Hi everyone,

Well it will soon be 6 months since our darling Noushka left us. I have felt so lost and empty without her. The acute pain has been diminishing gradually, but the tears still flow, not as often now, and the 'Happy' memories seem to be more frequent than the 'sad' ones these days. Thanks to everyone who helped me and supported me on this site. I have made some very good friends. Our 'Angels' have brought us together.

Now for my news. I'm sure that if you have been reading my post for Noushka and Tasha you will have seen the mention of a certain 'Pixie'.

I had started thinking that maybe it was time for us to bring a new fur baby into our pet-less home. I had very mixed feelings, I knew I could never replace my Angels but I just felt that I had room in my heart for another. While I was searching for Samoyed puppies, I saw this little face looking at me from the screen. Not a puppy but a Samoyed cross, or maybe even a German Eurasier(not quite sure), but with biscuit ears, just like Noushka. She was within days of being euthanased when she was saved by a wonderful couple who have started up a 'no kill' rescue centre on their farm.
They had called her Pixie, she came with no history, no microchip, no tag, nothing, just a very sweet nature. We went up to see her on Saturday and she has been home with us ever since.
When we first saw her we couldn't believe how 'tall' she was. She is probably only around 1 year old. She still has the energy and playfullness of a puppy at times, but is house trained and also very well behaved - most of the time. Just have to try and calm her when certain, (not all tho'), 'new' people enter the house as she loves to play-bite, arms, shoes, butts, anything she can get hold of. No aggression, just playfulness, but she has very big teeth ! Just seems to be exuberence, she is so pleased to greet people. She didn't do it at all with young grandson and was extremely well behaved around him. My poor dad seems to be her favourite for these boisterous greetings. If anyone has experience of the this 'play biting' and has any answers as to how we can 'nip' this behaviour in the bud, I would be grateful to hear any advice. I don't want to 'crate' her, or keep her restrained for too long as she is so well behaved apart from this and does listen and obey most commands.
The other strange thing is when we are out on our long country walks, not the urban walks when she is on a short lead and very well behaved with no problems. During our country park walk yesterday, we kept her on an extendable lead as not sure we can trust her off lead yet. Everytime a lead-less dog approached (twice actually) she would look at them on their approach and then lie right down on her front. If they came too near she would then get up and try to pull to get to them. Not baring teeth or showing aggression, but as she is so big it was hard to keep hold of her. Luckily the two owners with these dogs put them on their leads and held them back so there was no major incident. I've never had a dog do this before. Any ideas please.
She is such a love and we want to try and give her a wonderful home, she so deserves it.
Well I wanted to share my news with you and hopefully you may be able to help me once again, with all the wealth of experience on this site.
Thinking of you all and hoping that for the older postees, you are finding peace and your days are improving all the time, that those Happy memories are taking over from the sad. For the new people, I must say, that if you are like I was you will feel that you will never feel 'happy' again. That the sadness is just too much to bear. I can honestly now say , that things will get better for you, but it takes time to heal from the pain of losing our darlings. Talking to other like minded people on here is such a help, and hopefully you too will be helping someone else through their pain. I send my love and prayers to you, that you can get through this dreadful time of grieving. Our darlings would hate to see us so sad.

I'll try and post a photo of Pixie soon.

Hugs
Jan and Pixie, and my Angels.
Love to my Darling Angel girls Tasha and Noushka, and Dear Angels Sooty, Vikki, Frosti, Binky, Charlie and Bailey- who are forever in my Heart and soul, God bless them all.

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

Pixie x

Awww! She's such a cute little girly girl!
Only suggestion I have (and this comes from working with horses more than dogs...) is to put them to work before they start focusing on misbehaving. do a lot of obedience work at home- get her focusing on you, then work the commands into your work and then when you sense that they're about to get silly, put them to work. Focusing on your command may help disengage her other behavior.
It's what I do with my horse. When I sense he's about to start screwing around, I ask him for lateral work, etc...

Thanks PucksMom
I will certainly try that. I'm sure she has been used to training as she is so obedient. Think she just needs to get used to her 'new' pack, and it's pecking order.

Pixie has been very good the last couple of days. Maybe she just needed to settle, as she's been in so many different places just lately from the pound to the rescue centre to our home. Who knows what she went through before that.
She was brilliant on todays long walk, no problems with the cowering to other dogs or lying down, just a healthy sniff and one bark, still a little unsure, but much better.
She still tries a little play nip now and again but is much more controllable , and is certainly not aggressive, just boisterous and puppylike- very big puppy, hope she's not going to grow much bigger, lol.
Thanks once again. Hope you are doing ok.
Click to view attachment

Love Jan and Pixie x

I'm getting worried about Pixie as she hasn't eaten again today. She seems fine in herself and she did eat yesterday(morning and evening), but she has been a very poor eater since we brought her home on Saturday. I'm paranoid as the first sign of the illness that took my darling Noushka was her loss of appetite. If she refuses her food tomorrow we'll get her to the vets. I'm hoping it's just that she's settling in after all the trauma of her last few weeks. She is full of energy, but it seems strange that for such a large girl she eats very little. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hugs Jan

Click to view attachmentGood morning all

Pleased to report that after play nipping my bottom(good job I have plenty of 'padding' lol) as I climbed over the stair gate and giving me such a wonderful greeting and licking session, Pixie ate all her brekki, then had a good gnaw on her chew bone. Might take her urge to gnaw at our hands and butts away, hopefully.She seems in very good spirits. Fingers crossed the 'feeding' will not be too much of a problem. What food do you all prefer for your doggy friends ? Any advice on tactics to get her to 'eat'. She seems to eat one day and then not the next.
Thinking of you all.

Love Jan x

Hi Jan, so glad Pixie's appetite has picked up, she looks absolutely beautiful too. Don't worry about being stressed about something happening to her, it's normal, I'm the same way since I lost Ulriich. I lock all the pets in the house when I go out for the day now, cat in one part of the house and the dogs in the other, so scared of losing another one.
Pixie looks so cute chewing on the rope and she looks like she really enjoys her walks. How is she going with the other dogs in the park now? Catch you on face book when we can get in sync Jan. xx

madi xx

Good morning Jan,

lol, Pixie is so darn cute! She sounds like a silly girl too. So glad she ate today!

My youngest, Hannah, is 4 years old, is a big girl at 75 pounds, and is quite active. She should eat a lot more than she does, but she has always been a 'problem eater', and sometimes eats nothing at all for an entire day. I used to get so worried when she refused to eat and would think the worst. Hannah has some health issues (2 cancerous mast cell tumors removed), and so I always fear the worst when she does not eat.

Some tricks I have used to get Hannah to eat....salmon oil over the food, low fat/fat free cottage cheese mixed in, garlic powder sprinkled over the food, a little bit of beef or chicken broth mixed in with the kibble. While these tricks do not always work it sometimes prompts her to eat. When I am desperate to get her to eat I will add a tablespoon of liver sausage to her kibble, heat it for a bit in the micro to soften it and help it mix easily, this trick works more often than the others.

I am not sure what you feed Pixie (did I miss that?), but sometimes offering variety gets them interested in eating.

Hannah is on a no grain diet (allergies/cancer) and finding quality kibble in no grain is a bit tricky, so my options are limited with regard to variety. While I stay with the same brands of kibble, I do switch the proteins every month or so...I switch between beef, chicken & fish. To further 'mix it up' I give her a bit of canned food with her kibble, or add some chicken breast/ground beef. Sometimes adding hot water to the kibble to soften it will help...along with any combination of the tricks I mentioned above. Yet there are still times she just does not eat....and after visiting the vet earlier this week she is no worse for it, her vet says she looks great and is doing quite well.

Hope some of the ideas help.

xoxoxox,

BullyMama

Thanks BullyMama

For the last 2 days Pixie has eaten everything we have given her, so , fingers crossed maybe it was just the trauma of all the kennels and pound etc that had made her lose her appetite. I did try her with a little Tuna in olive oil, which seemed to get her interested, also some cooked chicken, but now she seems quite happy with tinned mixed with a bit of kibble. Hopefully I can gradually change her onto the organic , no junk feed we usually use for our dogs. I'll keep things as they are right now though, while she seems happy. She needs to gain a bit of weight.
Pleased to hear that Hannah's vets visit went well. Yes its such a job finding good quality food for our fur babies. Some of the stuff on the market is full of junk and it scares me to think what goes into it (I've read up on it a lot). Our Samoyeds (Tasha and Noushka) were extremely fussy eaters, and at one point I just ended preparing their food myself. Tasha was diabetic so we had to try and keep her intake regular.
Well we had a very eventful walk should I say 'run' in our woods yesterday with Pixie. She is generally very good on the lead, but we had her on an extendable one so that she could get a bit more of a trot on. I had just taken over holding her and she saw a Squirrel, well we were off like a bullet through the trees, I haven't run like that for ages. Husband was in fits of laughter , as I just clung on to the lead as we can't trust her to come back to us yet, didn't want her to run free.He took over and a few minutes later she did the same to him, serves him right for laughing, lol. He's no runner, it sure was a scream seeing him flying through the woods. Just after that he tripped and rolled over in the mud, so we ended up nearly peeing ourselves we laughed so much.
So all in all, Pixie has done us both so much good. We haven't laughed like that for months. Yes we do need to do a lot more training with her, while out, but I'm sure we'll get there.
Thanks again for your help.
Thinking of you
Hugs Jan x

I'm so glad she is working out for you Jan...it feels good to laugh doesn't it? I've laughed since Brutus has left, but still seems like something is missing. I have been imagining myself with another black lab...we definately don't need another dog, the two we have are enough, but the thought is still there. I can imagine one walking beside me again someday...someday

Hugs,
Brutus' Mom

Click to view attachment
Thanks Sonya

Yes Pixie certainly has made us smile again. She is such a character. I'm just watching her dig up her chew bone that she buried this morning, it took her a while to remember where she'd put it, but yes , she's got it now and she's now looking for a new secret hiding place. Bringing back lots of memories of my Angels doing the same thing, but it's a good feeling now. Strangely though she's going to all the same places that they used. Soot, our black lab/GSD cross was the digger though, as you probably understand. The funniest thing was when we were at the beach, he would go mad digging the biggest holes, sand flying everywhere. Happy memories !
Yes, you will be busy with your two darling dogs, hope they're doing ok, and maybe someday you will have a darling black lab running at your side again.
Thinking of you

Love Jan and Pixie and my Angels

Jan, Pixie is so beautiful, I'm so glad she's settled in nicely. I'm so glad she's bringing you happiness, us animal lovers never learn do we? I know I'll get another dog someday, despite saying "never again" when Foxy was ill, and Foxy was my third dog. We just can't be without them can we?

Thanks Irene
We are very lucky that Pixie came into our lives as she has truly brought a spring to our step again (Especially if she chases after a squirrel while on her lead, Ha). We daren't let her off lead yet as we need to do more training with her.
I felt so lost and the house was so very quiet when we had no fur babies to keep us company. As you say, we just can't be without them. xx

Aww bless her, you'll get there with the training. Foxy used to chase things whilst on the lead when she was a pup, she nearly had me over a few times.

Hi to all my friends, old and new on here. Just to let you know that Pixie is settling down so well. She's been with us for 4 weeks now. She is eating well and looks forward to every meal .The 'play' nipping is getting less frequent, we just have to watch her when she is excited to see new visitors to our home. She seems to want to please and soon knows now when she has to stop the unwanted behaviour.
She's gained some weight and the Vet is very pleased with her. So fingers crossed things will work out fine for her. She is such a sweet natured girl and we feel so lucky that she has come into our lives to make us smile again.
Thinking of you all.
Jan xx

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
PIXIE

Well it's 8 weeks now since we brought Pixie home from the Rescue Centre. As you can see she is settled in well and having a good nap (complete with the Sammy smile on her face).
She's trusting us now and is loving her life. She's certainly made our lives so much better. Still miss my Angel girls so much , but the horrible empty, lost feeling is diminishing at last. I know my girls will be happy that we're smiling again.
Thinking of you all.

Hugs Jan x

Hi Jan and Pixie
Jan I love Pixie's pictures. She is such a doll baby, she looks so content and happy since she has found a mum like you to love and take care of her.

Hugs
Anna

She is beautiful Jan, I'm glad she's bringing you happiness.
Irene

Thanks so much Anna and Irene. Thinking of you both.

Love Jan and Pixie and my Angels xx

Hi Jan
Pixie is so beautiful -- She looks like she's smiling in all the pictures you've posted -- I'm glad that she has settlled in and is bringing you much deserved happiness.

Sharon

Thanks Sharon, for the kind words. I hope you're doing Ok . Thinking of you and your dear Angel Sammy.
Love Jan x

Click to view attachment
Well we are flabbergasted about a discovery that our dear Anna(Smokey/Lady/Max) made while she was looking back over my postings for pictures of my Angels. She wanted one of my Sooty, he's been in the Angel world for 18 years now and his Angelversary was February 1st, so I had posted a lovely pic of him as a puppy on my Noushka and Tasha thread. Anna had used this photo to create the lovely image you see above, of him supposedly going to his girlfriends birthday party. Please note the name she gave his 'girlfriend'- PIXIE. This was on FEB 4TH. Pixie was not even at the rescue kennel then and I hadn't even seen or heard of her then, let alone mention anything about a 'PIXIE'. A week or so later I was searching for Samoyed puppies, on-line, and up came a photo of this cute Sammy cross (or Eurasier) saying Hello my name is Pixie and I need a loving caring, home, I'm about a year old. Well that was it, she had the cutest face and reminded me of a mix of Tasha, Noushka,with her biscuit ears and even Sooty as she had some black markings and one floppy ear, his ears were floppy too. I e-mailed the rescue Centre on 15th Feb and on 20th Feb we brought her home. We DIDN'T name her PIXIE, , the rescue Centre gave her that name around 10th FEB, after a florists shop in their village, which was owned by a friend and called 'PIXIE's fllowers.
Coincidence............. Don't think so, it's not even a common name for a dog, very unusual I would say. So Anna, I think our Angels were sending you this name, and I thank you, as it now convinces me that they sent PIXIE to us. As I've said many times, we needed her and she needed us, as she was one day from euthanasia, as no-one claimed her at the dog pound. Thank goodness she was taken in by the no-kill Rescue Centre who then posted her details for me to see , on the Sammy Puppy site.
Just thought it would help everyone here to see that our fur baby angels are with us and sending signs and making things happen to help us along on our paths in this world, when they are no longer 'physically' with us. They sure are with us in their Angel form. Anna has convinced me even more of this now, with our 'Pixie' story.

Pixie is doing fine, and she has brought us that much needed happiness that had been missing since losing our darling fur babies. We know nothing of her previous history, but guess what day we have chosen as her official birthday... 4th Feb, the day that Angel Sooty had fun at 'Pixie's' birthday party.
Thanks for reading.
Love and hugs to you all.
Jan and my Angels and Pixie x

Hi Jan,
That is so nice of you to share Pixie's story. By the way the date I posted Sooty's picture was On Feb 5th. I still cannot believe that Pixie name had come about 2 weeks prior to her coming to your home. I will always believe she truley was sent to you. As you know I have had many signs from my angels I just wished that it made me feel better. At times it does but I still have those days that it is very lonely without them. I am thinking of you and our Angel Pixie.

Hugs
xoxo

Hi Jan
I keep missing you, I am thinking of you and your sweet Pixie girl. Hope to catch up with you soon.

Hugs
xoxo

Thanks Anna
Yes 5th February, I was so excited that I was one day out, but 5th February will be Pixies' birthday.

Love and hugs

Jan and Pixie and my Angels x

Click to view attachment
PIXIE

Lots of you have been asking about dear Pixie so I thought I'd post a new photo for you all to see. She is settling in so well, eating fine now and putting on a bit of weight at last. She really is such a gentle giant and she has entranced us all. It's so great to be out walking (and squirrel chasing) again. I know my Angels sent her to us, as there have been so many signs and too many coincidences. Thankyou all for being there for me and helping with my new addition.

Love Jan and my Angels and Pixie x

hi Jan
I love the picture of your angel sent Pixie she looks like she is so happy to have found you. I know that you are so happy also that she was sent to you. Take care my friend and give pixie a big kiss from me.

Hugs
xoxo

Oh what a lovely story. Pixie really was sent to you. Thanks for sharing the picture Jan, she really is beautiful.

Congratulations Jan!!!

What a DOLL!!! Makes me want to give her a big hug! Thanks for sharing..

Luv,
Madison's mommy-Linda

Click to view attachment

Hi Jan and Pixie
Sweet Pixie was seen in the crystal ball before you even knew of her. Oh How precious she really is. She is a true special gift from your angels. Give her a big kiss.

Hugs
xoxo

Thanks everyone, and thanks Anna for the beautiful 'crystal ball' pic. Yes , Anna you saw Pixie's name way before we had even heard of her. Still can't believe how it happened. Our Angels are sure working their magic, and especially through Anna.

Love to all

Jan and Pixie and my Angels xx

Click to view attachment

Just thought I'd share another Pixie pic. She's doing really well and has stolen everyones hearts. x

Hi Jan and Pixie
Jan Pixie looks like she is actually smiling in the picture. She is so darn cute. I wish I could hug and kiss her in person. I am so glad she is bringing joy back to your life and home.

Hugs
Anna and My Angels
xoxo

Dear Tahoeden wanted to see some pictures of Pixie so I've jumped this topic up the board for him to see. Dennis, if you go back to the first postings you can follow her story . She is still growing I believe, so I think Anna could be about 'spot on' with that birthdate she so mysteriously set, before any of us had even heard of 'PIxie'. Angels at work, I truly believe, with Annas 'sight' helping them along.
Talking of Pixie she is looking at me with those pleading eyes, Walkies time ! xx

Dear Dennis I'll pop this back to top of board for you to see. Go back to the first pages as there are more pics there. x

Click to view attachment

Hi Mum
I am being such a good girl while you post to others needing your love and support.

Your the best mummy in the world

Pixie
xoxo

Thanks Pixie (And 'Furry' God Mother Anna of course) for that. I love it. How did you both do it ?
Love and hugs xx

We'd like to wish all our friends over there in the US a Very Good Independence Day, we'll be thinking of you all. Enjoy the celebrations, and remember that your darling Angel pets will want you to have fun and remember the Happy times you have spent together. They will be watching over you, and sending their special love to you .
Hugs Jan and Pixie and my Angels xx

Bless her, Pixie is simply adorable and she looks to be a real character

So pleased to hear she has found her way to you.

Barbara x

Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

Well at last I've managed to upload a few more Pixie pics. I know Margi wanted to see the new car we had to get to accommodate the ever growing Pixie, so here it is. Also one taken up at Scrumpy's Barn on our Pixie holiday. She's a bit out of coat so not quite as fluffy as usual, but it's growing back nicely.
She is doing really well and gaining her confidence now. She is a joy and has made me 'smile' again. Our 'Angel sent' Pixie has brought me out of the depths of despair along with all you good people on this forum. My 'Angels' Tasha and Noushka will be happy knowing that in their Honour I gave a home to a desperate, homeless fur baby, and in doing so I found that it is possible to love and be loved by another dear fur companion.
Thinking of you all.
Hugs
Jan and my Angels and Pixie x

PS Don't worry, it's Grandsons toy rifle in the picture and Grandaughters wellies. Pixie hasn't taken up shooting in Pink Welly Boots ! xx

Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

This is Pixie 'Sticky beaking' from both sides of the window. She loves looking out of the window, peering through my Aspidistra. Margi, I think you will see how tall she is from this photo. Maybe not quite the size of a two car garage yet though!

I know it might be hard for some to think about 'new beginnings' but I want to post to let everyone know that almost a year on from the loss of my precious Noushka, I feel that rescuing a new fur baby can be so good for all concerned. I still miss Noushka like crazy, but I know that she would want me to be happy. She wanted the best for me at all times. She sensed my every emotion, she knows how much love I have to give to my fur babies.
Thinking of you all and sending hugs.
Jan and my Angels and Pixie xx

Yaaaaay! Jan, it's soooo good to see recent pictures of Pixie! She's absolutely gorgeous, and I cannot believe how TALL she is. How much bigger do you think she's gonna grow? Soon you might have to buy a new HOUSE to accommodate her, never mind car, haha. I love her tail too - it's gorgeous.

Thanks so much for sharing, Jan, and for bringing a huge smile to my face.

You're in my thoughts, as always. Cheryl x

Jan Pixie is just beautiful. I love the pictures of her gazing out both the windows.
I know you are so proud of her and just love her to pieces how could anyone not.
So thankful for sooty and our angels sending her to you. Give that pretty face a
kiss from godmum Anna, I just love her ears Jan.

Hugs
xoxoxo

P.S Go to FB on my wall

Thanks everyone, yes she's a real beauty. x

Dear Margi

Further to our 'chat' tonight/ this morning for me...... Ill pop this back up the board. The latest pics are in two postings one page back. Hope you like them, and that tomorrow brings you a much better day.
Hugs
Jan and Pixie and my Angels xx

Click to view attachment

I would like to introduce our Dear Pixie to Angel (Dottie) and also to our new friends on the forum. Her topic was way down the board so I've popped it back up top. Hope you approve dear Dottie. When you get time maybe you can read back and see how we found each other...... lots of Fur Angel intervention I believe.
Hugs to all
Jan and my Angels and Pixie xx

Click to view attachment

Hi All

This is my latest pic of Pixie and Pixiesdad on our walk. She loves the snow so much...... well she does have Samoyed in her. We let her off just after taking this and she went mad, running round and leaping in the deep snow. I tried to get a pic but she was too fast for me, ha.
Love to all on here.

Jan and my Angels and Pixie xx

Hi, Jan, just getting caught up on your thread. Thank you soo o much for the wonderful pictures!! Pixie reminds me so much of my Samson - - a mixed Lab / Border Collie. He loved the snow, too. I can so relate to your comment about "Fur Angel invervention" that brought you and Pixie together. I know the same thing happened with Oslo coming into my life after my Samson joined the angels. Our beloved companions always took care of us during their earthly journey, and they continue to look after us from the Bridge. Such devotion is very humbling and awesome.

Jan, thank you again so o o o much for sharing these wonderful pictures with us. I hope life is treating you and your family kindly, Jan, and will look forward to hearing from you whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Jan, I haven't seen this photo before, it's a beautiful one of my God daughter and her dad. Pixie has the coat and the long legs for that climate doesn't she? Can you imagine taking Dexter for a walk in that? he won't even go outside if it's been raining and the ground is damp, LOL.

moon-beam, I really believe our angels at the rainbow bridge are watching out for us too. I know my beloved Ulriich had a hand in me getting my new fur baby Dexter, he is so much like him and brings us the same joy that Ulriich did. Dexter looks at us with the same love in his eyes that we missed so much when Ulriich died, you would swear it was him come back. xx

madi xx