Three gone in six months.

Bridgette, Speedy, Dolly

THE POWER OF THE DOG
By Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; But when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs... or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find--it's your own affair But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!) When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone wherever it goes--for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart to a dog to tear!

We've sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve: For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-time loan is as bad as a long So why in Heaven (before we are there!) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Hi, Ealan, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical losses of your beloved Bridgette, Speedy, and Dolly. Losing one companion is a very painful adjustment. Losing three companions in a short period of time intensifies the grief journey.

I know all too well from first hand experience how painful this grief adjustment journey is both emotionally and physically. This grief journey is one that cannot be reconciled in a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 months - - for during the first year it is a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" and the memories that can be all too painful that include "this time yesterday, last week, last month, last year" to endure. It is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in our way and in our own time.

As you travel your grief adjustment journey, Ealan, I hope you will know that even though your beloved Bridgette, Speedy, and Dolly are no longer physically with you, their sweet Living Spirits continue to share your earthly journey as they always have and always will - - for the love bond you share with them is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space - - for they are always and forever a part of your heart and memories, Ealan, - - they are always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

One of the many things you need to remember during your grief adjustment journey is that you are not alone, Ealan. 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.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Bridgette, Speedy, and Dolly with us, Ealan. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture of them with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Ealan, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

It was a weird Thanksgiving to me too, my baby Miles wasn't with us. It takes a lot of time to adjust to a new situation. I know it's time to let it go but I'm still learning how to do it, because I think about him every day. I still find his fur in the house. At night I dream how he would be peacefully sleeping next to me and I even start feeling like he is here and it was a bad dream about everything that happened. But then this disappointment again. My other cat can't fulfill that empty space, I miss my cat Miles so much! He knows it. I was telling him every day that i love him! I now say it to my other cat, but I miss Miles a lot. Then will be Christmas, New Year, Spring, another Summer, and it all will be without my baby Miles. It's just so sad. How come?

Bridgette and Dolly, poodles, were both rescued puppy mill mothers from a puppy mill in the Shenandoah Valley. They were believed to be 7 to 9 years old when I got them and I had them for 9 years, so they were at least 16 years old to 19 years. Bridgette was the sweetest gentlest little lady and Dolly was my shadow, she did not want me out of her sight. They both would follow me and want to be with me all the time. I do miss those sweet girls and I know they were old but I was not ready for them to leave.

Speedy was a standard dachshund who was 2 years old when I got him from rescue. He had had a very rough life in his two years when I got him. He only had three legs having been hit by cars at least four times in his two years, per the vet. I had Speedy for 13 and a half years so he too was a senior at 15 and a half when a stroke took him out.

No matter how long they were with me and how old they were it still hurts with them gone and all three in such a short time.

The thing which makes it bearable is I know they are all pain free and happy now.
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Dolly and BridgetteClick to view attachment

Speedy Click to view attachment

Hi, Ealan, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing, and these wonderful pictures of your beloved Bridgette, Dolly, and Speedy. How so fortunate they are to have your for their human caregiver. For even though they are no longer physically with you, you are always and forever the one person who gave them a safe and loving home during their earthly journey.

Please permit me to reassure you that what you are feeling is very normal deep grief when you share with us: "No matter how long they were with me and how old they were it still hurts with them gone and all three in such a short time." You are so right that no matter how long we share their earthly journey it is never long enough - - for we will always want just one more minute, one more hour, one more day - - one more lifetime with our beloved companions.

Ealan, I hope today is treating you kindly and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Bridgette's, Dolly's, and Speedy's sweet Living Spirits to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Ealan, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

So sorry to hear of your losses.

I know how much it hurts - no matter how long they were with us here. But I know this probably doesn't help, but at least they are together still. Watching a dog mourn is probably the worst thing I have ever seen. I know this because when we lost Lily, Hunny had a tough time of it. She hid under the stairs, barely ate. And the sorrow in her eyes was unbearable. We got Izzy just ten days after losing Lily and that helped Hunny heal. Hunny helped Izzy too as she had spent her life in a puppy mill. But when Hunny died eight months later, even though it hurt like crazy, it felt better knowing that they were together again. They'd known each other their entire lives!

I like the poem you posted. How true it is. But I don't think I could ever NOT have a dog. I have three now. We just lost George two weeks ago. So, it seems like the grieving is never done. But they bring so much joy and happiness to my life.

You had many wonderful years with your babies. And no doubt you have many, many wonderful memories of them. Once again, sorry about your losses.

Take care.

Lynette.