Zoey

[gail pang]

I am so sorry to read of your loss. The pain is real, but gets less, oh
those joyful memories will last forever. She has no more pain, thanks
to you being an unselfish person.

[lbraxton]

The girls have cried and so have I. I just need to stop crying now. I'm better today and I'm at work, for how long I don't know. I need to remove her crate and toys that are lying all over the house. I know I did the right thing, I just wish it felt like the right thing. I was supposed to go to Laguna Beach, CA today w/sister and mother, I canceled. Now, I feel as if I should've gone.

I'm just taking baby steps.

[spoiledbabies3]

Originally Posted by lbraxton

I'm just taking baby steps.

This is really the only way to do it. Birth and death are integral parts of the eternal circle of life. Let your heart weep and the tears flow freely. Then let your heart mend, time will help with this. When it's time, perhaps Zoey will send you another little one to love. Losing one, especially one so young, is devastating. I am very sorry for the loss of Zoey. She will continue to hold a very special place in your heart. She will now fly and watch over you as your "rottie angel". Godspeed Zoey...you will be welcomed by many that have preceded you. You will no longer be in the pain of this world, but will run and play in the glory of the next. You and your family will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

[livertw]

Please share this grieving experience with your girls. Years ago (1982) when our Blackie died, the kids (ages 4 and 8) helped wash up his toys and bowls. They cried over special toys and laughed when remembering silly things they all did together. We put everything away in an old pillow case to wait for the next pet when the time was right. Daisy's current steel water bowl was bought for our long-gone lab Sam in 1974, and her food dish was bought for fox terrier Spot in 1966. Traditions help with the healing. (((Hugs)))

[Karyn]

Originally Posted by livertw

Traditions help with the healing. (((Hugs)))

This is sooooooooo true. Winnie wears Cromwell's collar. When I took Winston to the pet psychic (it was a fund raiser for the Animal Adoption Center) - she told me there were two, but one had crossed over! I knew Crommie was there! IT sounds strange, but that gave me much comfort.

[lovemypuppies]

Oh dear! I am so very sad for you. I have been staying away from this forum because I found myself getting depressed just thinking about your heartbreaking situation. You have done a great kindness for your little darling and I hope you know that she surely feels your true love.

[lbraxton]

I'm doing better. I don't always have good days but I'm getting there. It's amazing because some days I'm able to deal w/it and then other days.....wow! My daughter came to me last night and said she misses Zoey. We talked about it and she understands Zoey is in a better place and that she's now able to run and catch balls. She looked up in the sky and said I love you Zoey and make sure you take a nice long walk - since you couldn't do it here. Tears immediately filled my eyes (and hers) and we cried together. We went and looked at some puppies yesterday but I let her know that we will not be getting another puppy until October. This will give her time to get over Zoey and me as well. Also, school's starting soon and we have vacation scheduled in two weeks. In between that time, we are just keeping them busy. We promised her that every week we would ride out and look at puppies. She enjoyed getting up early and looking at pups. I did too. We saw the cutest one yesterday but I'm not ready. I had it all figured out, we'd put Zoey to sleep and ease the pain by getting another puppy. Needless to say, it works out fine on paper and in your head vs. real life. We're just not ready. We put Zoey's crate and toys up. When we did that, it felt official - she's gone and not coming back. I walked in the laundry room and saw all of her stuff and you know it - I was a big whimp. It's hard but I know that it will get easier. The girls have gone swimming (it's really hot here) and I'm here washing and chatting. Does anyone know of any good breeders in the Washington Metropolitan area (Virginia, DC, Maryland)?

I don't want to go through what I just went through again. I know that nothing is guaranteed but I'd feel a lot better if I was able to go through someone that you all have used.

[winniecnm]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You have an angel at the bridge and she will look down on you till you meet again. Some of the kindest gestures cause the most pain for us dog owners and 7 months is just way too short.

A thought about an addition to your family - read the threads on the breeding forum about how to find a reputable breeder. Most likely you will need to start searching immediately for a good breeder because there will most likely be a waiting list and screen out period - so I don't forsee October being really possible as a bring home date for pup if you want to go with a GOOD COE breeder. He/she will want to get to know you a little, require references and other info.

Zoey has taught you a lot to help you make a good decision about another rottweiler - don't forget the necessity to have the health clearances on the parents and their siblings for HD, ED, CERF, Cardiac - make sure you don't let your desire for another pup to override being a very picky puppy buyer!

[flyballmom]

Ditto what winniecnm said about finding/working with a good breeder. The last thing you want to do is repeat this

I'm glad you're able to talk and cry with your children about this. Immediately after I had Char PTS, one of my first concerns was a few of the small kids that were part of the flyball community who loved her. I didn't know what to say to them...but unbeknownst to me, they'd had their own little memorial, and...if you click on my profile and go to "my" homepage, the little girl sitting in the wagon holding the then puppy Blitz...used her as a topic at school. The exercise was for the kids to talk about something that made them sad...so...your kids need you to be open to all the sadness for them to get thru it. Your days will get easier...

[KatMc]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zoey was so young - but you gave her the most unselfish gift you could ever give her, you set her free.

I just read Zoey's story, thank you for trying.

Kathy

[lbraxton]

It's weird how an animal can touch your heart. My body aches all over. The girls actually took it a lot better than I expected but they are still grieving. I still haven't accepted that she will not be there wagging her knob (tail) or chasing her shadows or even eating her poop (that brought a smile to my face). I wish there was something I could do to bring her back but I can't and honestly, I wouldn't want to. She was in pain and not a happy camper. It had gotten to the point where we had to drag her from in front of the door, step over her to get by and I had to almost carry her outside to use the bathroom. It just doesn't seem fair. The girls want another dog but I'm really not ready for it. I'm already thinking, what if? My husband said I'm not being fair to them. I know that I'm not but I can't begin to imagine losing another dog. I would really lose it. It truly feels as if I've lost my child. The girls are w/my brother going to amusement parks and bike riding for the next couple of days and I really feel alone. Yesterday, I got in the house and went to sleep, got up around 10 and went back to sleep by 11. I woke up this morning really exhausted. I don't know what to do because I think losing her has made me physically ill. I dread going home. I put on this air at work like everything is okay and find myself in the bathroom crying in a stall. I don't want to be here and I don't want to be home. I feel guilty and I feel relieved. Do you understand what I'm saying?

Losing Zoey has left an empty place in my heart never to be filled again, not even by another dog -- a spot reserved only for Zoey. I know it sounds funny, but she has seen me through some very dark times in my life over the last 5 months and all she ever expected was a pat on the head or a treat. Walking in my house and not seeing her coming up to greet me wagging her tail, I honestly think I'm having a breakdown -- I was that attached. Love for husband and family is wonderful, but sharing your life with an animal and learning to communicate with that animal is a miracle. I chose to believe that Zoey and I would grow old together.

Thanks for reading and listening!

[spoiledbabies3]

Your heart will take time to mend. Just give it the time to do that. I have lost 2 to cancer, neither as young as Zoey, but both very painful losses. I also have a boy diagnosed with cancer in April of this year...and Samson is my "heart dog". He is the one that taught me the special traits of rotties and bound my eternal love for the breed. Your tribute to Zoey describes the relationship the two of you shared, a special, unconditional love that cannot be replaced. My best advice is...don't ever try to replace her. It won't happen. She will ALWAYS hold a very special piece of your heart. Each of mine that has gone to the bridge still have a very special place within my heart. I am a firm believer that the things that happen are suppose to, the man upstairs has a reason...don't get me wrong, there are times I get mad as **ll that I can't change the outcome...but I've learned to accept it. Each of mine that has left me, has brought me another that needed a special home in their place. Tuxedo brought me Moses and Sasha brought me Deja Vu. There are so many similarities, yet so many differences. Time will help you to remember Zoey fondly and to smile at her memories. Time will also help you to think about her without tears flowing. My heart aches for you that you have to endure such a great loss but remember she has left you in physical body yet she is forever with you as your "rottie angel". I am truly sorry for you and your family. Let your heart grieve and one day, when you're ready, perhaps there is another little one that will capture a different piece of that generous heart.

[smileygirl]

It will get easier. It will probably never go away. You have so much to give....so when you can bare to take the chance again...think about how much you can give another companion. I've never lost a rottie and it kills me to think about it. I have lost other dogs in my lifetime, my 14 yo springer about a year and a half ago...I still think of her and occasionally think I see her. The rottie is different though...the bond is so amazing. I have vowed never to live without one. I know it won't be the same(even my two current rotties are very different). I just know if I am lucky enough to share this kind of bond...a "true best friend" will always be beside me. I hope things get easier each day and Zoey would want you to be OK.....Tina

[tcote]

Your Zoey wouldn't want you to be sad for her to long. I know your heart hurts now but things will get better. I felt the same way -Just Sick- when we had to pts my Champ at 2 yrs old from cancer. I had him since he was 4 days old-eyedropper- to bottle -to food. He was my heart dog. Even now after 3 yrs when I think of him I'm crying. His mom is still with me and his sister is next door. You will never replace Zoey but you guys have alot of love to give and a warm happy home. There is another rottie out there that will find you someday. Hope you feel better soon! Rotties are sooooooo special!

[lovemypuppies]

I can't find the words to tell you how sorry I am for your loss and deep pain. It does comfort me to read tcote's message, Zoey would not want you to suffer.