But I'm Not Ready For A New Dog..., I still miss my Shiloh Options

[Kathleen032]

Ever since I had Shiloh put down seven weeks ago I've left the gate to my property slightly open (I told Shiloh before she passed that I'd leave the gate open for her, just in case she decided to come back). This morning when I got up, I looked outside, and to my total amazement, I saw a dog run past my sliding glass door. I immediately went outside and saw a obviously nursing dog running around frantically. I called her over, she cowered and seemed so scared. The fence around my property is very secure, so I figured someone dumped her over the fence, but when I went to check the gate, there were marks on the outside where she had been digging trying to get in...she must've pushed the gate open that little bit and come in. I spent a good part of the day out looking for her puppies, asking people if they found any puppies or had heard of a lost momma dog. No luck. I live in a mountainous rural area and many times when people decide they don't want their animals they bring them out here and dump them. It breaks my heart. When I called the local vet clinic, they said it was quite common for people to dump new born puppies in a dumpster and then drive the mom out of town and dump her. I feel so bad for this girl. She's so sad and scared. I let her move into Shiloh's dog house and have been feeding her Shiloh's food (she seems at ease in Shiloh's space). In a sense I feel like I'm betraying Shiloh, but I think she would want me to share her stuff with this poor little dog.

I don't know if I'm ready for a new dog. I still miss my Shiloh so very much and my heart still aches for her.

[Muffins]

Hi Kathleen:

Your quote:

In a sense I feel like I am betraying Shiloh, but I think she would want me to share her stuff
with this poor little dog.

You are NOT betraying your precious, beloved Shiloh..........not at all..........
And, you are correct in saying that you believe that Shiloh would want you to share her stuff with this poor little dog.
Of that, I HAVE NO DOUBT!!!!!!!!!

God Bless you, Kathleen.........
Sometimes, I believe, there are NO coincidences!!!

What a HORRIBLE STORY...........that the local vet said that "it's quite common for "some idiot" to dump newborn puppies in a dumpster, and them drive the mom out of town and then dump her........

I'm sorry.......I'm sure, like you, my brain cannot even comprehend this!!!

But.........I am happy beyond belief that at least For Now.......this precious Mommy dog has a safe place to stay with
you, and food & water...........
My heart breaks for this mommy dog just yearning for her babies!!

God Bless you, Kathleen, for opening your home and heart to her.....
She is alone, and needs someone to love her....
God Bless you for that.

Please keep us informed and let us know what is going on with this "furdog-mom"; would you please???
Thank you so much!!!!

Again, God Bless you for opening your heart..

Love, Denise

[Steph]

Goodness, that poor thing! How sad for her.

Please do not feel that you are letting Shiloh down, there is no way she'd want you to feel badly about looking after this dog that found you.. This poor girl needs you!

Amazing that she found you the way she did.

Good luck with her. Keep us posted.

[Jjay]

You must not think you are letting youre baby Shiloh down!
If anything Shiloh probably fells bad that he left you and he fells like hes made you sad so Shiloh may have helped you find this little dahling, hes having fun palying at rainbow bridge and hes always with you to him it doesnt really seem much different to when he was here as his earth from he still loves you the same and you still love him the same, Kathleen Shiloh wants you to love another creature Doesnt mean you have to stop loveing Shiloh Just remember that.
Love Jaymie x

[dakota28]

It seems like it is meant to be and I'm glad she is comfortable at your home. But also you have to be comfortable. Give it a little time everyone is differant. It has been 6 months since we lost our baby and are now slowly looking for a new pup. It probably won't even be before christmas. It would be nice if we have one for my husbands birthday in Jan. Good luck to you and your new friend.

[dietersmom]

Kathleen,
I'm so sad for that little "mommy", but so happy she found a safe landing spot.

I'm with Denise, that "Sometimes, I believe, there are NO coincidences!!!" (can't figure out how to use the "quote" thing)

I'm amazed how some people treat animals. I will never understand the cruelty in the world. Kathleen, hang in there, give her your love as I know she must be so afraid and sad.

Your in my thoughts!
Libby

[BabyHannahsMom]

Oh how awful and how sad for the little Mama! I don't understand how anyone could be so cruel! Unfortunately, there are lots of people who have no regard for animal life or any life at all for that matter. It just makes me sick.

Please don't feel guilty about taking mama in. Shiloh wants you to be happy, you know. I think the main thing our little ones are trying to teach us is how to let go and then love again. There are too many homeless animals in this world and too many will die without ever being loved. We are the ones who must speak out for these animals and take care of some of them when we can.

At first (and sometimes even still), I feel guilty too about having taken another little girl dog into my home and my heart. Her name is Maggie. She is an 8-year old Poodle that was left at the shelter. So, you know what I say and what I tell Maggie -- "Maggie, I lost somebody that I loved more than anything, and you lost somebody too, didn't you?" When you look at it that way, it helps or at least it helped me. Maggie does a lot of things that remind me of my Hannah girl, and sometimes I really think that somehow Miss Hannah sent her to me.

I think I said this before on here -- there are lots of things I wish I had done for Hannah. I wish I had taken her outside more, for one thing. She loved it so. Now, since I've moved, Maggie gets to go out all the time and sometimes it upsets me. I told a friend of mine about this and what she said was basically, "it doesn't do any good to feel bad about what you didn't do. You just need to go ahead and do those things for Maggie now." In other words, we have learned some really important things from our little ones who are now gone. I believe first and foremost, we are supposed to learn how to let go and keep on going. It is the most difficult thing in this world to do, for me at least.

I hope this helps. I'm not sure if I've conveyed what I'm trying to say. And last, but not least, no one will ever replace Shiloh. No one will ever replace Hannah. She will always be in my heart and in my thoughts. She was my baby and my best friend, but I know now it's okay to love somebody else because there are too many people and animals out there who are all alone, and they need us.
Love,
Marcia

[SJ J & S]

If it wasn’t Shiloh herself that bought this dog to you then it must surely have been the Gods.

A lot of people would have taken her to the kennels or rescue homes but your hearts too big, you are looking after her.

Don’t say its to soon, just take it from day to day see what happens, if she was led to you then maybe you will bond and mourn your losses together after all she has just lost God knows how many babies to your one.

Please keep us posted but don’t feel that you must keep her, we will support you whatever your decision.

Love Sue

[Ann H]

Hi kathleen, It sure sounds like Shiloh sent that mama dog to you since you told her you would leave the gate open for her. My sister always said that when hers passed away the right dog found her way to her. It might be that you may end of not keeping her but then again she may work her way into your heart. She may be just the one who Shiloh thought could heal your broken heart and bring comfort to you. I don't know if your newspaper offers a free lost and found ad when you find a dog, but ours does you might give it a try if you don't want to keep her.
Ann

[Wanda]

Hi Kathleen, I believe the mom-dog was sent to you. You both need each other so very much. You because you lost Shiloh and she because she knows not where her babies are. It's really a cruel thing that people do. Here in my state it's illegal to do such a thing and the person(s) when found, if ever, are prosecuted. It makes me sick when I hear people talk about how they got "rid" of a pet(s) and I soon tell them just what I think about it. They can't get away from me fast enough! I hope you do keep this mom-dog......she was led to you by Shiloh.


Wanda

[Sarana]

Oh my god how terrible. Poor thing. Poor puppies! >Is there a way maybe she can lead you to them? Maybe place her on a lead and see where she brings you. Maybe she can guide you to them. Maybe one of them is sick and she's looking for a way to find help. You'd be surprised how some animals can ask for help.
Maybe place an add with her picture asking about her and her pups? Maybe she just got away from a yard?
I'm so worried about her babies. Poor little things. :-(
I think your wonderful dog lead her to you knowing you could help her. Bless you and your kind heart. Please keep us posted. If you find the pups , if only I lived close by I'd adopt one and let mamma visit often. damn.
Anyway good luck and keep us posted.

[Kathleen032]

Here's an update on "Emma" the momma dog...

After spending most of the day looking for Emma's puppies, asking neighbors, taking Emma out on a leash to see if she could lead me to the puppies, we had to give up. I think the vet was correct...the puppies were killed and Emma was driven out of town and dumped. I really wish I could've found the puppies...I know I would've kept at least one, and with Emma's story I think all her babies would've found wonderful homes. How can people be so cruel? I've taken out an add in the local paper, but I'm really not expecting any calls.

I think Shiloh really must've sent her here. Number 1, Shiloh knows that this is a loving home, and number 2 both Emma and I are grieving. On Sunday Emma buried her head in my chest and I just started crying...she's devestated over the loss of her furbabies and I'm devastated over the loss of my furbaby. I realized that there is no way I can take her grief away, nor can she take mine away, but we can find comfort together.

Emma is still very sad and has been so abused. Bless her heart, every time I walk up to her, she cowers, but she is getting better. I've actually seen her tail wag a few times.

Right now, I'm offering Emma love and safety. She seems so appreciative.

Oh, Shiloh, I still miss you so very much and my heart aches for you. I love you sweetie.

Thanks to everyone for listening and giving supportive, comforting comments.

Love,
Kathleen

[BabyHannahsMom]

I am so glad you and Emma found each other and you can comfort each other. That is so wonderful. I tell my little adopted girl, Maggie, that I lost someone I loved very much, and that I know she lost someone she loved too.
Marcia

[LittleGirl's...]

Kathleen,

Bless your heart.

The others have said it all. I definitely believe that Shiloh led Emma to you. There is some destiny at work here.

[Darebaby]

I believe that everything happens for a reason and there are no coincidences. Afterall...I know that my Pox was an angel sent here to spend her life with me. isn't it amazing that the 2 of you found eachother....definately meant to be if you ask me.

God Bless!!!!!

Dare

[4theluvofdgs]

Oh my gosh ! I havent been here in a while. I lost my Dakota on October 13th and have been VERY buys with my new puppy named Montana. I believe that my Dakota sent me to him. His name really made me believe this !

Anyways, I am so touched by your story. I too believe that everything happens for a reason and your story is so so heartwarming. I believe your Shiloh definetly sent this poor baby to you. What a blessing you will be to each other. This was a great story to hear since I just dropped back in ! Take care of each other !

[Kathleen032]

I thought I'd just update this post so that everyone could get the whole story on "Emma."

Emma is finally starting to feel at home and in doing so she's become a little aggressive...not with me or my cats, but with friends and family who come over. The first time this happened, I was so shocked I just didn't know what to do. Shiloh loved everyone, so having an aggressive dog caught me off guard. I've been doing some research and have found that her aggression is more fear based. I talked to an animal trainer who seems to think that Emma is young enough to "un-learn" some of her fears.

All in all, she's doing well. She loves the cats and the cats love her. She's gotten over missing her puppies. I'm spoiling her rotten. We're going to go to dog training class after the first of the year. Wish us luck.

I still miss my Shiloh terribly.
Thanks,
Kathleen

Here's a picture of Emma

Attached image(s)

 

[Pamela]

MY WHAT A SWEETIE, I CAN TELL BY THE LOOK IN HER EYES THAT SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH ALOT, JUST NOT SURE OF HERSELF LOOK. I AM GLAD U GUYS FOUND EACH OTHER. IT MUST HAVE BEEN AWFUL FOR HER BABIES TO BE TAKEN FROM HER, THEIR INSTINIC IS SO POWERFUL. SHE IS A BUEATY. PAMELA

[zoeysdad]

Hi Kathleen,

Your Emma is a beauty, thanks for sharing the photo. It's just impossible for pet lovers like us to ever understand how someone can be cruel to an animal. I'm so glad you rescued her from certain death and gave her a loving, safe place to call home. I can tell from looking at the photo how grateful she is for having found you and I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was Shiloh who helped her find her way.

You're one special lady for taking her in at a time when your grief over losing Shiloh was still so raw. Once she becomes accustomed to being showered with love, I'm certain any bad traits she has from being abused will disappear. I truly believe the two of you will have a wonderful life together and I'm so glad you found each other.(with a little help)

Take care,
__Jim

[Ann H]

Kathleen,
Emma is a real doll and I love her color, it reminds me of the color Chili Bean was. I am sure you miss Shiloh so much and always will. I think the thing about us animal lovers is we always have room in our hearts for other babies too. I'm glad to hear she loves the cats and they love her and you are spoiling her rotten. My husband and I always laugh and say that's what their put on this earth for.
Ann