Gus's Birthday Options

[Lizzie]

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.

[Gretta's Mom]

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