Hey Sammy
Today would have been the perfect day to take you walking by the river. God I miss you so much! I actually walked down the pet aisle at the store today -- looking at all the collars and toys and pet beds. Sometimes I can't believe you're really not coming back. For such a small dog -- you certainly left a huge void in our lives. Yesterday at the grocery store there was a lady waiting in her car up by the store and a Westie was standing on the console between the seats -- I wanted to go up to her car and knock on the window and ask if I could pet her Westie - but I figured she'd probably think I was some kind of a nut case - so I didn't. But seeing that dog made me miss you even more. It's going to be a really long summer -- walking is no fun without you. I miss you so...

Sharon,
I haven't participated in these forums for quite some time, however, I check in every so often to let my lil' Zoe know I still love and miss her so much. She was my first dog and she was a westie as well. As I've mentioned, her name was Zoe, I had her for two short years, but I couldn't have fallen in love with anything or anyone as hard as I did with her. Good God, its been two years, since I lost her so tragically (she was hit by a car when she spotted a rabbit in the yard across the street from our house), however, writing this to you, it still brings a tear. I was completely.... I mean completely devastated from the moment I witnessed her take her last breath in my arms. I couldn't function like a normal person in society for months. I was so consumed with such grief, I didn't think I'd ever be able to move forward. It was definately a long process for me to heal and to learn to smile again when I thought of her.

I couldn't have done it without the caring people in these forums. These wonderful people helped me so much. They knew the horrible pain i was dealing with and I can't thank them enough for helping me cope.

I now have another adorable westie, her name is Sasha, (it took a year or so before I decided to do so), but the love Zoe showed and shared with me, I needed it back in my life to be genuinely happy again. I carry Zoe in my heart everyday, I think of her all the time and I always will.
I know I'm a few months late in helping you cope, but I wanted you to know I know what your going through and hope you're doing ok.
Take care of yourself,
Deanna

Deanna-

It's so good to hear from someone who has lost a dog, as I have numerous times, and come through it and out the other side to being able to have another and rejoice in it. It's a very healing message you transmit. I've had eleven dogs--Ladywolf is my last, for now. I too have grieved to the point when I've had to drop out of society for awhile,
but eventually I have been able to move on, get new dogs, and love them equally. Well, almost equally--my bond with the ailing Ladywolf is really different, more intense than anything I've ever experienced before...

Sharon- You'll know when the time is right to get another dog. I encourage you to do it sooner rather than later in your particular case, knowing what I know of you, but in the end, of course, it will be up to you. But the pitter-patter of tiny feet (or the clomp clomp of enormous feet!) can do a lot to make our world brighter.

Much love to you and everyone--

Margi and the Wolf

Hi Deanna and Margi and Ladywolf
Thanks for your responses -- today has been a better day. Deanna - I can only imagine what you must have felt like to lose your precious Westie that way - but we both know that when they see a squirrel or rabbit - there is no calling them back. Sammy saw a rabbit a couple of years ago and was off her leash and ran about 8 city blocks before we caught up to her. It was through 3 foot snow drifts that we chased her. She could have been hit by a car so easily that night -- when we caught up to her she just looked at us like '' hey -- what's the big deal." At least with squirrels you know they'll run up the closest tree -- but rabbits are fair game and will go anywhere.
I learned never to let her off the leash until we were in our garage with the door closed.
We are leaning towards getting another Westie this fall or at the latest next spring. I can't belive that I'm even thinking about getting another one - but I agree with you -- it's so quiet -- too quiet in the house and even though this will be a different dog -- I just miss Sammy and am hoping that some of the similar Westie traits that I so love will be there again. When I think of another one too much though -- I freak myself out about having to go through this awful process of losing them again in 10 to 15 years -- but I guess we can't think that far into the future -- heck - I may not live as long as this next dog will -- I do know in my heart that the joy they bring into your life far far far far outweighs the horribleness (is that even a word?) that their deaths bring into your life. So now it's just question of finding a reputable Westie breeder - so if any of you know of someone you can recommend - please let me know.

Margi -- Hope you and Ladywolf are doing well today. My thoughts are always with you.

Thanks again for your kind words Deanna.

Sharon

Sharon,
To find a reputable Westie breeder, go to the West Highland White Terrier Club of America website (www.westieclubamerica.com) and check their breeder listings. They have lists of WHWTCA approved breeders throughout the United States, and each area has their own contact person. I would try to find a breeder as close to home as possible so that you can visit the puppies and hopefully meet both parents. You might only be able to actually see the mother, but a reputable breeder will have information about the sire, or at the very least a name and phone number so you can check it out. If you're willing to pay top dollar, it's best to find a breeder that can offer proof of genetic testing on both parents. Of course you're talking about a price tag in the thousands for a pup like that, and even then, as you know, there are no guarantees. But I would definitely start with the WHWTCA website. The Club has a list of requirements which Westie breeders have to meet before they are approved and they're probably your best bet.

Good luck!

Barbara

Thanks Barbara - I'm also going to check out the neartest Westie Rescue organization and see if something there is a possibility. I know we don't have anything like that in ND.
Thanks again
Sharon

Hey Sammy - missing you so much. I hate not having you around -- life is so empty. I hope you're happy at Rainbow Bridge. I wonder when this will ever get better? There are still days when everything seems so fresh and the loss so great. I saw another westie this morning -- it made me miss you even more. I hope people who still have their dogs know how truly lucky they are.
Be happy my little angel.

Dear Sharon

I'm thinking of you and your darling Angel Sammy. I think the Westie Rescue sounds a great idea. I'm sure Sammy will be very proud of her Mom for wanting to help a dear fur baby have a loving home.
Let us know how you get on with your searches.
Love and hugs
Jan and Pixie and my Angels xx

Thanks so much Jan and Pixie and your Angels. How are things going with Pixie? Does it help to have another furbaby?

Yes Sharon, Pixie has really helped both me and my husband. I feel like getting up every morning again now. She's there with a greeting lick and then just the routine of feeding her and walking her, makes life seem worthwhile again. Our home was so quiet and empty and we both felt lost. We are smiling and laughing more, and the crying is much less frequent for me. I still miss them and will love them forever, but I know they are always near as I can feel them in my heart and soul. I see little signs all the time, and I know that they are happier now that things are improving for us.
xx

Good Morning Sharon,
Hope you're doing OK today ~ whatever you're feeling and how ever long you feel it ~ it's OK. I'm sure your daily thoughts are of your sweet Sammy. I know about wanting to curl up in a ball and cry for a year. I had a good day every now and again throughout the first year but that's about how long it took me to not cry every day. You know how those westie's can take over your heart and fill it with so much love and happiness ...and when it's taken from you, it's a horrible emptiness to deal with. It's a good thing, to know your considering another westie in your future, once you decide it's a good time. I'm thinking about you. Keep in touch.
Much Love for Westies,
Deanna

Sharon, take my word for it, if you get another Westie, especially if it's a puppy, you'll be far too busy to be sad! I'm having a lot of fun with little Katie, but as anyone who has ever had a puppy knows, they are a lot of work. Plus, Westies, like all terriers, have a way of grabbing people's hearts the way they grab hold of a toy, starting with a pounce, then a violent shake, and before you know it you're gone. Also, they all have their own distinct personalities. In the past couple of days I've seen a lot of things about Katie that remind me of Charlie, but rather than making me sad, it brings back memories I've practically forgotten and Katie is definitely her own very unique self, just as Charlie was uniquely Charlie. No one can ever 'replace' him, just as no one will ever replace Sammy with you. But a mother doesn't love her first child any less because she has a second or a third or a fourth for that matter. You love each of them in their own special way because they're all special in their own way.

Speaking of which, it's gotten quiet all of a sudden and that's never good when there's a puppy in the house. Better go find Miss Katie and see what sort of trouble she's gotten into.

Barbara

Thanks Jan, Barbara and Deanna for your comments. I do think getting another one will be healthy for me and my husband. Now I just have to find the right one for us. I'm sure everyone feels as horrible as I do about their pets passing -- but there is something about it being my first ever pet that makes this so hard. I guess I always thought she'd live to be 15 -- don't ask me why -- but I just haven't come to grips with the fact that she left so soon -- then I wonder who I think I am when I see other people like you guys who have lost their pets at age 2, 8 or 9 -- who in the world do I think I am to complain??? I had her for 11 wonderful years! One of the sympathy cards we got said:
Pets come into our lives to teach us about love -- they leave to teach us about loss....

Thanks too Barbara for reminding me about that Garth Brooks song -- it's been running through my mind all day long...


And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end
The way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
Bu I'd of had to miss the dance....

I hope Miss Katie isn't in the dog house already with it being so quiet! Have a great night ladies - and thanks for your help. I am ever so grateful that I found this forum and all these wonderful people.

Sharon

Hey Sammy girl
Today has been another tough day. I looked at some dogs pictures on the Humane Societies webpage -- and there was a Cairn that was adopted already -- but she was wearing your hot chili pepper collar that was included in all your things that we gave to them after you were gone. I'm happy to see another dog make use of your things, but it was kind of heart breaking too. The weather was really warm here today -- a beautiful spring day -- the lawn you loved to lay on is greening up again -- but I don't see my Sammy when I drive into the driveway like I did last year. I miss you so, so terribly much. I wish you peace and love.
Always.
mama

Hey Sammy baby
You are the only one that knows what really matters -- I love you forever -I love you for always -- I miss you my baby

Love mama

Hi Sammy
I'm missing you so very much again these past few days. I'm going to start on your memorial scrapbook this weekend. I found a bunch of pictures we had taken the day we brought you home. I hope this is a healing experience for me. I love you.
Mama

Hey Sammy girl - missing you so much. I love you -- be at peace.
mama

Hi Sammy
I'm missing you so much. This is the first 4th of July that you won't be here to watch the fireworks with me on the deck. I wish you peace
mama

Hi Sharon--

I'm so glad to hear from you--it's been awhile.

It is so sweet that you keep returning here to post to Sammy. I haven't done that with Ladywolf; maybe I should try it.

I had a very bad day yesterday--it was the one month anniversary of Ladywolf's passing. But am doing much better today.

How are YOU doing?

Big big hugs from Margi and Spiritwolf

Hi Sharon
Its nice to see you here hope you have been doing ok. I was just thinking the same thing about the fourth Sharon. I guess our angels will be watching them from up above while we watch them from down below. Sure wish we could meet in the middle. I will think of you and your sammy when the fire works go off. Take care Sharon

Hugs to you
Anna and my angels