BJ

Thank you Marj37. I would love another dog in the future. You find it hard to believe you will ever love another dog as much again. I had a poodle when I was 7. I had longed for a dog and he lived to 15 years old. I never thought another dog could mean more. Then along came Bob. We were so close. I think it was because I needed him so much when husband left. No dog may ever mean so much but I hope to have that special relationship with another beautiful dog one day x

Kayc, I don't think I am ready to foster any dog at the moment, but at least I know I tried. A fishing hook! How amazing that it passed through!

Thank you Jolyne. I am sorry to hear of your losses too and it is helping to know that others feel as strongly as me. I will get another dog in the future, but not for a while. Keeping Bob healthy and well meant I had to use my credit card when I could no longer afford the insurance and I now have to pay it off. I need to know I can afford to take care of my next dog just as well and I also need to make sure I don't add further financial pressure onto myself. Bobby was worth it all and deserved the best. He was there for me in the darkest of times. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

I believe in Shadowlands, CS Lewis'wife says 'The pain is part of the loving'. If we love so much then the pain will follow. But the love is worth it. A razor blade! Doesn't bear thinking about! I tried to foster a dog a few weeks ago. He had health problems. I lasted a few hours but really wasn't ready. Thankfully the rescue understood and already had someone else lined up. I thought it would fill a hole but it just made me realise how big the hole was! X

Thank you MartyT for your kind words. It really helps to know that there are people out there who understand. I hope Arlie lives to a ripe old age kayc. I feel blessed that Bob lived to ten. He had medical conditions from an early age and at 7 he had 3 operations for eating foreign objects. Silicon cupcake cases, two and a half wooden spoons and a small twig. If it smelt of food it was fair game! The twig probably had cat poo on it! Typical lab! That's when the insurance premium rocketed. I miss Bobby kisses. When I was crying the other day I thought, if he was here he would be licking my tears away and wagging his tail. Miss him x

Oh, isn't he gorgeous! I would love a big hug from him! He looks like he loves life! Sounds like you have had it rough since you lost your husband. I imagine Arlie has helped get you through. What age is he now? I sobbed again today. I had had a stressful morning at work and was driving home for lunch. You know, you just forget sometimes. I suddenly had the feeling of 'at least its lunch time' and I looked forward to seeing Bob as I had done so many times. Those are tough times, when you forget just for a second and then you realise he won't be there with his big lab grin and wagging tail. SO tough! I have attached my favourite photo of Bobby as a puppy. Take care.

Thanks kayc. So sorry to hear of your job loss. I hope you find something else soon. I must admit I paid for the trip on my credit card. I had paid so much out anyway on Bob's meds and treatments, I thought that I would do this one last thing for him. We went to many places we had been on previous trips, including a favourite beach where I used to swim with him. It was Easter and the weather was amazing, we had such a beautiful, special time. I am left with a credit card bill to pay off and, although it has been tough, I know I did all I could to keep him well and happy, until I could do no more. What sort of dog do you have and what is his/her name? X

Thank you for responding so quickly hollowheart. I have never joined an online group like this before but was so desperate to find someone who knew how I felt. I have friends with dogs but I don't think they understand how close our bond was. My youngest daughter gets it, but she has a fiance, I had Bobby. I walked him every morning, gave him his epilepsy and arthritis meds every day. I had to go into debt to pay the vet bills when his insurance premium rocketed. I holidayed with him when my ex took my daughters away. Whatever stress came my way, he was there and I felt comforted. I am a Christian and I believe he was sent to get me through my darkest days as my family fell apart. I am SO grateful for the 10 years I had him, but the pain is so great. I hope you don't mind me sharing my poem, it sums up how I feel. It is me and Bob in the photo, on a beach we travelled to many times. X

Hi Kelly, I am so sorry for your loss of Karma, she was gorgeous. I have come on this site to find people who understand as I had to say goodbye to my best friend Bobby 5 months ago. He was a yellow lab. My heart is broken, I am suffering anxiety. I get on with life day to day, but the heavy weight is constantly there. I can cry at the drop of a hat, especially when talking about him. The pain is as great as losing a human friend. He was there for me through my divorce. He had many medical conditions and finally lost a battle with cancer. The deal was, he looked after me, I looked after him. He kept the deal so well. I wrote a poem about him. One line said, 'He was my smile in the morning and my kiss goodnight'. So true. I TOTALLY understand your pain. I have attached a photo of Bob on a special holiday we took when we knew we would be losing him xx