I am glad you have your fur babies. Dogs give such unconditional love. I think my girls kept me sane my first year. My black lab Cinder was my husband's baby and to comfort her and give her extra attention I took her to obedience training the year after my husband's death. It got me out of the house and got her connected to me. It was really a blessing. Oh my, lots of laughs, love, torn up shoes and miscellaneous household disasters on your horizon!
Hugs,
Val

I visited my parents in December..they have 2 mastiffs, 3 great danes and a shi tzu (and now a chihuahua)

while i was there, one of the danes decided I was hers...She knew i was sad and spent almost everyday walking up too me and putting her head in my lap..

my mom keeps threatening to drop her off at my house, especially since i will now be 1800 miles closer to them... Pets are such good therapy for us and I think dogs especially.. she was just the most loving dog I have seen in a long long time..really made me feel better when i was there

My first Service Dog Brenda retired in 2010 at the age of 11. She was an English Black Lab. The most beautiful and wonderful being that I've ever known. She and Morey were in love.

After Brenda retired I received Horton an American Lab/Golden Retriever mix. He's a big, handsome wonderfully brilliant boy.

Brenda passed away 10 months after Morey died. She adored him and although she was 14 years old, I do believe her heart was too broken to continue living without him.

Her cremains lay in an urn near his urn on a table in our bedroom.

Horton goes to work with me, travels with me and NEVER leaves my side 24/7. Far different than just a "pet" Horton and I are true working partners.

I totally understand and empathize with people who talk about their feelings for their beloved pets.

Roz

We had a sheltie for 15 years and she died several years before my husband. We had her cremated and she has been with us always. Right now I have two schnauzer/poodle mix females. They loved my husband so much that when its time to eat they look for him to come out the door to feed them. That makes me so sad but I know they miss him too. My older one gets up on my bed and lays on his pillow or gets herself under the blanket on his side and sleeps. She even sits with me at the foot of his chair as to say "mom that's not your chair" They have helped me by just being there. No expectations, don't care if I cry, silently missing them just like I do.

Michele, I believe that you husband is smiling, and suspect there will be days when he will laugh from Heaven. I am so happy for you!
Hugs, Katrina

during the first 2 months of me being chair-bound ( leg fracture) after my husband died, I literally felt myself being sucked into a deep vortex of insanity at times. unable to walk and home alone, staring at his empty place on the couch..trapped inside this house. I KNOW my dogs saved whatever was left of my sanity, pulled me out of dark thoughts. might even have saved my life.
They gave me a reason to be here tomorrow. Their loving touch and cuddles nudged me out of the pit.
They sat with me, and became extra nurturing after he passed. we all had desperate needs from his absence.
Times like that, they're not dogs, they are Fur Angels. They were the only way I could feel that God was comforting me.

Oh Michele!!! I'm sooooo happy for you! I like all of you absolutely adore my pets! Esp my dog. He is my sanity. He lays w me when I'm sad and make me play when he's happy. He's so In touch w my emotions it's freaky. We just got a new kitten as well and she is a hoot! Quite a fun diversion to all the sadness this year. So innocent and unaware of the past sorrow. Just pure joy. I'm so glad you got both too! It will b fun watching them grow and interact w your other fur babies! Have fun!
Love to you
Darcie
PS. Two words... Puppy breath! Awwwwwww :)

Hi Michele, I so enjoyed reading your happy, comforting post on all the love and comfort your pets give you and especially that your husband loved dogs too. It was nice reading all the other replies from Val, dcheramie, Roz, Katrina, and Darcie about their love for their pets also.

I have been thinking for the past few days about getting a little puppy. I live in an apartment and don't have a big yard for it to play in, but I see a lot of people at my apartment building walking their dogs. I guess I could do that too. What kind of small dog do you think would be for the puppy to be happy in an apartment?

By the way, my husband, John, was a well-known breeder of Alaskan Malamute dogs in California, which is how I met him, when I bought a wild Malamute puppy from him at his kennel.

Hugs to you all.
Nanette

Oh! Sweet Michele,
I am so happy you have a furry baby, to keep you heart warm.
They are so wonderful for stress relief and just unconditional live,
Really we humans can learn a lot from them about UNCONDITIONAL
Love!!!!
Keep us updated on all their hi jinks!!!!
Love from Sandra

Nanette, I was just on the internet the other day killing time and there was an article about the 25 best lap dogs. I am sure you will find many articles there. But, had we not wanted a mini dachsund so badly I certainly would have adopted a shelter pet. The first places I began my search was through the animal shelters across the state. I had a shelter dog once and she was the best dog I believe my family ever had. She had been abandoned while pregnant with a litter of 8. As soon as "the puppies were weaned, we fostered her " temporarily". Well she lived out her long happy life with us. And our whole family was heart broken for quite some time. We still talk about our dear Brenda. Good luck with your search. You may also want to check with AKC if you find a particular breed you would like. Hugs and Love, Michele

When our son was in drug addiction, he had acquired a pit bull puppy he named Lotto. Somehow, Lotto got dropped of with us - permanently. I never would have dreamed of owning a pit. Nature took her course, and that cute little puppy grew into a rather large menacing looking dog. I tell you, Lotto was the smartest, sweetest, best dog I'd ever had. Even loved kids. That dog was like a baby to us. He slept on the bed between us, and was also my very heavy lap dog. Go figure. Sadly, Lotto got cancer and died at 3 years. Could never bring myself to get another.

Yes it is so very hard when our beloved pets pass. Our first dog who was a total joy died at the age of 15. We couldn't bear the thought of another. But 3 days passed and the house was so still. We went and got a golden retriever. It didn't fix our broken hearts but actually was therapy to help heal a little. Next year adopted a shelter collie who was the happiest dog ever. Then a few years later we reunited a lost mommy beagle with her family and received a luscious black and white puppy as a reward! He is the last one who still remains with me 12 years later and is my constant companion. He is what's helping me deal with the grief of losing my husband Ira. I have held each and every one of them including two sweet cats as they took their last breath. I was with my husband as he too took his last breath. I looked into everyone of their eyes as they passed. It was hard but it was my job...and my pleasure to have them share their lives with me as they left me to go to a better place without suffering. I take comfort now that all of our passed pets have met with Ira at the rainbow bridge. So if you have it in your heart to love a pet and are thinking about getting one...do it! You won't b sorry. And remember the time you put into them is the reward you will get from them. Keeps us updated Michelle on your new sweeties!
Love to all
Darcie

Here is a copy of the Rainbow Bridge poem I spoke of in my previous post.
Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Darcie, I have always loved this poem! Thank you for sharing. I feel in my heart that all of our passed pets have been reunited with my husband as I too will be when my time comes. What a wonderful thought! Hugs and Love to all, Michele

Michele...your fur babies are adorable!! I am so happy for you!! Big big hug!!