You'll do what's best, I have faith in you.

no words....

Thanks, ladies

I'm so very sorry

Dear Mary,



With all my heart,
Ann

Thanks, ladies

Gee, I said that earlier, didn't I? Ah, well... y'all understand that my brain is a little less than fully functional just now. Been in and out of tears all day. Realized about 430 that I hadn't eaten all day either. So I've now had one piece of toast and one package of snack crackers. That'll tide me over, right?

Seriously, I'll be eating soon, and going to bed early I think, to snuggle with the big dogs and dream of the littlest one who's running free with eyes that see and ears that hear and a nose that again enjoys the fragrance of the flowers that are always in bloom at that bridge that passes over the rainbow.

The ache will ease, but the love is never-ending, and that's as it should be.

I was 7 and my beloved grandfather had died. I'd never known death before.

"So what is death for," I cried.

"It's for love," she answered.

"I don't LOVE a thing about death!"

"But if you did not know death, you'd never know how strong your love is for your granddad.
You'll miss him, but mostly what you'll miss is the love he gave right back to you.
Death teaches us about the strength of that love.
We don't usually realize it until we no longer have it.
Only after we've lost it do we realize how important love is to our lives. It leaves a hole in our hearts when it's gone.
Death shows us that hole, but it teaches us that we need to let love back in to fill it up again."

That was a long time and many deaths ago, including the death of the one who so carefully explained it to me one snowy day in March, 1950. It was a lesson well learned. It didn't stop the pain of that moment, but it opened my heart for more love and a lot of understanding.

I'm sorry you lost your beloved pet, Mary.
I think we all understand and grieve with you.

Oh, Sharon...I think I need to copy that and save it in a special place. You had so many wise people in your life, and they knew how to express their wisdom. That's such a gift. And then you remember it and share it with the rest of us -- another gift.

My heart thanks your heart -- a whole lot.

This is how I picture her now... young and healthy and in fields of flowers. (picture taken in April 2007, in a friend's yard)

What a sweet looking dog. She's chasing butterflies now!

flaflwrgrl said:

me too!

So sad, Mary, we do understand, we've all been there.

Beautiful feelings you shared Mary, it brought tears to my eyes as well.

And thank you for sharing that Sharon. It was a difficult day for me as I remember my father I lost to cancer 5 years ago today.
"Death teaches us about the strength of that love. ". Indeed it does. For our family, our friends and our beloved pets.

Mary,

I didn't know there was a place to express my feelings, as I posted it somewhere else at ATP. I'll repost here.....

Mary,

I read your blog about your dear old doggie and I was in tears all the way through! It tugged at my heart the whole time. What a sweet and lovable doggie! I'm still teary eyed. Pets sure have a hold of our hearts. DH and I have two lovable bunnies who are healthy and are 10 years old now and the whole time they rule the heart and house. Can't think of ever being without them. My heart goes out to you.

Zoe sounded wonderful to know, love and be around!
She still tugs at my heart (from reading your blog about her).

She'll always be in your heart and thoughts!

What a beautiful and little sweetie she was!

So very sorry for your loss and she brings tears to my eyes still.

Mary:
I posted my heartfelt condolences on another thread but am still thinking about you in this time of sadness and grief. Do you ever visit ATP's sister site cubits.org? Maybe you could post a memorial to your special friend on the Pets Memory Forum over there as well:

http://cubits.org/pets/forums/...


Sharon:
Thank you for your words regarding death and the strength of Love. Not only do those words have meaning for the loss of a loved one (family, friend or pet) but for other types of loss as well. It really made me think.

Mary, I am so sorry for your loss. May your heart heal a little every day.

Thanks, Tami. It has been.