I've been posting on here a little now about my new pup that I am getting on the 28th, still counting the days down. I have been so excited but I woke up this morning feeling very down. I was remembering my last dog.

My Gordon Setter (Skelly) was put to sleep almost four and a half years ago now and I was devastated. She lived at my parents and for the last few years of her life I had moved away and had kids and been somewhat distracted from her. She was the love of my life and I adored her. I miss her and I think about her from time to time. This morning I woke up and it felt like she had only gone yesterday. It was horrible. It brought back all the feelings again and I started thinking about the new pup and wondering if I would spend all my time comparing new with old. I know I won't, and I'm getting a pup for all the right reasons.

I wanted to say to Skelly, that I love you and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you near the end, I'm sorry I didn't put my arms around you on that last day and tell them no and protect you. You were my light and my love and even when you weed on my bed :) I adored you just the same. I wish I'd spent more time with you, I wish I hadn't visited my parents and not even seen you sometimes because I was in so much of a hurry to leave. I'm so sorry, it's easy to look back and regret. It must have felt like I had left you, but I had my children and they came first then. But you were my first love. I still love you and I will remember you forever. xxx

Oh, this is hard. I don't know why I wanted to share that. I felt I had to tell someone. I'm in tears here! I wish she was back with me. I don't want to feel like I'm betraying her by getting a new dog.

Poor Sarah! :(
I still feel like that whenever I think about my previous dogs. The important thing to remember is that you loved her and she loved you. You aren't replacing her - nothing can do that. When you had your second baby, you didn't love the first one any less, did you? Having another dog won't detract from your love for Skelly, rather it will enhance it. She won't love you any less.
{{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}

Oh Sarah you have started me off now in work - I do feel for you.

Gina x

It sounds almost as if it has only just suddenlu hit you, because of the imminent arrival of the new pup. Regrets are hard to deal with, I've got one or two that i still can't mention because they are too raw.

Just to say I feel for you too, and take care

Lindsay

We mourn the loss of all those we have loved and have now passed, including those with fur and tails. How wonderful that you loved Skelly so much that you are now going to let a new pup share your life.

This past August I lost my beloved Moxie. I still miss all the dogs that have shared life with me, but Moxie was that special one that even now thinking of her sends tears streaming down my face. The saddest moment of my life was taking her to the vet to be euthanised and watching as she put the needle into her vein. I felt like a murderess, still do, even though I knew then as I know now that it was the kindest and most selfless thing I could do for her. Her life had become a misery and I could not allow her to go on suffering when there was no hope.

In December I brought home a new puppy, Abby. I knew I could not get the same breed, that would be too tough for me. And I knew that no dog would ever replace Moxie, or even come close. Yet I still worried that I would constantly compare the new pup to Moxie. I had so many concerns about how I would accept a new dog that the only thing that moved me to make the decision was living without a dog. I do not like it, plain and simple.

Abby is a lovely puppy. Clever, fun and always happy. Does she fill the hole that Moxie left? Nope. But Abby is gradually grabbing her own little territory in my heart and my life. And she does remind me of Moxie, not because she is exactly like Moxie in temperament or behavior, because she isn't really, but because every time I see that tail wag and her eyes looking up at me it makes me forget any worry or stress I might have held at that moment. That's the essence of living with a dog to me. And how I remember Moxie, Sasha, Suki, Taffy, Pugsy and Zoe.

Enjoy your new puppy. Remember as you are going through housetraining, "no bite" and all the other trials and tribulations of puppyhood that even Skelly was like your new pup at one time too - and look how well she turned out. :-)

Stacey

Oh Sarah,
You've got me filling up because it was 4 years ago yesterday that my lovely Whippet Sidney died in my arms after being hit by a car. I still don't like to think about it for too long as I start to go through the whole experience again in my mind, wondering if there was anything I could have done to prevent it...... So I prefer to just think about the happy times with him.
I'm in the same situation as you, I am collecting my new puppy tomorrow, another Whippet, same colour as Sid but a bitch this time.
I'm sure your Skelly didn't think any less of you when you had others to think of, but was just pleased to see you when you were there, so don't feel bad about it.
Liz

sarah...bit of a long shot, but you dont hail from Yelverton do you??

you have me crying now, that made me remember our old heinz 57 we had as children, his name was archie, but me and my five brothers used to call him cheese for short, why i dont know. Someone poisoned him he died at ten years old, i will always remember that, it was the only time i ever saw my dad cry.

No, I don't know where that is! I had Skelly when I lived in Wedmore in Somerset. Originally from Sussex and now living in Bath!

oh my, lump in my throat and eyes welling. A new dog will have so much love from you.

It was a year this week that I lost William his rose is blooming and he is in a lovely little garden here.
Sending love to all who are grieving..xx

Glenys

I didn't realise it was a year this week.

Sending you lots of Love and hugs

Lucy
xxxx

aaaw Glenys - doesn't seem like a year ago you were taking William on his last holiday and letting him have his special days. Glad the rose is doing well - something nice to remember him by.

Pam n the boys
xx