So many years ago

Reading what you wrote made tears come to my eyes. You see, last month I lost my dog. She was put to sleep. I know how you feel about how understanding a dog can be. Sometimes I would hold Lady's face in my hands and rest my chin on top of her long snout. I always felt it had a perfect fit there, and I could tell her anything. I look at her picture now and I want to dry. The tears come to my eyes but and I miss her so much! I think it does get more easy with time but, I know how it is to have a dog be your very best friend.

I'm sorry for your loss, yea it does get better and its been years for me, theres been marriage and kids and other dogs but I guess at 10 yrs thru to 23 yrs she was in all the important years, lost my mum, got married, had kids etc. She helped thru the informative years you might say.
A special part is always left behind for us to remember them by, I'm sure Lady will always be there with you. Its a blessing to have been loved as much as we are by our little furry friends. We are very lucky to have had them.

I was about 10 or 11 when I got Lady. She died a few weeks before my own 23rd birthday.

Then I guess you really do know what I am talking about. All those emotional times we go thru and there is one reliable thing. I bet Lady was a great help with the upheavals you had in life at that age.Yea, for dogs who can rescue their humans even when the dogs arn't there anymore. Guess I'm just having a low time at the moment and I am craving the love I got from my little dog.

Oh she was! You mentioned that you don't hav a dog now, maybe you should look in to getting a new one. A new one can never replace your old best friend but, it is nice to hav a dog around.

Mr. Phipps was my buddy when I was young.  He lived to be 15, and I missed him long after the rest of my family thought I was over it.  To this day.  But, I have had the good fortune to have a life filled with many other dogs, all special in their own way, and all missed as deeply when they leave.  Those times of loss are painful, but like the song says, if I hadn't....I'd have missed the dance.

I agree. The companionship is worth the pain of loss. It is a blessing to have in our lives a creature who means that much and who's passing is such a loss. What is not a loss are the good memories, the goofy behavior, the soft eyes looking at you, the nuzzles, the lazy times you just sat there watching t.v. or reading and stroking his or her fur. We have a short on this earth and that time is immeasurably enriched by our furry companions.
 

We have a short on this earth and that time is immeasurably enriched by our furry companions.

ORIGINAL: ron2

I agree. The companionship is worth the pain of loss. It is a blessing to have in our lives a creature who means that much and who's passing is such a loss. What is not a loss are the good memories, the goofy behavior, the soft eyes looking at you, the nuzzles, the lazy times you just sat there watching t.v. or reading and stroking his or her fur. We have a short on this earth and that time is immeasurably enriched by our furry companions.

 
So true!

I was 14 when we got Keish and 28 when he died.  He was my protector. He protected me from bad boys and men who wanted to take advantage of me.  He would park himself between any boy and me to let them know "HE" was mine or "I" was his !   He was a furry norweigan elkhound and knocked the gasman to the ground and was at his throat til we called him off.  Oh yes, what a watchdog!
 
It is heartbreaking because as you said, they were there thru the hard times of growing up,,,and now they are gone.He was my heartdog.
 
I waited until I was 40 to get my 2nd dog. She became my 2nd heartdog and just died when I turned 50.   It is just as hard at 28 or 50,,,,to loose your best friend.

Thank you all so much for your replies. I live with my husband and children and the mother in law in our home and unfortunately hubby and MIL don't appreciate dogs as I do. As I have gotten older now 42, my need for that bond with my dog has got stronger and I so want a dog to love, however, its hard as I wouldn't want to bring a dog into a family where some members wouldn't appreciate her. My kids and I so want one but I'm also thinking of the dog and it being able to feel comfortable in its own home. I find it hard to understand how some people cant relat to animals as I do. I guess we are all made differently and brought up differently but its hard when such diverse feelings are under one roof. I also work alot so would feel bad as the dog would be spending alot time with those who don't want it. Maybe they would come around with its big friendly eyes ??? Still testing the water on that one. Anyway, Its been great being in the presence of others who truly understand the bond that can be shared with our fur kids so thank you all very much it really is appreciated.