Possum,
I had a little toy silver poodle for 13 years, and when I lost her to a heart attack, it broke my heart. I actually grieved over her for about a year.I still dream about her often, and think of her everyday.
I had carried her around in my arms for 13 years, knew from the look on her face when she was hurting, scared, etc. She was my baby. Every night I'd lay her on my bed, and take a warm bath cloth and clean her face and around her eyes. She loved it.
My Mother has a Pomeranian that is 15, and yesterday I took Mom to the doctor and she was telling me how her dog is trembling, sick, and Mom doesn't know what else to do for her baby. I looked in the little Pomeraniam's eyes and could tell she is close to the end of her life. She, like my poodle, would attack an elephant to save my Mom.
My Mom will be 80 next September. And when she loses this little dog it will devastate her. But I can see it is coming. My Mom has taken better care of this dog than many people take care of their children.
The pain will ease with time, but it hurts to lose a friend, a friend who will lick the tears from your eyes, and love you unconditionally when nobody else will.
I think animals like dogs and cats are angels. They are here for us a short time, but they teach us a lot about unconditional love in that short period.
I find it interesting that you still miss your dear dog even after a year's time. That is indicative of the strength of the bond.
One wonders whether there can be a "Rainbow Bridge." I certainly hope that there is. Call me sentimental but sometimes it is the hope that one can be re-united in the hereafter that can keep us going.
I think that you are right to worry about your Mom. When her baby (and that's what some dogs and cats become, your baby) passes on, it is going to be devastating to her. It might even affect her health (God forbid!); I pray that it doesn't. She'll need some heavy-duty counseling to get her over her loss. The good thing is that she has had her darling dog to comfort her all this time. That, girlangler, as you well know, is a blessing all to itself.
And thank you for that last paragraph. Dogs and cats are little angels, given to us for a brief time, to comfort us, make us happy. They truly are God's gift and we should treat them that way.
Again, thanks for your post. I really appreciate it.