The Best Dog A Guy Could Want R.i.p Options

[shane meyer]

I had to let my little yoda go today 17yrs old. 5th dog I've had to put down in my life. I spent half of my life with him, none have hurt this much. He JUST had a check up and blood work done 5 days earlier. Heart strong, kidneys, liver working "great" then outta no where he had a stroke. He was always there for me. Through all my personal problems in life. Kills me to know I'll never rub that SHIH TZU pot belly or hug him again. He was Blind from birth and depended so much on us, I think thats why this hurts SO MUCH MORE than my other pets. My soul is fractured, at the moment I dont know if I can get over this. My Birthday was monday, the day of the stroke. Now i'm cursed with a birthday that I lost my most loved buddy. I hope I succeded in adding his picture. I love you yoda PLEASE R.I.P

[Gretta's Mom]

Oh Shane

My heart is crying for you in the passing of your wonderful Yoda. It's the worst pain we'll ever have to face this side of eternity - as Moonbeam says. What an extraordinary life you two must have shared - loving each other even though sharing neither language nor sight. You ARE his soul! Soon you will get a post from Mother Moonbeam which will say all that's in my heart for you only much better. The important thing is the Yoda LIVES! Yes, he's right there beside you where he always was when you could see him. It's just that now he's in spirit form and you can't do all the things humans to to interact with other beings: touch, hold, pet, tummy-rub. But that does not mean Yoda is gone. He lives, in the words of my great vet, "in a safe place now." He's on his job as your "other half" - guiding your steps showering you with love and being showered with your love.

I know it seems like you will never live through this. At first it feels like constantly being shot through the heart. When you say that you have never felt this kind of pain with other fur-babies, it tells me that you and Yoda were a special pair. Some American Indians call these animals white buffalo. Ther hold a piece of our souls and we a piece of theirs. That's why their going back home to the perfect World is SO, SO painful. It's like a piece of ourselves has been torn away - and it has. Part of our soul has gone with them - and they've left part of their with us. Someday we WILL be together again - no more pain, no more loneliness, just eternal basking in each other's love.

It's my Gretta's first anniversary in heaven today. Yoda arrived just in time for her birthday party. Shane, the pain never does actually stop. It just reaches a point where it is a constant presence in your life - making tears flow ever so easily. Shane can see you know and I know she's up there telling everybody what a great dad you ARE (not WERE).

Shed tears, wrap yourself in things of Yoda's, do whatever it takes to get from one moment to the next. And know the we, your Lightning Strike family are right beside you every step of the way.

Please get some rest tonight, friend.

Gretta's mom

[shane meyer]

Oh Shane

My heart is crying for you in the passing of your wonderful Yoda. It's the worst pain we'll ever have to face this side of eternity - as Moonbeam says. What an extraordinary life you two must have shared - loving each other even though sharing neither language nor sight. You ARE his soul! Soon you will get a post from Mother Moonbeam which will say all that's in my heart for you only much better. The important thing is the Yoda LIVES! Yes, he's right there beside you where he always was when you could see him. It's just that now he's in spirit form and you can't do all the things humans to to interact with other beings: touch, hold, pet, tummy-rub. But that does not mean Yoda is gone. He lives, in the words of my great vet, "in a safe place now." He's on his job as your "other half" - guiding your steps showering you with love and being showered with your love.

I know it seems like you will never live through this. At first it feels like constantly being shot through the heart. When you say that you have never felt this kind of pain with other fur-babies, it tells me that you and Yoda were a special pair. Some American Indians call these animals white buffalo. Ther hold a piece of our souls and we a piece of theirs. That's why their going back home to the perfect World is SO, SO painful. It's like a piece of ourselves has been torn away - and it has. Part of our soul has gone with them - and they've left part of their with us. Someday we WILL be together again - no more pain, no more loneliness, just eternal basking in each other's love.

It's my Gretta's first anniversary in heaven today. Yoda arrived just in time for her birthday party. Shane, the pain never does actually stop. It just reaches a point where it is a constant presence in your life - making tears flow ever so easily. Shane can see you know and I know she's up there telling everybody what a great dad you ARE (not WERE).

Shed tears, wrap yourself in things of Yoda's, do whatever it takes to get from one moment to the next. And know the we, your Lightning Strike family are right beside you every step of the way.

Please get some rest tonight, friend.

Gretta's mom

Thank you so much for your incredible words. As I write the tears are flowing hard and heavy...both for yoda and you sweet words. Never having met you, they were the perfect words to consol. Though nothing works, when we loose one of our friends MOST of us are not new to it. I know I'm not, but this pain is so intense, I know I've said it, ands others..."I'll never get another one" but we love them so much, most of us still do. It took me 8 months to get a new puppy after I lost a 15 yr old Rottie.

I AM SO SORRY FOR GRETTAS ABSENCE, her loss makes my heart hurt for you too. It is nice to think yoda has joined the party, where he can finally SEE. Again, thank you for such kind words, thank you. One last pic cause SO hard to look at. Him in his younger days. Couldnt see out of that eye. God I miss him so much. Even though we have a Rott and 2 cats, the house feels empty.

[Gretta's Mom]

Hello Shane

What an incredible picture of Mr Yoda! Your soul-mate IS in the Perfect World and he's also right there beside you, as Ms Moonbeam says, only a breath away. And, oh yes, it hurst more than anything else in this world. Love conquers all, though, and love never dies. I think we grieve in proportion as we love - and the love you share with Yoda is higher than the higest mountain.


Thank you also for your kind and consoling words about my Gretta. I can tell you that after one year, my grief has subsided to about 80% of it's beginning level - and will probably stay there until Gretta and I meet again. And that's OK with me. I can function and I can still have baby gril's image in front of my eyes and heart at all times.

Be kind to yourself today, my friend. Your only assignment (mo matter what your boss - whoever it is - say) is to keep exhaling after you inhale.

Talk later,

Gretta 9and Rufus's) mom

[MaggiesMama]

Hi Shane

First of all please accept my deepest sympathies over the loss of your sweet Yoda.What a cutie!

I lost my beloved dog Maggies just 4 weeks ago and it's still so painful for me.She was fiine one day and gone 2 days late(we had to have her put down due to enlarged organs which lead to severe vomitting).My heart aches but I am finally at the point where I am not crying all day.I have moments where I think "she would love this" or "she is going to miss this" or I look in the corner where she used to sleep and my heart just breaks all over again.

I can feel the love in your written words for Yoda.How luck you both were to have each other.There is so much love there!

That is the one thing I have learned(slowly)As much as I want my Maggie back,nothing can ever take away the love and the memories we shared.

Peace and healing along your journey.

Take care.

[moon_beam]

Hi, Shane, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Yoda. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company.

Shane, I do understand your shock over the stroke. Unfortunately there is no predicting if / when our companions will be a victim of this. Sometimes veterinary medicine can intervene and help restore a good quality of life, while such as the case with your beloved Yoda the effects of the stroke are irreversible and the only thing we can do is be with our companions as they travel their transition journey home to the angels.

Shane, this grief journey is not one of "getting over" our sorrow but rather one of adjusting to the physical absence of our beloved companions. Most people associate "getting over" with "forgetting," and there is no way in heaven or on earth that we will ever forget our beloved companions. No one can "get over" or "forget" the eternal love bond we share with our companions. They are forever a part of us, and nothing -- not even physical separation - - can ever change that. One of the many hard things we have to "adjust" to is their physical absence. We live in a physically oriented world governed by the five senses of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. During their earthly journey with us our companions are totally dependent upon us for their every need - - feeding, grooming, medical care, emotional support. Every time they touch us they imprint themselves on us so that they can tell us apart from all the many millions of other people they encounter. When they precede us to the angels, this physical connection ceases, and we literally go through a physical withdrawal from their physical absence, and it is both physically and emotionally painful. This is why it is important for you to find healthy ways to help you through this particular adjustment - - such as holding a blanket or toy - - something that belongs only to your beloved Yoda when you feel overwhelmed with the physical pain of not being able to hold him, touch him, see him, smell him. Please believe me when I say this is NOT crazy - - this is important to help you through this very painful adjustment.

The good news, Shane, is that eventually the deep sorrow you are now feeling will eventually ease, and probably when you least expect it you will find yourself thinking of your beloved Yoda and smiling - - truly smiling -- and you will feel the warmth of his sweet Living Spirit fill your heart once again. But unfortunately this does not happen overnight, or in a day, a week, or a month. This grief adjustment journey can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time. There is no fast forward or delete button you can press that can speed up the process or make it go away. One of the many important things you need to remember is that you are not alone in your journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

I know right now there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will bring you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief journey.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Yoda with us, Shane. He is so sweet. Please know that he continues to share your earthly journey just as he always has and always will. He is forever a part of you, Shane - - he is forever a heartbeat close to you.

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Shane, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[shane meyer]

Hi, Shane, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Yoda. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company.

Shane, I do understand your shock over the stroke. Unfortunately there is no predicting if / when our companions will be a victim of this. Sometimes veterinary medicine can intervene and help restore a good quality of life, while such as the case with your beloved Yoda the effects of the stroke are irreversible and the only thing we can do is be with our companions as they travel their transition journey home to the angels.

Shane, this grief journey is not one of "getting over" our sorrow but rather one of adjusting to the physical absence of our beloved companions. Most people associate "getting over" with "forgetting," and there is no way in heaven or on earth that we will ever forget our beloved companions. No one can "get over" or "forget" the eternal love bond we share with our companions. They are forever a part of us, and nothing -- not even physical separation - - can ever change that. One of the many hard things we have to "adjust" to is their physical absence. We live in a physically oriented world governed by the five senses of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. During their earthly journey with us our companions are totally dependent upon us for their every need - - feeding, grooming, medical care, emotional support. Every time they touch us they imprint themselves on us so that they can tell us apart from all the many millions of other people they encounter. When they precede us to the angels, this physical connection ceases, and we literally go through a physical withdrawal from their physical absence, and it is both physically and emotionally painful. This is why it is important for you to find healthy ways to help you through this particular adjustment - - such as holding a blanket or toy - - something that belongs only to your beloved Yoda when you feel overwhelmed with the physical pain of not being able to hold him, touch him, see him, smell him. Please believe me when I say this is NOT crazy - - this is important to help you through this very painful adjustment.

The good news, Shane, is that eventually the deep sorrow you are now feeling will eventually ease, and probably when you least expect it you will find yourself thinking of your beloved Yoda and smiling - - truly smiling -- and you will feel the warmth of his sweet Living Spirit fill your heart once again. But unfortunately this does not happen overnight, or in a day, a week, or a month. This grief adjustment journey can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time. There is no fast forward or delete button you can press that can speed up the process or make it go away. One of the many important things you need to remember is that you are not alone in your journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

I know right now there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart. I can only hope that the words I share with you will bring you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief journey.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Yoda with us, Shane. He is so sweet. Please know that he continues to share your earthly journey just as he always has and always will. He is forever a part of you, Shane - - he is forever a heartbeat close to you.

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Shane, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you ALL for the kind words. Again, typing with flowing tears. I fear the day when we get his ashes back, as with the otherpets weve had, that will tear the scab off the wound. I did take a paw print from ink to paper from him, and plan on getting it tattoo'd , and will post a picture here. I am so grateful for all the lengthy heartfelt replies, to me takeing that much time to share words with someone you don't know, shows what kind of a person YOU are. Thank you so much. Today I went to go get his morning meal/meds ready like I always did before work....that was for not, and killed me. Set the mood for the day. I know time heals the wounds, this one is MUCH deaper than what I've had before. Like I said he was just ALITTLE more special to us than everyone else. Thanks for all the kindness and a cyber place to cry. Words cant describe how much he is missed, and I will post a pic of his paw tattoo when I get it. Decided to get it today. I have many tats, but the placement of this really hurt, equaling my emotional pain. Decided to get it now to help with, i dont know if I would say closer, but just to help. His left front paw had a deformed pad, that is why I chose that one. It will look more realistic when it heals. Feels good to have him on me.I MAY have it re-inked with a TOUCH of his ashes when I can emotionally handle it. THANK you all again. I did not want the tattoo to be PERFECT. I wanted it to look like he had a muddy paw and just stepped on my arm. A PERFECT print would not look right I dont think.



I am sorry, I do not know why they are such huge pictures.

[MaggiesMama]

Hi Shane

I was warned about how difficult it would be when we went to pick up Maggie's ashes and I wish I could have somehow prepared myself more(if such a thing is possible)

The Vet CLinic where she passed away is open 24/7 and always very busy.We walked in and waitied to get her ashes.We saw other dogs with cones on their heads,casts,new meds etc. running around going home with their owners and I started to cry right there in the office in front of everyone.I thought to myself "how unfair that these people all get to take their babies home and ours is in a box.I wept so hard that I had to leave.

But once we got home and I set up a memorial area for Maggie(on the fireplace mantle).I have her picture,a leaf swag and her ashes(when I get stronger I will put her collar there and her squeaky chicken toy).Those are somethings I am not ready to look at yet.

I say good morning every morning and goodnight every evening.It's comforting to know she is home with us.

Peace and healing.

[moon_beam]

Hi, Shane, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. Getting our beloved companion's ashes back is a two-sided coin: on the one side there is the relief of having them home again, while the other side of the coin is yet another reminder that they are no longer physically with us as our hearts long for them to be. I, too, know what MaggiesMama went through, and sometimes it has taken as long as 6 months for me to be able to take one of my furkids back to the vet's office for check ups, etc., without tears streaming down my face. Please know you have both our individual and collective strength reaching out to you across the cyber miles to help you with every step of your journey.

Shane, there are no strangers here. Even though we probably will never meet one another on this side of eternity we have the strongest friendships here because we have been introduced through the most powerful common bond of love that we share with our beloved companions. We are here for you, Shane.

One of the many hard adjustments we endure is developing a "new normal" that no longer includes taking physical care of our beloved companions. This takes time, Shane. The good news is that your beloved Yoda is right beside, within you, comforting you and encouraging you and letting you know that everything is okay. Although Yoda no longer requires his earthly food and medicines, he ALWAYS needs your forever love.

Shane, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and I hope today is being kind to you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Shane, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[shane meyer]

Picked yodas ashes today. Never gets easier. They also added is pawprint in a round plate sized clay that you heat and stays forever, ( the black is from the ink I put his paw in for the tattoo) I just cant physically handle that piece yet to bake it, cant do it yet, cannot stop crying. Man that is hard to look at, esp take a pic of right now. Still surprises me, a 20lb dog comes back in 4 ounces. Same with my Rott I had to let go 6 yrs ago. 120lbs and came back in 8 ounces. Tears never seem to let up. I miss him everyday, still get up to make his meds. I do SWEAR i have seen him a few times in the living room, for a split sec. I gotta go, tears are REAllY flowing now
Shane

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg40/ch...00/IMAG0770.jpg

[shane meyer]

I am sorry I HAD to bump this up. I still cry for him everyday. I'm a 35 yr ols malesingle at the moment, butI cry and cry. Everyone tells me I need to get someone in my life. Even if I was married, it wouldnt change how I feel now. Totally empty I HATE comeing home.IF there is a god why does he give us these gifts and then make it HURT soo much when he takes them. (I am an atheist BTW, shouldnt mention that, will change your veiw on me) All of here no the pain we are all in. I am GRATEFUL I found this place. There are truely geat people on here, I appreciate that. Sorry for the links to the pics. They were all to big for this site to up load them.
Shane

Dont know why the pic of his paw print came in as a link, I did this last pic the same way, and now link, it has the pic. I give up. Please just give my yoda a look. He light a room up for sure. Man this is hard

[moon_beam]

Hi, Shane, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and these wonderful pictures of your beloved Yoda. Please know that your tears are literally healing tears - - for your heart and soul. Many, many people in society in general, and sadly in our personal lives, do not understand the eternal love bond that develops between a human caregiver and his / her companion - - and this includes people who have "animals" in their homes as well - - whose attitude is "it is just a . .. . " I know this personally from my own family members, and experience a lot of scoffing comments from them about my beliefs.

Losing a companion touches our lives on many levels, including our spiritual beliefs, and the deep grief that we go through can significantly test the deep faith beliefs of people who profess to have an unshakeable faith, and speaking for myself I can tell you that there have been many times in my life that I have found myself questioning God's purpose and Will. So please know that you are among friends here who understand your questions and the deep grief consuming your heart.

Shane, I wish there were an easier way through this grief journey, and if there were one I would most certainly share it with you. Unfortunately this journey can only be traveled in your own way and in your own time - - one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time. But you are not alone in your journey, for each of us are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Shane, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Gretta's Mom]

Oh SHane

Your religious beliefs don't make a bit of difference. The only thing that matters is that you love Yoda with all your heart and soul and now you can't see her or hear her or hold her - an THAT HURTS!!!!!! And you, you already went through this agony at least once - and your heart is big enough, good enough and brave enough to voluntarily sign up to go through it again.

Yes, Yoda is a special being. (I've got some eclectic spiritual beliefs). I think that animals and people are made of the same soul-stuff. And that once in a while, an animal and a person share a single soul - you carry (and always have) part of Yoda's soul and she carries a part of yours. You have been one since the beginning of the beginning. Then Yoda, brave Yoda, set out to find her soul-mate (literally). She looked for you all over the universe - gave the billions of people in this world each a look (and she didn't need physical eyes to do this!) - and said, No I don't think this is the one - over and over and over again ... until she found YOU! The instant rush of love confirmed for both of you that this was truy your "other half". Few of us have had the honor and privilege of having shared a physical life with our universal soul-mate. ( I discovered this with my Gretta - especially after he passing - don't we always learn these things too late!). The bad thing is that whwen they go back home to the Perfect World, they take a part of our soul with them. The good thing is that love is forever and that our souls WILL once again be reunited and whole again.

I'm 60+ and I, too, cry every day (Gretta's first birthday in the Perfect World was April 10, 2012). I can't face her plaster paw print that the vet school so kindly had made. Every time I post here - cry! Every time I write another vers of a Gretta-song - cry! But I know they are good tears, even though they hurt so much. Tears that come from love. We grieve in proportion as we love - and who do we love more than ourselves - which these spirit animals are. It's not Shane and Yoda, its ShaneYoda. Rest assured that you WILL be reunited and made whole again - even though no one know how or when.

Thank you for sharing Yoda's story and her exquisite pictures. What a light to the world she IS (not was). The little glimpses and shadows you see of her are messages from her letting you know she's still around you and is OK - Perfect, in fact. Part of my coming to believe all this are the words of my vet - the ultimate man of science - when he found out that Gretta had gone home: "She's in a safe place now." If HE belives it, so do I.

Be gentle with yourself, Shane. So a 35-year-old man cries? All that means is that you have a beautiful heart and a great soulmate in Yoda.

For now ....

Gretta's mom

[shane meyer]

Oh SHane

Your religious beliefs don't make a bit of difference. The only thing that matters is that you love Yoda with all your heart and soul and now you can't see her or hear her or hold her - an THAT HURTS!!!!!! And you, you already went through this agony at least once - and your heart is big enough, good enough and brave enough to voluntarily sign up to go through it again.

Yes, Yoda is a special being. (I've got some eclectic spiritual beliefs). I think that animals and people are made of the same soul-stuff. And that once in a while, an animal and a person share a single soul - you carry (and always have) part of Yoda's soul and she carries a part of yours. You have been one since the beginning of the beginning. Then Yoda, brave Yoda, set out to find her soul-mate (literally). She looked for you all over the universe - gave the billions of people in this world each a look (and she didn't need physical eyes to do this!) - and said, No I don't think this is the one - over and over and over again ... until she found YOU! The instant rush of love confirmed for both of you that this was truy your "other half". Few of us have had the honor and privilege of having shared a physical life with our universal soul-mate. ( I discovered this with my Gretta - especially after he passing - don't we always learn these things too late!). The bad thing is that whwen they go back home to the Perfect World, they take a part of our soul with them. The good thing is that love is forever and that our souls WILL once again be reunited and whole again.

I'm 60+ and I, too, cry every day (Gretta's first birthday in the Perfect World was April 10, 2012). I can't face her plaster paw print that the vet school so kindly had made. Every time I post here - cry! Every time I write another vers of a Gretta-song - cry! But I know they are good tears, even though they hurt so much. Tears that come from love. We grieve in proportion as we love - and who do we love more than ourselves - which these spirit animals are. It's not Shane and Yoda, its ShaneYoda. Rest assured that you WILL be reunited and made whole again - even though no one know how or when.

Thank you for sharing Yoda's story and her exquisite pictures. What a light to the world she IS (not was). The little glimpses and shadows you see of her are messages from her letting you know she's still around you and is OK - Perfect, in fact. Part of my coming to believe all this are the words of my vet - the ultimate man of science - when he found out that Gretta had gone home: "She's in a safe place now." If HE belives it, so do I.

Be gentle with yourself, Shane. So a 35-year-old man cries? All that means is that you have a beautiful heart and a great soulmate in Yoda.

For now ....

Gretta's mom

Thank you so much. I feel like I know you. Your words have always helped, I HOPE I am wrong and I can reunite with yoda and the others I have lost, after this painful life, I HOPE I am wrong. Again, thank you so much for everythig. I too cannot handle that ceramic paw impression or look at his ashes yet. I was at a concert last night, tryin to have fun, and u know what? HONEST, in the middle of the song they were doing (its a rock band, so it was not a soft sad song) my mind went right to yoda and I started cryin AT A CONCERT, man I felt rediculous. Again, thank you and I HOPE I AM WRONG!

[shane meyer]

Hi, Shane, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing and these wonderful pictures of your beloved Yoda. Please know that your tears are literally healing tears - - for your heart and soul. Many, many people in society in general, and sadly in our personal lives, do not understand the eternal love bond that develops between a human caregiver and his / her companion - - and this includes people who have "animals" in their homes as well - - whose attitude is "it is just a . .. . " I know this personally from my own family members, and experience a lot of scoffing comments from them about my beliefs.

Losing a companion touches our lives on many levels, including our spiritual beliefs, and the deep grief that we go through can significantly test the deep faith beliefs of people who profess to have an unshakeable faith, and speaking for myself I can tell you that there have been many times in my life that I have found myself questioning God's purpose and Will. So please know that you are among friends here who understand your questions and the deep grief consuming your heart.

Shane, I wish there were an easier way through this grief journey, and if there were one I would most certainly share it with you. Unfortunately this journey can only be traveled in your own way and in your own time - - one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time. But you are not alone in your journey, for each of us are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Shane, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you too. I also feel like I know you. Your words along with Gretta Moms have helped soo much. I want to thank you. For people that have never met I feel a bond with you two, and I thank you for it.

[Gretta's Mom]

Shane

Maybe you could just DECIDE to be "wrong." I was trained as a chemist and if I had a dollar for every time I so glibly said that "Dust to dust" covered the sitution completely - the first law of the universe being "Matter is neigher created nor destroyed" - I could at least buy my city block!! Then one year my sister became critically ill and spent 8 months on the edge of death. After a short while, there was nowhere else to go - nowhere to cry to - so I decided - against alll my intellectual brain - to just 'act as if". If I were wrong, I'd never know it. If I were right (which I very much doubted - and am not so sure I actually "believe" even now), at least I had a story to cling to. Invented by man, that's for sure. Can man live without it? We're living proof that we need a story to cling to - or we would surely die of grief.

Please don't take this as preaching or an attempt to "convert" or anything ugly like that. I just know I need to cling to this Perfect World story in order to live on in this one. If I'm wrong, I'll be a little happier in this world and it won't make any difference after that.

Your new friend,

Gretta's mom

[shane meyer]

Shane

Maybe you could just DECIDE to be "wrong." I was trained as a chemist and if I had a dollar for every time I so glibly said that "Dust to dust" covered the sitution completely - the first law of the universe being "Matter is neigher created nor destroyed" - I could at least buy my city block!! Then one year my sister became critically ill and spent 8 months on the edge of death. After a short while, there was nowhere else to go - nowhere to cry to - so I decided - against alll my intellectual brain - to just 'act as if". If I were wrong, I'd never know it. If I were right (which I very much doubted - and am not so sure I actually "believe" even now), at least I had a story to cling to. Invented by man, that's for sure. Can man live without it? We're living proof that we need a story to cling to - or we would surely die of grief.

Please don't take this as preaching or an attempt to "convert" or anything ugly like that. I just know I need to cling to this Perfect World story in order to live on in this one. If I'm wrong, I'll be a little happier in this world and it won't make any difference after that.

Your new friend,

Gretta's mom

I understand and appreciate what you are saying. Believe me, my moms side of the family (she has 17 brother and sisters) have been on my case about it since I can remember. It just my opinion right now, but I appreicate what you were tryin to do.

a few coworkers had seen me crying over him today, and said I needed a therapist, cause its been almost 2 weeks, and I should not still be mourning this bad. Telling me to get a girlfriend. I COULD BE MARRIED and i would feel just like I am now.

But THIS is why I am bothering you all again. With the other 4 pets I have lost I would "see" them a milli second out of the corner of my eye, or hear thier tags on the collars, of hear the little (and big-my rott) pitter patter of thier paws. But the thing that hurts me most is I cannot "FEEL" yoda atall. That hurts and bothers me.Like I said its happened to all my other pets where I would see, hear or feel them, but NOT Yoda, and he meant the most to me of everything. Have u felt this way? Not feeling him around really does it to me.
Shane

[Gretta's Mom]

Hi Shane

My sister Bobbie's post "I love you Trevor" talks a lot about the same thing. No one could have loved a dog more than she loves Trevor - the post tells all about his VERY special needs - like your Yoda. And she feels very badly about not having "seen" a flash-signal from him.

Thanks for understanding my clumsy effort to comfort you.

Grown man crying - More than OK
Get a girlfriend - Not so much

Gretta - could you please round up the "crew" and send down your rays of hope and encouragement to Yoda's dad. He's so sad. He needs us.

Here's a shoulder to cry on - and a "growl" for those around you who are telling you that you need a therapist because you mourn your dearest friend.

Peace,

Gretta's mom

[MaggiesMama]

Everyone here knows our pets ARE our Family.They are our buddies,our companions,our best friends.When they pass,we mourn their deaths because of all that they mean to us and because we will miss that family member.

People who tell you to see a therapist either do not have pets so cannot possibly understand the love we have for our pets nor can they understand the pain when those beloved pets pass away orn their bonds with their pets are not as deep .Their opions are unimportant and without knowledge.You cry as much as you want Shane.

Do whatever you have to to grieve and morning your sweet pet.Take all the time you need and pay no mind to those who tell you anything different.

My Maggie passed away a month ago today and it's so fresh but even though I don't cry all day anymore,I still cry everyday.

It's s journey to healing.For some people the roads are longer than others but I know we will all (eventually) get to the point where we can smile at the memories and the pain eases.....

[moon_beam]

Hi, Shane, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. Please let me try to add my sincerest thoughts of comfort. Perhaps one of the reaons why you cannot feel your beloved Yoda's sweet Living Spirit with you yet is because you are still in very deep grief. When our hearts are filled with such sorrow there is little room for "feeling" much of anything except the seering pain of loss. And this is particularly true since Yoda was your special needs furchild and therefore closer to you during his earthly journey. This does not diminish the deep love you share with ALL of your beloved companions - - it just means that Yoda was particuarly close to you during his earthly journey. So please know that your beloved Yoda's sweet Living Spirit IS close to you now - - even though you cannot "feel" him yet through your grief.

Unfortunately some people are totally clueless about the grieving process - - be it for a human family member or friend, and particularly for a beloved companion. At this stage it is your co-workers who need the therapist - - not you. I do so well remember the blessing of the privacy of the restroom where I could retreat to regain my composure so that I could go back to my desk to continue with my work. The days at work were so hard to get through that once I walked out the door and got into my car the floodgates of gut-wrenching sobbing would open. It seemed like an eternity before I was able to make it through a day at work without needing the retreat to the restroom.

Shane, please know we are here for you, with you, and beside you through every step of your grief journey. Just take this journey one day at a time, - - one moment at a time - - and remember that your beloved Yoda is forever with you in your heart and your memories. I promise you, Shane, that NOTHING will ever separate your heart from your beloved Yoda's.

I hope today is treating you kindly, Shane. Please know you are in my thought and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam