Hello all, long time, no speak. After I lost the last of my pack, I didn't feel that I had anything left to contribute. In recent days, however, it seems our country, and, your country, are coming together in a small way to pay respects to, and, in memory of, our beloved queen.

All my life, she has been there, a constant, steady hand on the  tiller. Communities of different personalities, backgrounds, religious and constitutional views have mourned. Political differences laid aside.

For me, personally, she was always there. There have been difficult times; her 'Annus horribilis' after 3 of her children divorced, and Winsor Castle burned, almost to the ground, are, perhaps the stand out moments. The death of Diana, princess of Wales and the public reaction to the queen's percieved lack of grief was a shock to her; but, it's just not we do, we don't emote publicly, until recently, at least. We are British. We have a stiff upper lip, grief is private. That does not diminish our celebration of Diana's life, on the contrary, we adored her. She remains a in our hearts and  minds.

With you're permission, I would like to remember the queens strong alliance to the USA. We have ex presidents travelling over, some as private family invitations, some because of state protocol, to witness the funeral of a 70 year era of selfless service and devotion. I  especially want to thank, and, pay tribute to, the American and, other services who fought along side us in our darkest hour.

With great respect, and heart felt thanks for those among you who share my  shock and grief.

Hi Tracey
Things have bee really slow here on LB but we aren't gone yet,
Even at my age of 77 I've only known of Queens in England. I was about 8-9 yrs od and remembering the TV coverage of her being crowned on TV,
Her and her mother both were something special. Hopefully that strength has been passed down to the new King Charles, We all wish him well.

Hello, Tracey, it's so nice to hear from you again here on LB! I remember the sad losses of each of your dogs. It sounds like you don't have any of your own now, but I do hope there are dogs in your life in some way, maybe a granddog or two?

My condolences go out to you and all of your fellow citizens on the passing of your Queen Elizabeth II, who had been the only British monarch on the throne for my entire life. I hope you know that so many in the USA are mourning her passing, too. She had a full life, not just with her royal duties, but also in her private life, what with being a mom, grandma, and great-grandma in a large family. I understand she had a wicked sense of humor! Her lifetime of service, her perseverance through the toughest of times, her dedication to honor and duty, will never be forgotten. It is the end of an era for Britain and the world, really. I wish King Charles III the best of luck going forward, and I share your hope that our two countries will remain the very best of allies.

Tracey, please stay in touch. You don't have to actually own a dog to stop in and say hello once in a while. Bob is right that the board is very slow these days, and we are down to a small number of regulars who still check in, but in this age of endless social media opportunities, I'm comforted by the familiarity, the simplicity, and most of all, the civility of the LB discussion forum.

Bob, it's so good to see you posting, too! I was getting a little worried about you. Don't be a stranger.

Hello, Bob, and, Cheri, thank you for your kind thoughts and memories of the queen.

Cheri, I didn't get another dog, I just couldn't bear to go through that crushing grief again; that probably sounds entirely self centred, but, to be honest, the losses were too traumatic to allow anymore vulnerability to that level of pain. I do have my daughter's feisty, funny and holder of my heart, Holly, who was a rescue pup with a horrific back story, scars to prove it, and who quickly became the centre of our universe. She's a jack/chi cross, with all the attitude that goes with those breeds, lol.

I've also been dog sitting for friends and family, so still have dogs in my life, which is great.

I hope all is well with you both, and that your 4 and 2 legged family are hail and hearty. ????

Tracey, it's different for each of us when we go through the trauma of losing our dogs. Some of us have to have another dog in our life soon, and others, like you, decide they simply cannot go through that grief again. I totally get it. There's no right or wrong way, we each have to do what feels right in our own unique situation. I'm just glad to know that you do have dogs in your life through your granddog and dog-sitting.

In the last couple of years, I lost the two black Dobermans I had had since I joined LB. Logan, at age 12 and a half, from cancer in October of 2020, and Tasha, at almost 14, three months later from dilated cardiomyopathy in January of 2021. Each one of those losses, like the dogs before them, tore a huge piece out of my heart. Also, both of them were still during the worst of the pandemic, so there were just too many long, lonely days at home, I couldn't stand the silence, and ended up getting a nice Lab mix from a local rescue. A few months later, I adopted a female Doberman from a friend of mine who was retiring her from breeding. Hunter, the Lab, will turn six shortly, and Terra, the Dobe, is seven. So I know I will not have the opportunity for a full dog-life with either of them, but I weighed that against the time and energy required to raise a puppy right and decided I just may be too old for that now!

Anyway, my husband and I and the two dogs are all good. Things come up occasionally, as they do with everyone, and we deal with it, but in general, I think we're okay. I never take anything for granted, though, just keep on hoping for the best.

Wishing all the best to you, too, Tracey.

I'm so sorry to hear of your losses. You're right; each dog passing takes a piece of, if not, all, of your heart.

You have done a wonderful thing, bringing rescues, desperately In need of love and routine into your life and family. God bless you.

I'm 60 next year, so have taken a leap in the dark, and am at the end of the process of selling my house after over forty years in the same village in Norfolk, and moving to Nottingham in the Midlands to be nearer to my sibs. I'm 60 next year, and need a new adventure. There's been no second thoughts or doubts. My brother in law is going to introduce climbing to me, and, by my 60th year, I may climb a mountain ????

Take care, and best wishes for you and yours.

Duplicate post. Sorry, mods.

That sounds like a wonderfully positive step to take in your life, a move to a new town, being close to family, and having the opportunity for a lot of fun new adventures! We're going to want a link to some photos when you get to the top of those mountains.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

That sounds like a wonderfully positive step to take in your life, a move to a new town, being close to family, and having the opportunity for a lot of fun new adventures! We're going to want a link to some photos when you get to the top of those mountains.

Yes, we are, Tracey!