom, you hit the nail on the head about what you said. I cry when I remember Bue's last days, then I laugh when I remember Bue being healthy.

When my cat Twubbles died in 97, I thought I would never recover, but I did. He was the smartess cat I ever encountered in my life. He fetched like a dog, and growled if someone was by the front door. He also liked to box with my hand, he had a south paw (no pun intended) that would make Sugar Ray proud.

Funny story, my roomate did not like Twubbles, and he did not like my roomate.
My roomates g/f made his lunch with those small paper bags, you get about 100 in a bag. She kept them on top of the refridergater. Well Twubby put bite holes in every single bag. Twubbles also stole his lunch one day, and we never found it. Twubbles was an indoor cat, lol.

When I think of the things he did, it makes me laugh, Twubble's, and Bue's pic is over my computer area, but then they were they before they passed also. I included a pic of Twubbles. His name is because he caused trouble, and he was a bit tubby.

Thank you for reminding me about the good times

I think it's a special thing for those who have just lost a beloved pet and are still in that numb, "I can't believe it, I'll never get through it" stage, to come here and read what some folks so generously offer, the wisdom and hope and reality that yes, they will get through it and probably be better and wiser people for their loss. I know I needed to hear that when I lost Magic, and later Groucho, and I know I will lose other pets, but I have found the resources and sympathy and strength and sense of community that helps one through this kind of loss. The most important lesson is that the grief never really goes away, it's always there, but it doesn't and won't overwhelm my life like it used to. And that there are good days and bad days, but the good days will eventually outnumber the bad, and soon I will be able to smile at the goofy things Magic did or how Groucho ate like a pig. Just like the seasons, those days change, from overwhelming grief to grat*itude that I knew those special cats.

I agree with Bue's mommy - thanks for reminding us about the good times. We don't remember them often enough.