Another milestone after losing him this February - it's 4 months tomorrow, and today would have been his birthday. Sleep well my baby boy. I miss you.

Oh Lizzie

Happy birthday to your special soul-mate. He's up there playing and running around - and watching over you and loving you exactly the same as he did when you could see him here on earth. My Gretta went to the perfect World on April 10. She was a starving stray so I gave her the birthday as the day I adopted her and her new life started. I KNOW they've met and made friends. My ver said it this way: "She's in a safe place now."

Thank you for sharing your loving words to your special soul animal.

Gretta's mom

Hi, Lizzie, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. The "angel-versaries" are a challenge because they are reminders that our beloved companions are no longer physically with us. Please let me reassure that your precious Gus is not "sleeping" - - but rather is quite alive and restored to his former youthfulness in the company of the angels. As Gretta has shared with you, he is romping and playing and sharing in all the activities with each of our beloved companions as he patiently waits for you to join him in eternal joy at your appropriate time. I hope this image brings comfort to you, Lizzie - - and I hope you are feeling your precious Gus' sweet Living Spirit continuing to share your earthly journey as he always has and always will.

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Lizzie, and that I look forward to knowing how things are going for you.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hey ... newsflash ... Gretta just sent me an invitation to Gus's birthday romp. Think I'll go ......

Gretta's mom

Thank you Gretta's Mom and moon beam. It's been a bit tearful this weekend, as you can imagine, but I couldn't have it any other way. I met one of Gus's puppy friends yesterday - he is a year younger than Gus - just coming up to 12, wheras Gus was just coming up to 13. Gus and Ozzie played rough and tumble together as youngsters, and even though I hadn't seen Ozzie for a long time, he always remembers me, and burried his huge Retriever head in my arms. Later on, another puppy friend dropped by with a beatiful photo montage of Gus....then more tears!

The good news is that I know I want another dog....not just yet...but when I'm ready.

Thanks for your support today.

Lizzie

Hi Lizzie

Thank you SOOOOOO much for sharing the pictures of your Mr Gus. He's the greatest! How adorable he looks buried up to his neck in the snow!

And that you for sharing how you're doing, Lizzie. We've all had that non-stop crying weekend (or more). How wonderful that one of Gus's best friends came by to visit. He must have part of your souls, too - and you his. Memorials can be so sad at first, just like they are with people. But it must have been a real soul-booster that your friend had enough kindness and understanding in her/him to do that. Humans like that are rare indeed -as I'm sure you're finding out.

I truly understand your wanting another dog. When you special animal passes into the Perfect World, you're left standing with all that dog-love and nowhere to give it. And THAT'S lonely. Good for you for taking exactly the time you need to accept those feelings - which are just your loving soul pouring out AND Gus's whispering in your ear, "Way to go, mom. Do it. Watch for the dog I'm gonna send you."

I hazarded a look at local rescue sites after three weeks (feeling mighty disloyal at the same time). Here I was stuck with all the love and nowhere to shower it. The first dog I met was a half chocolate (my Gretta) and half Chessie (my 2nd favorite dog - who lives next door to my dad). I thought the mixture would be perfect. Unfortunately it didn't turn out that way. The dog was very animal aggressive - two provokings in two days - one of an 11 year old lab in the proposed foster home and one of a gentle boxer in his own home. I decided I couldn't feel safe with her, let alone guarantee the safety of those around us (on walks, etc.). So I passed on this dog. This was a wise decision. The next thing I knew my fingers were going to the site of the rescue organization I'd adopted Gretta from. There was an 8-year-old black lab mix on there - with some neuro problems whom I'd passed by a couple of times, not because of the neuro problems but because I though he was too young for me (I'm pretty close to being on a fixed income and you know what vet bills are like!). All of a sudden, I was practically desperate to adopt Rufus - couldn't understand why at first but then I realized it must hve been Gretta urging me on.

Long story short, I adopted him the next Monday, shaky legs and all. It wasn't really love at first sight, though. I was still sad that it wasn't Gretta and a little intimidated by his 100+# size. But his velvet ears and BEAUTIFUL eyes won me over and we went home. A couple of days later, after many tears, I had a (one-way) talk with Rufus. I told him that he was loved for himself, that he was not a "replacement dog", and that I'd take care of him forever. Moonbeam was especially helpful in pointing out that it's not always love at first site. Sometime love grows like little tendrils, one at a time until one day you wake up and realize your hearts are un-untiable. That's me and Rufus.

Take care on your special day and be sure to let your LS friends know how you're doing.

Gretta's mom

That's again Gretta's Mom. I'm glad you and Rufus found each other. Funny enough, I didn't love Gus when I first got him either....it was just this 8 week old ball of teeth and mischief which suddenly had to be looked after 24 hours a day. It took time to build a relationship with him, and that's when the love develops.

love,

Lizzie

Thank you for the wise words about love developing slowly, Lizzie. It's growing day by day with goofy, loveable Rufus. Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing on this day by day road.

Gretta's mom

Hi, Lizzie, thank you so very much for sharing your precious Gus with us. What a W O N D E R F U L picture!! This grief "adjustment" journey is a one day at a time journey, Lizzie - - sometimes a one moment at a time journey. Please know we are here for you, with you, and beside you through every step of your journey.

And please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, Lizzie. I hope life is treating you kindly, Lizzie, and I look forward to knowing how you're doing whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam