When my Bailey went to the Rainbow Bridge, my husband and friends put pressure on me to get a puppy. They thought I was grieving too much and having to engage in the puppy raising would bring me out of it. I knew I had done most of my grieving before she passed because of her lengthy illness, but I still couldn't think straight. so I let them talk me into it before I felt I was "ready". So it was only a month after Bailey's passing, when I got Hannah, who as fates would have it turned out to be a terrible puppy and it was winter. At first I felt I couldn't bond with her. She was resistant to housebreaking as well as being a very strong alpha female who seemed to have no need to please. Then she got very sick and I thought I might lose her and I realized how very much I loved her. The next two years were still very difficult, but that love carried me through and even her most contentious characteristics taught me lessons I never dreamed I still had to learn. I guess what I am saying is that I know how difficult it is to know
what to do at a time like this. But in the end, it will probably turn out just fine, even if you think you make some preventable mistakes along the way. Was I ready for another dog....NO. In my haste did I choose the right time of year to raise a puppy....NO. Did I choose the right dog for me.....NO. If I could go back in time, would I do it any differently....NO.

[ September 28, 2001: Message edited by: RachelJ ]