Oslo Options

[tanbuck]

Moonbeam, your note to Oslo was so sweet. I read what you and Margi were saying about caring for one and not being able to grieve the other. And I said outloud, "yes!" I know exactly how that feels. I do believe that I was able to grieve for Frasier for an adequate amount of time before we knew Niles was sick. But caring for him made me put my grief on the backburner a bit. Then when Niles died (it still makes me cry to even type that), I felt I'd lost Frasier all over again. But with Niles, I don't feel I've had the time to feel everything I need to feel because of Buck. I'm a little afraid of the process I will go through when he passes. I'm sure it will be a range of emotions.
-Donna

[moon_beam]

Hi, Donna, thank you so much for your comforting thoughts. Sometimes I still feel like I'm in a state of shock over the events that have occurred. It is hard when your heart wants and needs to grieve a loss but the reality is that your energies are needed to stay focused with another companion in need. Emotions do get suppressed, and eventually those emotions need to be reconciled.

Please know, Donna, that we are here for you to help you through whatever you need. If I know Oslo he is also looking after your precious Frasier and Niles. It wouldn't surprise me one little bit to have them snuggled down next to him. He is a gentle soul, and I hope that vision in your mind can bring some comfort to your heart.

I hope you and Buck will have a peaceful evening, Donna. Please know you and Buck are close in my thoughts and prayers, and I will look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[moon_beam]

My darling Oslo, today is your 7 month anniversary of being with the angels. My handsome man, I get these visions of you standing so tall and strong on your legs, legs that were weak and failing you more and more during your time with me on this side of eternity - - and holding your head and tail so high and proud - - a tail that was too weak to do much of anything but droop, although you still managed a wag or two now and then while you were still with me.

Seeing you in this vision fills my heart with joy, but my eyes still well with tears, a lump still comes to my throat, and there is still a quiver to my chin because I miss your sweet physical presence with me. But through this I can now once again smile because I know you are where you can be the precious Oslo you always were with me during our journey on this side of eternity - - but strong and happy and healthy before the effects of age and illness overcame your physical body. As I look through your pictures and see the transformation of the years my heart leaps with joy that you are now free from the *** of your failing physical body. My handsome man, it's hard - - that's true - - but my love for you - - and with you - - is no longer confined to the *** of time and space of this physical life that I still travel, and more and more I find this comforting. And I do have the hope that one day, at my appropriate time, I will be reunited with you in eternal joy, and that, my precious one, fills my heart with great anticipation.

Noah is a precious soul, and I am grateful for his comforting presence. But he isn't you, he can't take your place, and I know that's okay - - for the opposite is true as well - - no one can take Noah's precious unique place in my heart and life.

My handsome man, I love you - - always and forever. There will always be a part of me that will miss you until we are reunited again in eternal joy. But knowing that you are being taken care of by the angels now does fill my heart and mind with a welcome peace. I love you, my Oslo. Please give Eli and Abbygayle hugs and kisses from me, give them my love as well - - along with all of my beloved companions who you now know and enjoy good company.

And Oslo, - - always remember - - you are tenderly wrapped in eternal love in my heart and memories wherever I go and whatever I do. It is comforting to have the blessing of your Sweet Living Spirit with me at all times and in all circumstances.

My love to you awlays,
mom

[tanbuck]

Moonbeam, all I can say is I'm hugging you in my mind. Your letter is just precious.
-Donna

[moon_beam]

Hi, Donna, our song was Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love." Each of my furkids and I had our individual songs. It was the final instrumental to his memorial video. Every time I think of him, gently unfold our memories here in my heart, and look at his pictures I find myself falling in love with him all over again. He had such a gentle way about him - - as Black Labs do - - but his, of course - - was special to me.

Thank you for sharing my Oslo with me, Donna. I know he and your Buck are good friends, too, and that brings a smile to my heart and face.

I hope you and your husband will have a peaceful evening, Donna, and please know you are close in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Brutus]

Hugs to you Moonbeam, I know how hard the anniversaries are.

Sonya

[moon_beam]

Hi, Sonya, thank you so much for your thoughtful and comforting encouragement. Yesterday was kind of a challenge. It has been so unrelentingly hot here in Virginia, and I know my handsome man would not be physically comfortable - in fact I know he would probably be struggling to be able to breathe because of the Laryngeal Paralysis. The last two summers were also hot, but I managed to keep him comfortable. However, I firmly believe he would not have survived through this heat, and I'm grateful that he is free from the debilitation of his physical body.

Sonya, please know you are close in my thoughts and prayers, and thank you again so much for thinking of me.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Cheryl83]

Hi Moon Beam,

Just checking in to say hello, and to see if you're feeling any better today? The 'anniversarys' are so hard, aren't they?

Also, I just wanted to say thank you. You have been such a great help and source of comfort to me since I joined this forum. I don't know what I would have done without your kind, wise words. Thank you so much.

And what can I say about your precious Oslo? Handsome just doesn't do him justice Such a beautiful, proud boy. And proud mama. Moon Beam, I'm glad you still feel him close to you. He IS still with you, and always will be.

Big hugs -- Cheryl xx

[moon_beam]

Hi, Cheryl, thank you so much for your thoughtful, comforting encouragement, and thank you for checking in on me. Today is a better day. I think one of the reasons why this particular anniversary of Oslo's has hit a bit harder is because it's so close to the 6 month anniversary of when a very dear friend of mine - - younger than I - - joined the angels. Her birthday is July 4, this weekend coming, and I miss her very much, too. It's comforting to know that she, too, is now at peace from the ravages of cancer, and she loves all creatures, too. So I know Oslo is keeping her company along with all of our precious beloved companions along with the ones she personally had during her journey on this side of eternity.

Cheryl, I hope today is a good day for you, as well. Thank you again so much for thinking of me, and please know you are close in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[tahoeden]

Hi Moonbeam,

Catching up with you and others. 7 months is a drop in the bucket compared to your time and love spent with Oslo. You said that July 4th is the anniversary of the passing of another. July 14, 1994 was when I got Kota, at a ranch where she was 10 months old. The people there said she didn't like people, but when I saw her I knew she just needed attention and affection. I spent 2 hours trying to decide whether to take her. A friend who was with me said, "There is no perfect decision." I decided to take her...it was the perfect decision. I'm sure that Oslo was the perfect decision for you, and you for Oslo. I sure wish there was a way to turn back time. You always come across as so sure and positive of our loved ones being with and becoming angels. I hope I can aspire to and believe in that someday. Peace to you.

Dennis

[ladywolf]

Hi Moon Beam-

What a precious letter you wrote to your Oslo. You are SO articulate and your language is so loving, I don't think that any of us here can match it. You are a truly unique and gifted human being...and so, of course, you would have a unique and gifted dog! To have a service dog--what a gift!

You and Noah also seem to have a special relationship. As you say, he's not Oslo--but he shouldn't be, he's a kitty! I know how much time and attention you give to him, and I applaud you for that. He's a very lucky cat!

Much much love to you, one of the most generous people I have ever met--

Margi and Spiritwolf

[moon_beam]

Hi, Dennis and Margi. Thank you so much for your very thoughtful and comforting encouragement. Yes, Dennis, I do firmly believe with all my heart that our beloved companions do have a perfect garden to go to when their physical journey on this side of eternity is completed. Our companions are the innocents of this life, so it is only fitting that they should have a place of eternal peace and joy to go to.

Well, Margi, I did take a lot of writing courses which tremendously helped me on those essay tests while I was in school. Having an introverted personality - - which turns a lot of people off including members of my own family - - writing is also the best way I have of sharing my heart with those who are open to me. Because of the head injury from the automobile collision I have difficulty sometimes thinking of the words that I want to write. So writing takes me a lot longer now. So, I guess it's a good thing I'm not a writer by profession. I am thankful for this Forum where I can share my heart with my furkids - - and others who are graciously open to whatever I may try to share with them.

Thank you both very much for your most kind and caring thoughts. I hope today is being a good day for the both of you, and please know the both of you are frequently in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Jay T]

hi moon beam, the anniversaries are quite emotional i know , sometimes its feels like just yesterday when our best friends where whit us with us,and yet so long ago at the same time.thinking of them every day and trying to continue on not easy ,hope your doing ok with it all ,how much we cared for them and loved them,they will always be in our hearts ,some days are harder then others but we still try our best not easy but we try ,take care and be well , Thanks jay

[moon_beam]

Hi, Jay, thank you so much for your very thoughtful and caring encouragement. You are so right about the anniversaries, Jay. It doesn't matter if it has been one month, one year, 10 years, - - or however long since the passing of our beloved companions to heaven's perfect garden. From my own personal experience I think sometimes the anniversaries are harder when we have other "stuff" in our lives that are not going so well. Why? Because our beloved companions always provide us comfort and companionship regardless of the circumstances we are in at any given time, and particularly when life is not treating us very kindly - - we could always count on them to be on "our side". We could curl up with their sweet precious bodies next to us and everything just seemed to be "right" again. That's one of the many reaons why the grief journey is so hard - - the physical absence our precious companions. It's a "lifetime adjustment" for us as we continue our journey on this side of eternity, and this is one of the many many many many reasons why - - some days are easier than others.

Thank you so much, Jay, for your comforting encouragement. I do so hope that life is treating you kindly, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[moon_beam]

My dearest Oslo, today is your 9 month anniversary of joining the angels and wonderful company of all the precious companions of friends here on the L S forum. I have been reading through this memorial post, through all the loving responses, and my eyes still fill with tears, but they're not just sad tears anymore - - they are also mixed with gratefulness -- for the comfort I have received here and for the opportunity to share you with others who truly do understand how much you are loved and the challenge of some days being easier than others to not having your precious physical presence here with me.

Oslo, honey, this summer has been so very incredibly hot, and I know you would not have been able to endure the 100 plus degree temperatures with combined 100 plus degree heat indices - - not even just to go out and take care of essentials. I am so oo o glad you are where you can romp and play and breathe - - without struggling anymore - - with all of your new friends, and with Samson, Eli, Abbygayle, and all of mommy's precious companions through her life.

My love, of course there are things that I wish I could have done differently - - times I wish I could have been a better mommy for you - - circumstances that I wish I could have changed for you. It’s part of loving you, my love - - lessons of time and experience. As I said to you frequently during our journey together I wish we could have talked to each other in a common language so that you could have told me what you needed and how I could be a better mommy for you. My love, I thank you for your loving forgiveness of the times that I know I didn’t meet all of your needs as you needed them, and when you needed them. Thank you for loving me in spite of my mere human shortcomings. Thank you for teaching me what is really important during our journey together. Thank you for your patience while I learned the lessons you taught me - - as I am still learning them, my love, through the precious memories I have of you in my heart. Thank you for touching my life and my heart, my love - - for loving me truly and deeply.

My darling sweet boy, my handsome man, please know you are always close in my heart and my memories. You are forever with me, my precious boy, and I look forward to seeing you again someday - - when it’s my appropriate time to join you and all of my precious babies in heaven’s perfect garden. Until then, my love, I am comforted by your sweet Living Spirit, I am blessed with knowing that I am forever your mom - - that I will always have the honor and privilege of having taken care of you and loving you during your journey on this side of eternity. I am comforted in knowing that our love continues on - - that it is not confined to the physical laws of time and space. I love you, my Oslo - - it’s all my heart wants to say over and over and over - - I love you, my Oslo, my precious boy, my handsome man - - I love you - -

Always and forever,
Mom

[Brutus]

What a beautiful letter to Oslo. Very touching...you are a great Mom to Oslo. And you are such a wonderful help to everyone here on the forum....thankyou for all your wonderful replies and caring responses to me and others.

Hugs friend and sweet dreams of your beautiful boy Oslo,
Brutus' Mom

[moon_beam]

Hi, Sonya, thank you so much for sharing this anniversary with me and Oslo. I absolutely LOVE the picture that Dottie put on your post of Brutus fishing. That is so o o o wonderful!!! From what Oslo's puppy raiser shared with me, Oslo so enjoyed visiting the creek on their property during the summer months, so I hope that both Oslo and Brutus are thoroughly enjoying the gentle creeks and bubbling brooks in heaven's perfect garden.

I hope you are having a good weekend, Sonya, and that you will have a very enjoyable vacation. I look forward to hearing from you whenever possible, to sharing how you are doing, and please know that you are close in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[tanbuck]

Moonbeam, thank you for your letter to your precious Oslo. It was heart-warming to read. I know it helps me to write to the boys. Even though I talk to them all day in my head, it's nice to put the words down in "print".
Thank you again for sharing a part of your relationship with Oslo with us. I hope you have a good day today.
-Donna

[Cheryl83]

moon_beam,

Your letter to your precious Oslo made me cry -- but in a good way -- it's so beautiful and touching. I know your Oslo is hearing your words, and thinking that he wouldn't have changed a single day with you, and that you're the best mummy a boy could ever ask for. He is sending you kisses, and hoping that you know how much he loves you too.

Thank you so much for sharing, moon_beam.

Sending you hugs, Cheryl xx

[moon_beam]

Dear Donna and Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing Oslo's 9 month anniversary with me. Yes, Donna, I, too, talk to all my precious ones all the time -- including while I'm driving, especially Oslo, because he went with me for several years for AAT visits and accompany me with errands, etc.. I still have his mattress in the van set up just as it always was. I just can't bring myself to change that yet. It helps me to feel him with me while I'm driving.

And thank you, Cheryl, for your comforting encouragement. It does help to write out my feelings, as you know from your beautiful letters to your precious Daisy. It's the only testament to our life together that I can give him, for now.

Thank you, Donna and Cheryl, for being here with me. I hope life is treating you both kindly today, and please know you both are frequently in my thoughts and prayers every day.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam