[EnnisExile]

Already posted here, here, and here.

You had me going there for a minute - you're such a cut-up! And thanks for your kind thoughts in post #10.

[I_be_tc]

My husband and I have never had children, so over the past 22 years (and many more when I was single) we have loved and lost several animal babies. To this day, I sometimes wake up with a heavy heart for some of my past loved animals. A different one each time. None can ever take the place of another, but everytime I love them deeply.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY knowing your precious chow loved you!

TC

[afraidfortherepublic]

Someone linked this thread to another. I realize that you lost your beloved dog more than a year ago. I hope you have adopted another. I know that after my 15 year old Golden Retriever died several years ago, we said, "No more."

1)After all, we are over 60.

2)There are no children in the house any more.

3)It's not fair to take on a dog.

4)A dog is too much trouble.

5)We might die before the dog does -- what then?

6)The dog will just die, and we can't go through it again.

7) Owning another dog will hamper our travel plans.

8)We work all the time.

9)No dog will measure up to the one that died.

All the usual excuses.

We held out for four years, and then we couldn't stand it any more. I contacted a rescue organization (Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin) and before I knew it we had passed the interview and home visit and had adopted a new dog. He's just wonderful and more than I could have ever dreamed of.

He does not replace our deceased dog, but in many ways he is even better. He really fills a hole in our hearts and our lives. His picture with one of my grandchildren is below:

So, if you haven't adopted a new dog yet, I highly recomend it.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Oh, forgive me. After reading the whole thread, I realize that you HAVE already adopted a new dog. Congratulations. That was a good plan. I just wish that the pictures would show up! :)