please give your dog an extra kiss tonight..

[tatsxxx11]

You know, as hard as it is to believe, you will feel happiness again, but it takes time. One day, you'll think of someting sweet and funny Brooke did, and you'll find your self smililng instead of crying. And before long, little by little, the sadness will be replaced with those cherished memories of happier days. When I first lost Jing, I couldn't bear to move any of her things. To move them, put them away, meant that I was accepting the fact that she was gone and I wasn't ready for that, not right away. Like you, I wanted to keeep her with me, if only through her toys, her blanket, her bowl. One night I laid down and buried my face in her bed and smelled her sweet smell and just cried and cried. After a while, I was able to put it away, but I have it still, 5 years later. And all of her toys are stored safely away in her basket. You're still at that point where her passing has not yet become a reality. I would take as long as needed to work up to that point where you can put those things aside. And when you do, remember, that does not mean that you are forgetting her or betraying her for there is not way on God's earth that could ever happen; you're just moving on to a different phase of the grieving process. One thing that helped me a lot to deal with my girl's passing. I sat down and wrote her a letter, telling her how much I loved her, how much I missed her. I thanked her for her many years of love and companionship we shared and assured her, that one day we would be together again. Before I knew it, I was recounting all of the wonderful years we shared, from the first day she "came home," right through her adult years. Whatever was in my heart, I wrote and before long, it was pages long and hours had passed. I had laughed, cried, smiled and it was a wonderful feeling to think that she was hearing my words and feeling my love.

I have always had yellow Labs, girls, and when it came time to welcome another Labbie into my heart, it was a yellow I longed for. Everyone is different. Some people need that conncection to the love they lost. Some feel, as you say, that they are betraying their lost one by trying to replace her with another "just like her." But you know, even if the color is the same, the personality of each is exclusively their own, especially with Labs If you think it will make you too sad, bring back too many painful memoires, cause you to compare one against the other, than perhaps a black or chocolate would be better for you to deal with emotionally. But you know, when you find that one and only special one, when you make that connection, all of those concerns will fade away and you'll love that new precious puppy for the very special individual that she is! Let your heart be your guide; you'll know what's right.

Me and cody and Star will light a candle for Brooke tonight and we will keep you and her in our thoughts and prayers. I know how very sad you are and it's breaking my heart to think of you feeling so alone; but remember, you're not. Brooke is looking down upon her mommy with such love and we're here for you too, whenever you need to talk.
{{{HUGS}}}} Sandra