Woody Options

[Steve K.]

I was here ten years ago for my Beauregard. Now I am here for my Woody. Woody was a dog that nobody wanted so me and the wife took him in. He was a handful at first and he made us wonder if we made the right decision but he turned out to be a wonderful dog. He was a retriever mix and a beautiful red color.

Well, on Sunday 09/21/08, I went out for the day and the wife took the dogs (we have another shelter dog) for a walk. They were both on a leash but Woody pulled away from my wife and ran into the street. He was hit by a car and the wife got animal control to take him to the emergency clinic where the vet said it didn't look good. The wife made the decision to let Woody go and when I got home, my heart was broken. My poor wife had to watch him get hit by the car and then make the decision to let him go. We are both heartbroken. I can't sleep, I can't eat, and all I do is cry at the drop of a hat. Our other dog (Smokey Joe) is 9 years old but Woody was only four. I expected him to be around for many years. Why did God take our dog from us? I don't think that we are bad people. We took in both dogs and two stray cats. We love our animals like children. Why was he taken from us?

[moon_beam]

Hi, Steve, I can imagine how your home is feeling the loss of Woody. Your life is not the same without the physical presence of your beloved Woody; it is now different. Don't be afraid to change your routines a bit - - keeping them exactly the same can sometimes add to the grief of your loss. Woody wants you to remember the times you had with him on this side of eternity with a happy heart, and eventually you will be able to do that but only after the heaviness of your deep grief has had a chance to pass. Smokey knows his buddy is no longer physically with him, and Smokey will grieve in his own way, and needs comforting, too. The time you spend with each other will hopefully strengthen your bond with Smokey and will be comforting as well. It is good that you feel you can cry, Steve, for they are healing tears for your heart and soul and body. So many people think they can get through their grief faster and easier if they don't "give in" to the grief emotions, but clinical studies prove this is very unhealthy - - medically and emotionally. By suppressing the grief emotions they are increasing the stress of their grief which eventually can cause among other physical symptoms heart disease and severe arthritis, and clnical depression. So taking the time to grieve the loss of your precious Woody is healthy and normal. And hopefully by now you know you are not alone in your grief journey, Steve. Each of us are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. You are going through a very difficult adjustment as you would go through with any other loss, Steve. But please know that Woody is still with you in your heart and your memories, and you will see him again when it is your appropriate time to join him in eternal joy. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Steve, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam