In Honour Of Stumpy's Birthday

As many of you already know, my little pal Stumpy a delightful corgiXborder collie cross "ran on ahead" 6 weeks ago. Today would have been his 17th birthday. To honour his memory, and the memories of all our companions I wonder if anyone and everyone reading this could take a moment today, say around 3 p.m. EST and spend that time concentrating on one really happy memory of his or her companion animal, or spend it hugging/grooming/playing with a four-legged friend whose company here you cherish.
Just imagine all of us; smiling at one time. Isn't that the best tribute we could possibly give our absent friends?
Thanks everyone.
lauree

2 Steps Forward; 1 Back

I know, I know........when it comes to Grief, "normal" is whatever works for any given individual. I can respect that when I see it in others, but I'm having quite a time dealing with this roller-coaster I seem to be on.
What I had anticipated when my good old boy Stumpy "ran on ahead to Heaven's Fields" 2-1/2 weeks ago was to pass through the well-know stages of grief, more or less in order taking as long as needed in any given one.
Nope.
Instead of an orderly progression I seem to swing fairly randomly from one to another in an unpredictable schedule. When Stumpy first died I cried. A lot. For a couple of days. Then, the pain seemed to dampen down somewhat, and boy! I felt guilty about feeling better. I knew in my head AND heart that Stumpers is better, so I should be feeling glad for him........but.....if I felt better that only made me question myself about how much I loved him; which is, of course ridiculous. Then, I'd bump along for a few days, got feeling better, tried talking myself out of the guilt trip and whammo! don't I receive a letter from the Township telling me Stumpy's Dog License Fee is overdue and threatening a fine. Oh, fabulous. Big crying scene. Thank heaven my husband said he'd take care of notifying the Town Clerk. I wasn't particularly coherent.
My son returns from overseas in 2 weeks. (Hurrah!) His first visit home will, of course, include showing him Stumpy's grave in the backyard. I KNOW that'll rip everything wide open again.
You know what? I expected grief to be like a TV dinner.......everything nice and separate, easily identifiable, one bit at a time. What I got is a Tossed Salad.
Thanks for letting me say all this. I hope it made sense to someone. I just want to let anyone else going through this emotional blender, you aren't the only one.
lauree