Preparing For The 1 Yr Anniversary, Feeling overwhelmed with sadness Options

[My Buddy]

Hi All,
I haven't visited lately however the year annversary is looming for me, Christmas morning actually...a tough day since its also Christmas, I recently found some old photos of my boy, and my Mom's lab, Shadow, was PTS on Monday, age 14 with cancer, so it just reawakened my pain....I just wondered if anyone had any good ideas for preserving the anniversary day...without spoiling the holiday, something maybe that I can do every year to keep his memory alive, I am feeling like its like a dream, feels so long ago now...and I am still fighting the fact that he is not here right now...craziness I am sure...any thoughts I would appreciate them...

You are all my saviors and I am grateful for LS to be able to come back when I need you, BIG HUGE HUG TO ALL>>>>
Lots of Love, Tory, Hrudey and Fuzzies Momma, and now new Auggie boy, 8 mos old... Happy Holidays to you as well

[My Buddy]

Hi All Who Responded, Toonie, EM, Dayna, Moose's Mom, Magdelene, and Forduffy, Sorry it took me awhile to log back in...it's been crazy, and I might be trying to ignore the big day looming...I am not sure what to do exactly, maybe a little of all that was suggested...I love them all, your are all so kind and thoughtful..you know it just feels good to throw out my crazy feelings, and everyone understands..such support is so helpful.

I love the ideas, the ornaments, the picking a special tree, we actually purchased a live tree this year so we can plant it, I might make it his tree or in the spring plant a different plant each year for him especially b.c we live in a new house now, or support tree planting efforts around the world..I like that as well, and the picture with a christmasy frame, or dog ornament...yes, he is a red golden retriever..so a little red guy would be nice, I did pull out, by accident a really special picture my husband made of Hrudey, my buddy, which really captures his essence, its hard to look at it, but I am so happy to have found it, I think it will be that special forever photo, I will light a candle which I did for quite some time after he died...sort of a remembrance of his leaving...every Christmas, and I especially loved the giving to animals at shelters who don't have gifts at Christmas, you are so right, that is something I know my boy would appreciate, loving those fuzzy souls without families...thanks for reminding me of them too. oh I almost forgot to mention the star!! that is also a very very cool idea idea..it's such a hard thing to deal with when you've been together so long, 14 1/2 yrs, you almost don't realize it at the time how much time that is...its huge....well, I will be thinking of all of you, helping me through Christmas, I really appreciate it, and know you have all or are going to go through this too..it helps alot.... Much Love to you all!! I am forever grateful for LS, I remember finding it last year, I think it was Christmas night and I was too afraid to post, until the next day, I just had too...such a horrible place to be...time is an amazing thing, that kind of filters out those most painful thoughts,

Bye for now guys, thanks so much..it means so much, and have a wonderful holiday, Merry Christmas, Love, Tory, Hrudey's Momma, and Frank's Momma..and now Auggie boy.