My Simba boy...... :(

I think about that, too. And Smokey isn't even 3 yet. But sometimes when we're hanging out together I think about the fact that he's been by my side since the day I could take him... driving from San Diego to Michigan and back. Moving from SD to NYC. Me n' Smokey. How sad I'll be when he's gone... YEARS from now.

You n' Simba still have many happy years together, too.

On the other hand, I think about when Smokey does have to leave - how great it will be to start a whole new relationship with hopefully many dogs. How I'll be able to finally adopt/rescue dogs and remember that Smokey was the cue-ball head that started it all. :)

(I attached one of my fave puppy pics of him just for fun.)

Kay, you are NOT being stupid , and you are NOT to worry. Simba has a long life ahead of him, and should have a very long, happy, happy life. I love you Simba! Give that boy a big hug for me, and wipe away those tears and smile.:)

Not stupid at all.

I think about this all the time, too. Prince just turned two this year. I bawled on his birthday. I just love him so dearly that I cannot imagine life without him.

Dogs just have such a huge impact on our lives, it is amazing.

*hugs*

Kay, this is not stupid at all! I know how you feel, I've been thinking about that lately with Taffy. And today I was talking to my mom and realised my grandpa will be 70 soon. People and pets just don't seem that old until you think about it.

Simba has many, many, many, more years ahead of him. Your a great mom to him and you care about your dogs so much. Just don't worry about the future, just have fun with him everyday and enjoy your time with him.

Just remember, my beloved Gracie - the 3/4 Great Dane, 1/4 Lab mix started going gray - white actually, at about age 4. That, though, apparently meant NOTHING. By the time she was 7 or so, her (formerly solid black) muzzle was all white and she had white rings around here eyes. And yet she lived to the ripe old age of 14 1/2 - almost unheard of for Great Danes - and the vet (who called her "the wee lassie" - he was Scottish) attributed it solely to her being "spoiled rotten" - which is something Simba has in common with her! And as he's a smaller breed, he's expected to live a longer time anyway!

WE ALL think of this each and every day Kay and I know just how you feel! But Sim is still enjoying the best years of his life and he couldn't have a more loving mom than you!!! Dry your tears friend and try to dwell on the incredible love and joy he brings you each and every day!!! We love you Simba:):):) {{{HUGS}}} to you Kay. We love you too. Please don't cry:( Love, Sandra

That's why I get really sad sometimes. I think about Duke being 11 1/2, wondering how much longer he'll be around. That's why I'm not going to see brother for Christmas. Don't want to have to board him on what might be his last Christmas. I don't know why I think that. It terrifies me to even think of life without him. I just dread the day when I lose him. So, I know exactly how you feel.

I'm hesitant to post this because I know it won't help or make you feel any better, but as you probably know, Brooke was healthy until she was 7, when we she died after surgery complications. I dreaded the day I would lose her because I loved her sooooo much even before we ever got her. She was the highlight of my life.

My point is don't take for granted every day you have with them because you just never know (I know that you don't). It just makes us realize we won't have our babies forever. :(

Oh I understand so well what you are saying Kay. I think Glacier's post was really a wonderful outlook, I know I found it comforting. Instead of getting more sad as each year goes by, try to think of it as a wonderful thing that you are getting to share more and more of his life with him, making more memories, more pictures and precious moments. There's never any guarantee that our babies will make it to 1 or 3 or 5, and so when they do it is something to celebrate. When Willie turned 10, I was so happy that he made it to 10 and was still going strong, we still had more time ahead of us yet to treasure each other.

You know, another thing to keep in mind is that there is something special and unique about each stage of a dog's life, and their senior years have special things about them too that you will get to experience. For every dog it's different of course, but for me with my RB boys, they got more and more loving and affectionate and closer to me the older they got. We got more and more to the point where we just read each others' minds. Instead of thinking "next year he'll be 8" try to think "this year he has made it to 7 and we are even closer than ever."

It's hard to explain, and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about anyway. Of course honestly there will always be times when it hits you that he's older and you think about when he won't be there and it hurts so much, but that realization gives you a chance too to relish even more your time together now. And when that day does come that he crosses to the bridge, he will be a part of you forever and ever. That will never ever fade.

I know I was just watching videos last night and watched Tasha as a little puppy. Now she will be 6 soon and I can't believe how fast it has gone. I know after that recent bad scare I had with Tasha, I suddenly wanted nothing more in the world than the chance to be able to watch her live to a ripe old age. I hope and pray that we will have many many more years together, and that you and your boy will too. :)

Thanks everyone for your kind words.
I've been thinking about this all day and hadn't opened the thread because I didn't want to think aobut it THAT much. I just started crying again.

We brought Kiara to the dog park, and when we got home, Simba was so excited to see me even though I was only go for aobut a half hour - 45 minutes.

He kept whining and whining to me, as if he wanted to go outside. He was capable of going out on his own, because we have the house open, but he insisted that I come and would not leave me alone. So I went outside with him and sat on the deck, and him and me were as happy as could be.

I just never want him to go.. I never want the girls to go.
And it's something I just can't stop thinking about.
I actually talked to my friend about it today. She asked what I would do if it did happen. I told her I didn't know. And I don't know. I just can't see life without him. He's been there for me through so much... so much. He let me hug and kiss him, and drip all of the snot and tears on him as I wanted... He let me dress him up for laughter. He's my best friend, and sometimes I feel as if he's my only true friend. I get so much comfort and relief in hugging him. I feel safe around him. I feel happy around him.

I'll shut up now because I honestly could just go on forever.

I know how you feel. People can ask me about the most painful, hurtful anythings in my life and I won't cry. But as soon as I mention something happening to Josie, or knowing she won't be here for ever I burst in to tears. It's scary, I know. I try very hard not to think about it...but it's so hard..:( All you can do is love him and care for him and give him the best home ever

Kay Iyour last post made me go look at the portait of my childhood sister(Patsy was a black cocker /springer mix) She was 16 when I had to have sent to the Rainbow bridge. Mom painted the most wonderful picture of her for me. I got her when I was 2 and the day hubby and Iwent to get our wedding bands we had to drop her off at the vets. Then pick her up after and he helped me put her in her favorite place under aher lilic bush.

She had not barked in 2 years ,blind and was becoming incontant (her pride still intact it just was horrifing for here that she couldn't hold it.) It was the kindest thing i could do, not the easiest . I have lots of memories and pics. I still get weepy sometimes It's just part of it.

Kay I totally understand how you feel. I hope you take comfort knowing that a lot of us would love a chance to have our dogs as young as 7 again. Sadie is 12 now and I despise the fact that I have to work all day away from her.

When I get upset and start thinking too much I focus my attention on Sadie and remind myself to be happy and enjoy every minute I can with her. Our dogs are not with us nearly long enough so we must make an extra effort to etch each moment deep in our memory. Taking many pictures is important too but I think you have that covered! I don't want you to think back one day and be sorry that you were sad at a time you should have been happy.

My rambunctious 12 year old is barking at me now as though she's telling me to practice what I preach. Please don't be too sad but I understand that sometimes you can't help it.

{{HUGS}} I know how you feel, dogs are so much more than...well, dogs. My dogs mean the world to me, I don't know what I would do if I lost them. It's been hard having Smokey gone, it still seems empty without him. Reggie is getting close to 11 years old now. Nebo is getting close to 3 years, I can't even believe that it feels like just yesterday he was a pup. 7 years isn't old yet though, and I know you will have many more wonderful years with that special boy. Just treasure every moment. :)

Ok Kay, reading your post got me crying.

I know what it feels to be afraid to loose someone you
love so much.
Just enjoy Sim each precious day you have him and
remember, Simba is getting the best
life any dog could have by being with you.
(((hugs)))