In Loving Memory of Little Man
September 22, 1992---August 18, 2004

Today is your 12th birthday but it is also the five week anniversary of your passing from this earth. I'm happy because I remember all your previous birthdays and all the great times we had together. But I'm also sad because I miss you so terribly. You were only about four months old when you came into my life a bit unexpectedly and there you stayed for almost twelve years. If you were still here on earth on this special day, I would do lots of special things for you; but since you are not, I must do something a little different this year.

First of all, I wanted to do something to honor your memory. I ordered you a momument last week, (though it'll be about two weeks before it's ready)--and I think you'll like it. It will serve as a reminder to all who see it that you once graced this world with your presence and that you were much loved in life and greatly missed in death. And secondly, I made a donation in honor of your memory to this website because I believe you had a (paw) in helping me find this site because you knew I was going to need a lot of help from some very special people to help me cope with the pain of losing you.

I also wanted to take this time to thank God for lending you to me for almost twelve years. He knew I needed your love, but I also believe he used you as a tool to show me what love really is and how to determine what's really important in life and what's not. (A big thank you to Patti, (gingerspal) for helping me to realize this)

I suppose the kind of love you and I had for each other is a tough act to follow for any other prospects----human or animal. Your journey here on earth has ended---mine hasn't. So with a heavy heart and a weary mind, I must continue my journey without my best friend walking by my side. I carry you in my heart now, but my journey is much more lonesome than it used to be. But then I try to imagine what my life would have been like if I had never known you and that's when I remember what a precious gift from God you were and how having you enriched my life more than I could have ever hoped for. If it was indeed your purpose here on earth to show me what love is, then I must congratulate you, Little Man, on a job well done.

Happy 12th birthday, Little Man. I MISS YOU! I send you all my love and a heartfelt thank you for always being there for me during the most difficult times of my life. But most of all, thank you for being my best friend. I'll always cherish your memory and the love you gave so freely.

Jim,
My heart goes out to you today. I know how hard it must be. What a wonderful idea about the Memorial. Zoey was such a huge part of your life and now you just want to shout to the world how special your "little man" was. I too made a donation to this website as I know my Dieter sent me here to find others with love and compasion to see us through this transition that we all will make one day.

My husband and I talk about how our dogs are from God, with a love not unlike God, and now they have just been called home. I thank God every day for the time I had with Dieter, because he too, taught me so much about love and truly allowed me to open my heart to the experience, knowing one day I'd be shattered when he was gone. There is a grand plan in place that our human minds cannot comprehend, but I do belive that there is a time and purpose for everything and for us it was God's time to call Zoey and Dieter back because he needed them. I also want to thank you for your support as I walk this walk with you.

Happy Birthday Zoey "Little Man".

{{{{{{Jim}}}}}}
With Love
Libby

Hi Jim
What a nice way to remember Little Man. I'm so glad you were able to put a picture up of him so everyone can see what a beautiful little boy he is. He is watching over you and will always be with you. I still miss my Max so much. I have a new puppy now, but nothing at all has changed about my feelings for Max. I haven't bonded with the new puppy yet. I keep thinking that it should be Max doing these things still. It really comforts me to know that Little Man and Max went over the rainbow bridge together. They will have each other forever.
My thoughts are with you on this special day and a special birthday wish for Zoey.

Carol

Hey, your little man has the same birthday as me! Happy birthday to him from his "birthday buddy".

He was a gorgeous dog. Thanks for posting his photo.

I'm sure the birthdays are hard. Luba's isn't til April 29th, she had the same birthday as my mother!

Hi Jim,

Your words are so true, that is the way I feel too, that Jake taught me what real love is -- love of life, unshakeable love of his other pack members (me!!), loyalty, sweetness to the end, never a bad day with him.

It may sound a little insane, but I want to be more like my dog.

very nice tribute, Happy Birthday Zoey

Dear Jim,
What a handsome pair, you two! I really can not decide which one of you is better looking!
Jim, as you have written so beautifully in your post..we were the "students", weren't we??...I have heard that..."when the student is ready, the teacher will appear!". In our cases it was your little man and my ginger. We didn't know it at the time but we know it now.
I love your photos, thanks for sharing them with us!--little man is so precious..no wonder he stole your heart.
I hope when you get the monument you will photograph it and show it to us..we would love to see it!
Happy Birthday, little man, Jim's best friend, your light will never be extinguished...!!
Love,
Patti

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOEY!!!!!

That is one of the most sensitive and heartfelt tributes I have read. Happy Birthday little man...

A Beautiful Tribute to a wonderful best friend and teacher. I never heard that saying "when a student is ready, the teacher will appear." Wonderful and I will keep it in mind when thinking of my boy and best friend (besides my husband). Please do take a picture of your monument to Zoey we would love to see it. Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZOEY!!!! Be happy, Zoey with your accoploshment(sp?) with your best friend you did a wonderful job enhancing his life!!
HAPPY B-DAY, again
Chrissy

Indiana "Indy" Jones
April 1990 - May 2004
You will always be in my heart!!!!

Jim,
First of all, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ZOEY,(littleman), you truly are a very handsome dude, i only wish i could show you how beautiful my littlebit was. I really believe that if it weren't for all of you helping me get through this, i would have withered away, some time i still feel that way, but i know littlebit wouldn't have wanted to see me in that manner, so i have to go on for her. Thank you Jim for helping me, you, patti and several others have done wonders for me, i can't help but think, you share my beautiful littlebits birthday August 16th, so not only do i feel more comfort knowing that i am not alone in this, regardless of littlebit passing on my birthday, but i know that i will get through it, and just know that i wish i were online yesterday (zoey's birthday) to offer you all the support that you have given to me, once again, my hats off to all of you who pulled me through a horrible time in my life, i will be eternally grateful.
Sherry

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to thank all of you for helping me wish Little Man a happy birthday and for all of your kind words of support. Overall, I made it through his birhday pretty well---a few smiles, a few tears, but I tried to stay pretty busy and not dwell too much on thinking about how much I miss him.

Today has been a different story. Those of you who have read my "tribute" to Little Man in the "tribute, memorial," section of this website are familiar with the story of how I built him a box to sit in while we were riding the tractor around the farm to do various jobs. I haven't used that tractor since I lost Little Man. I have a newer one (the regular seat was big enough for both of us when we used it) and I've have been using that one. I keep the old one in the barn with a tarp over it to keep it from getting dusty. It's kind of a family heirloom, which I inherited from my grandpa. This morning the newer tractor wouldn't start so I went to the barn to get the old one. When I pulled the tarp off it and crawled onto the seat, I looked to my right and there was that little box with the pillow in it and I just "lost it." I sat there and cried like a baby. It was uncontrollable. I didn't think I had been holding any feelings back over his loss, but apparently I had been.

After it was all over, I felt much better. I guess it was the "healing" kind of cry that I have heard other posters speak of. Maybe that means I'm one step further with the grieving process. I did manage to use the tractor to do my work and after I finished, I thought I should remove the little box---that maybe that would help bring some closure, but I just couldn't do it. I'm just not ready yet. I guess I'll know when the time is right---if ever.

I think the reason I'm having such a hard time with his loss is because he was with me 24/7. He was always with me inside the house, but he also was with me while I did my work outside. Even when I went into town to get feed, supplies, etc., he was with me, sitting in the seat of the pick-up with me--not in the back. He was my best buddy, always there by my side and even now, I am constantly "looking" for him and expecting him to be there. It makes me feel so empty and incomplete when I don't see him there.

It was a bad day and I guess I needed to vent a little. It does help so much to just talk about how I feel. And it helped a great deal to hear from all of you.

Libby, (Dieter'smom) I liked the comment: "There's a grand plan in place that our human minds cannot comprehend." I believe that too. We always try to "make sense" of everything, but some things will only be understood when the grand plan unfolds. "I walk this walk with you" was also comforting to hear. Thank you.

Carol. You lost Max the same day I lost Little Man. I like what you said about them going over the bridge together--how they'll have each other and be buddies forever. That is a comforting thought, and since they were both Lhasa's, they have a lot in common. I wish I had a picture to show you of Little Man after he had just come from the groomer. He looked so much like the picture you have posted of Max.

Steph. Thanks for all you words of support. For some reason I find just looking at the pic you have posted of your beautiful Luba comforting. That face has personality! How did you come to name her Luba? I like the name, but I've never heard it before.

j4lorn. It was good to hear you feel the same way about Jake as I did Little Man. I think the world would be a better place if people were more like their (pets)---it doesn't sound insane to me at all.

Patti. I agree with Chrissy, I had never heard the phrase " When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." That is so true. Yes, we were the students and we were incredibly blessed to have had such great teachers. I'm so thankful you are a "regular" here on LS--you always know just what to say and you have helped so many of us. God Bless You!

Stymy's mom. (Vic) You have been very supportive of my loss and were one of the first to respond when I came here for help. You've helped more than you know and I haven't ruled out the advice you gave me in your email. (no, I don't think you're a nut) I hope you'll post a pic of Stymy someday so we can all see what he looks like.

DJ. I recently read some of your previous posts and I must say I'm completely in awe of you. You are a wise person and have the uncanny ability to see "the big picture". When we begin to feel sorry for ourselves, you serve as an inspiration to us all. We should all have your outlook on life.

Chrissy. Many thanks to you for all your help. I like the pic of your Indy too. Indiana Jones--that name just "fits." I've read some of your past posts about him and you seem to have come a long way. I'm glad you're still here to help the rest of us.

littlebit'smom. The way you lost littlebit was a true tragedy. The way you found this website was a little strange too. But you found us and I'm glad we could help you and you are now helping others too. Thanks for your support. I'm looking forward to seeing littlebit's pic.

Once again, thanks to all of you for all you help. You have each helped in your own way and I am truly thankful to have your support.

__Jim