I haven't visited here in quite a while, but I thought I would post this today, on the anniversary of his death. It is hard to believe it has been a year. I think of him every day, and still miss him. Every month, on the 25th, I think "now he has been gone six months" etc. I admit that it does get a lot easier to handle, with the passing of time, but this past couple of weeks have been hard because of his birthday, and his anniversary. It's kind of like I don't want his lifetime moving farther back in my life!

Here is a tribute with a lot of pictures that I wrote last year, based on some posts I made here at that time. I put the finishing touches on it and posted it last week, in honor of his birthday.

I remember Rudy

I think Rudy's death has hit me the hardest of any pet I've owned. It isn't that I didn't love my other sweethearts who have passed on as much, or don't love my other dog, my cat and the young dog I adopted since Rudy's death - I did and do - but his age (10), his illness from cancer, and the fact that he had no hangups - he was a very easy dog to have, and I was so proud of him - have intensified the grief over losing him.

Gina

Gina,
Anniversaries are hard...but remember it is also the anniversary of Rudy beginning eternal life! I look on my Precious' physical death in that sense. If it can apply for humans, then why not animals as well? I believe it and know that wherever Precious is, he's whole, happy and with my other predeceased family members/animals waiting for my eventual homecoming. I have read a lot of books about grief and loss concerning pets and they've taught me to accept what happened as something that couldn't have been prevented and that it was time for him/her to be called Home, as all of us eventually will. We mourn the loss of humans and animals in our lives, it's painful because every time there is one, a part of us goes with them. We will see them again, it may be decades but it will happen.
If I died in a car accident or house fire tomorrow I would not be afraid. To be reborn again is something I cannot wait to experience, just as Precious experienced it in early August. I will be with him again but only when God decides. Until then, I will be patient but know in my heart he is happy and with my mother, keeping her company! That gives me such comfort.
Your tribute was very sweet and touching. He was lucky to have you!!
Lisa

Gina,

I read your page on Rudy. What a sweet sweet face. He was so lucky to have you just as Sam is now. I'm not having such a good "people day" and your story and post help me put things back in perspective. I've always said, "At no time should there be more people than animals" but people, such as the ones I have met here, make me cry tears of joy not sadness, when I think of us all meeting in Heaven with our precious babies. What a wonderful day that will be.

It has been exactly a month since my precious Nickels was pts. He developed diabetes seemingly overnight and was taken from us so unexpectantly. I know he loved me because he constantly told me. I can still hear his questioning "meo-meowww" and I consentrate on his voice each day so that I don't forget what he sounded like.

I hope that I can finally reach the place that you have with Rudy. I am still unable to go through the photo albums and see Nickels beautiful blue eyed face. Hopefully I will get stronger and would love to author a tribute page such as the wonderful page you put together for Rudy. Thanks so much for sharing and know you are in my thoughts and prays.

Michelle

Lisa, thanks for your upbeat thoughts...I do have strong faith, I believe in an afterlife, and that I will see him again someday, that he is with the other pets I've loved and with family and friends who have died. But it sure is hard sometimes when those we love go, and we are still here.

Michelle, thanks for your kind words. With time, you will get there. It wasn't until last week that I felt like I could finish up and post my tribute. Sam surely has helped a lot (and luckily he is getting to be quite good now).

Gina,

Your tribute to Rudy was beautiful. It also gives me hope that in a year's time I will be in a better place. I so admire your ability to adopt. I know from everything that I have read on this website that one furbaby NEVER takes the place of another, you just have to expand your heart to include the new ones.

Michelle,

You have been in my thoughts and prayers. I know how much you are hurting with everything that happened with Nickels. You are a great Mom! Nickels is so beautiful. Remember that Nickles still loves you. Death changes the relationship NOT the bond.

Dugan's Mom
Krissyo

I just want you yo know what a great tribute that is. Rudy was a lucky little guy to have a dad like you!! I know what you mean by thinking of the "date" every month. My baby Charlie died on 08/10/06 and his brother Gizmo on 08/04/04, and my brother died on 08/19/83, so the month of August is going to be hard for me! Well I just wanted to let you know what you did was beautiful.

Take Care,

Michelle

Thanks Krissyo and Michelle. It really helps to know there are so many others who feel the same way about animals.
Gina