We Let Our Sweet Bella Go..... Options

[brandyandsoshi]

Bella's mom and dad,
I just read through your posts and they gave me some comfort - to see the healing process in writing is a kind of therapy, really.
Bella was a beautiful dog, by the way.
My cat, Soshi, passed away a week and a day ago, and we also had to have her put asleep because she was suffering. Her MRI showed us why, a brain tumor, which is a small comfort. At least we know why she was sick.
My husband and I also felt that connection that you guys felt with Bella, as Soshi was ours together. So our house is really very quiet and empty now.
Anyway, thank you again for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Brandy

[5catsmom]

I also want to thank you for allowing us to sort of "witness" the journey you've been on since your Bella left. I'm glad to hear that in spite of the obvious differences in personality,etc., you've stuck with Prissy. I think in time she'll turn out to be the best "fit" for you all. Sometimes it's easier, I've heard (not that anything after losing a pet seems easy) if the new pet isn't a carbon copy of the other pet. My first experience of losing a cat was with Heidi, who I lived with for 17 years, and saw her mature from shy scared kitten to shy scared but loving adult. After she left, I've had several cats who are polar opposites of Heidi, and one of them, Magic, passed away last month. Two totally different cats, but the love and grief I've felt for each of them hurts exactly the same. We still have 5 other cats, and I treasure even more the days I spend with them since living with the fresh grief. If my pets who've passed have taught me anything, it's how to love every other pet that much more intensely. I think Heidi and Magic would approve.

I've also dreamed about Magic since she's been gone. In the last dream I was following her around outside and she kept turning towards me as if to say "Please don't follow me", and eventually I stopped following her and woke up. But I didn't wake up with the sense of loss I'd felt in the dream, so I think Magic was trying to tell me something. It was a very comforting experience, and made perfect sense to me.

Thanks again for coming back and sharing what's going on with you all, and good luck as you continue your journey. Take care - Barbara

[Bella'sDad]

Wow!

It has been awhile since I posted, but I would pop in just to read when I was feeling a little sad. I always take something with me from this site, even if I do not realize it at the time....thanks all.

We are approaching the date (Oct. 11) that we had to let our Bella go, it does not seem possible, but time marches on...

We have our Prissy (a real prissy girlie that one) and she has changed from a scared little thing into a confident and playful dog. She loves to "fight" with us and snuggle too, she is a much different dog than our Bella, but what a personality!! We absolutely love Prissy!!

My wife and I are finding it easier to talk about Bella without breaking down, although we do tear up...we love her so much and both know we will meet up with her when our time comes.

Sounds kinda fatalistic?? Not really, I have just discovered that I have more faith than I realized...at 37 years old. Wow, what an incredible gift that Bella gave me...my wife's faith has always been much stronger.

Anyway, I had a strange experience last week. I was on another web site and the fellas were off topic trading tips on their dogs, specifically toys. Someone provided a link to a dog toy site....I have never gotten out of the habit of always looking for toys for Bella, she loved her chew toys and being a bulldog she was a power chewer. We liked to get her new toys with interesting textures and shapes...she loved them.

So I go to the site and I am stuck in this "Bella would love this" mode...and out of nowhere I start crying...it has been awhile since I did this and I could not stop for 10 solid minutes...it defied logic (We guys love logic, ya know?!), but I knew that I was stirring up old memories and things I had not thought about in a while...it felt good but I could not shake it all day.

I guess that my point is that we will always carry a piece of them in our heart and memories, they really do live on forever inside us......

[Phinny1]

I guess that my point is that we will always carry a piece of them in our heart and memories, they really do live on forever inside us......

Yes they do. That is why you never truly get over losing them. To me it's like like losing an arm or leg metaphorically.

I do hope that we will see them again. I'm a bit on the fence on that but deeply I hope it is the case. Sometimes I think the best thing about leaving this earth will be to see my loved ones again. I can now see why some people are not scared of dying. Why should they when they can be reunited again with those who mattered?

Take care - Chris

[5catsmom]

It's kinda interesting to read the older posts, when people who've lost a pet come back and share where they're at now emotionally, and let us all have sort of a blueprint of how their own personal grief process has developed. I think all of us, no matter what stage of grief we're in, or how long it's been, have those days when everything comes rushing back and it seems like yesterday when we lost a pet. Shoot, I've had times when I think about a Siberian Husky pup our family lost when I was 8 years old, and I'm 45 now, and in some ways it's such a fresh and profound memory. I wish I knew then what I know now, but hindsight is 20-20, and I like to believe that Korki made a big difference in how I feel about animals today. Every pet, whatever species and whatever our or their ages, makes an impact on our lives, I believe. I think sometimes about the parade of cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, lizards, turtles, etc., which await me when I leave this world.

Thanks for visiting again, Bella's Dad. Bella must be so proud of you that you respect and think of her so often. By the way, that first picture you posted - that was priceless! It probably brings a tear to your eye when you see it, but it's so evocative and expressive. I loved it - wherever you are, Bella, you gave me the first smile of my day. Again - thanks - Barbara

[Kim R.]

There are certain posts, certain furbabies, that stick in my mind, and you and your beautiful Bella are one of them. I am so glad to hear from you and to see that you have found happiness with another furchild after the loss of your sweet Bella...she wouldn't want it any other way, and the loving bond you had with her will always have it's own special piece of your heart that you will certainly carry with you forever. Heck, its been 2 years on Friday for me, and here I still am at LS...everyday...missing Sasha terribly, so don't worry about it not being logical...it is what it is...a tribute to our deep undying love for our babies..

wherever you are, Bella, you gave me the first smile of my day.

Being a Christian(which I know Barbara is too ), I know without doubt where Bella is....DOGGY HEAVEN! Heck, it wouldn't be Heaven without a mug like that!! You can't help but to smile when you look at her !
Love,
Kim

[Bella'sDad]

Wow, almost a year since our Bella was put to sleep. A lot has happened in that time, as always....

Thanks for the kind words about our Bella. It has been very theraputic for me to read and update how I am feeling. Thanks for reading and responding.

We adopted a Boston Terrier on Labor Day from a local rescue group.

His name is Petey, 24 pounds, will be one year old in October, has been "fixed", house trained, up to date on his shots and well cared for by his foster "Mom".

He is an absolute sweet heart too. He is getting along with our Prissy too. They took a couple of days to test each other, but are so sweet together!!

Petey does remind my Wife and I of Bella, he is black and white, smushed face, stout (for his size), and over all a good dog.



Here is sweet Prissy.....



We are so happy right now. When we went to visit Petey, my wife sat down on the floor with him and just started crying....I have to admit I was overwhelmed too.

He is not a replacement for Bella, but some of the things he does bring back happy memories....and we are making new memories as well.

Prissy and Petey are unintended gifts to us. We are so thankful.

I just want everyone to know that has recently lost a beloved friend to know that it will get better. It won't be the same, but it does get better.

You have to have faith.

[Precious' mom]

Congratulations!! They are so beautiful and you opened up your heart and home to two wonderful babies. Bella's new siblings!!! I adopted Patches, another cat, just a month and three days after losing Precious, my 19 year old baby. He has been such a joy already! I just have to get used to a cat with claws. He likes to knit a lot and doesn't know his own strength! (LOL)
Good luck with yours. It really helps heal your heart after suffering such a loss. I kept saying I would definitely not get another cat (and not so soon!) but look what happened -- fate intervened and Precious has a new "little brother"! (Patches is 4-5 years old.)
Thanks for sharing those cute piccies too!
Lisa