Tough choice, Kelly.

Takes a damn good friend to make a totally unselfish choice like that.

 Quote: Kelly Byrd

I was afraid to tell our story to LB. I was afraid of hearing the 'you should have an emergency fund for your pets" lecture that so commonly is said, and even I've said it.

There is always a scenerio worse than the worst you can plan for. Anybody who would say any different hasn't experienced a true hardship that taxes their "plan". It can always be worse.

Wanna make God laugh? Tell him your "plans".

You did everything perfect, IMO.

Kelly, my grandfather told me something when I lost my very first dog Sam. I have never forgotten it, and I would like to share the wise words of the most dear and wonderful man that ever walked the earth (in my opinion, of course).

He told me that our animals come into our lives for a reason. They are here to teach us something, comfort us after a loss, or just show us a path that we should take that we had never noticed before.

I think Sara came to your family to share her love and teach you all the lessons that she was here to teach you. But, I think that her job was done with your family- you learned her lessons quickly. Rather than calling her to the Bridge, God thought that she was SOOOOO special that he gave her another mission to fulfill with another family.

That's what I would like to think, anyway...

Hugs to you and your family as you make your way through this loss. Drifty Dog says she's here for you if you need her

--Kel

Wow, thank you Kelly..... that is especially meaningfull since we've lost Sara to our family, but she's moved on....

I hope she can bless her current family like she has us, and that they learn the lessons she's got to offer.


I'm crying now. Where is that Drifty dog....

OH.... and Koenig has been a trouper. He's not gotten the required DS exercise amounts since last Friday, and while he has gotten a bit rambunctious, he's being rather amazing considering his usual attitude when he's without exercise.

He knows we're sad, and is happy to lay on our laps for hours, only starting to fidget when we forget to pet him. He's being clingier then normal (which I didn't know was possibly) but it trying to help.


The kids took the news MUCH better then I had expected. Kylie (3) tells me once or twice a day "I miss Sara", or this morning was "Mommy, we only have 1 dog". Logan hasn't said anything since the initial explanation. That surprised me, but after Richard and I talked about it, it made sense. Sara was RICHARD'S dog. Koenig is MY dog. The kids are allowed to play with them, but only when we're specifically supervising. They are not as centered on being a 'family' pet as the dogs I grew up with. We've encouraged a strong bond with one person over the entire group...and that could be why the kids didn't have as strong reaction to the loss of Sara, I suppose.

 Quote: Kelly Byrd

Where is that Drifty dog....

Right here... snuggle on in

"He knows we're sad, and is happy to lay on our laps for hours, only starting to fidget when we forget to pet him. He's being clingier then normal (which I didn't know was possibly) but it trying to help. "



Here is where the dog will help you, because he needs you to be strong and to stand tall. It's a very honorable goal, IMO, to maintain the best strength and calm and matter-of-fact demeanor possible, for the sake of the pack members who need to see you as the reliable leader.

A whole lot of my own strength in the face of adversity has been a fake-it-till-you-make-it thing for the sake of the pack who rely on me as their pillar.

I thought I replied to this days ago..... whoops!

THANK YOU CONNIE.... I really needed that kick in the ass. Really. Koenig is much happier, now that I'm back to my normal pack leader self, not moping around in self pity.

Today, Koenig got to meet a Dutchie admirer at the park.