My very first dog Brandy, passed away when I was 12, that was 26 years ago. I cried for years afterward and I still get misty when I think of him sometimes. With Sheena, who passed away just over 3 years ago, I still cry sometimes. They are just such a huge part of our lives and leave such a space behind. The only way to fill it is to remember the things about them that we love and find another fur baby to shower all that love on.

There are so many things about Sampson that remind me of my other RB dog, Dana, that sometimes I almost call him Dana by accident! I was so grief stricken when I lost Dana that I almost didn't get another dog. I couldn't imagine going through that kind of grief again. But we felt so bad for Sheena, who seemed so lost without her daughter, that we finally broke down and went to the pound. Reebok picked us, and I'm so glad he did

Then we lost Sheena and it seemed even more devastating. Again, I wasn't sure I could love, and then lose, another dog I can't imagine a life without either Reebok or Sampson, though, and I'm glad I found the strength to bring them into my life.

It's easy to love them, but so hard to deal with their loss. I'm getting upset just thinking about it I'm glad I've found a place like this, where we can share our grief with people who understand.