Sheba

Hi,
 
I too am new to this forum.  I just vitied the dog.com outlet store yesterday.  This is a great forum.  Sheba sounds like she was a wonderful dog and a great companion to you and Sadie.  My first dog after I moved out of the house was a Beagle mix named Happy.  I had dogs all my life, but he was the first that was mine!  He lived aboout 9 years and wnet to the bridge on August 22, 1997.  He always held a special place in my heart.
 
Last year, on Septerber 12th, we had to help his sister, Ginny ( a setter/spanial mix) to the Bridge.  She was about 15 1/2 (all of our dogs are shelter dogs).  We atill have Harry who is a terrier mix about 7ish that we got in 2001.  And a new boy, a Golden named Cosmo that has been with us for 4 weeks.  Both times when we lost dogs, the other dog went throuh a grieveing process.  Ginny grieved the longest after Happy died.  It was about a month.
 
When Ginny died, we brought the blanket home that she was on, laid it on the floor, and let Harry smell it.  It was a bit eerie, he walked around and sat by the blanket, "guarding" it for about an hour, then he seemed ok.  He did not grieve as bad as Ginny did.
 
I am sure that if you took her to the park now she would be better.  It seems that God has blessed dogs with the ability to move on and live in the moment, unlike us who live in the past and worry about the future.  Our dogs don't worry about getting old and dying, they just live in the moment.  I would try and see how she does around other dogs at the park, and maybe a visit to a sheter will be in order!

Sheba was so lucky to have you for an owner.  The most important thing for you to do is to keep her alive in your memories and all the wonderful stories you tell about her. (((((hugs)))))

Oh thank you so much. I feel that Sheba gave me so much more than I could have ever given her. Even though I know how sick she was and there wasn't anything that could save her, I guess because she was my first dog and the first I lost, I coulldn't help but feel that if I had taken better care of her she could have lived longer. My husband helped me get through that and Sadie did too.

I think Sadie's grieving process went through stages. For the longest time she would go lay in the kitchen in the same spot where Sheba used to lay. And then of course there was her reaction to the dog park. She eventually seemed to get past it though. I think I will try to take her to the park and see how she does.

Thank you so much for your comments. Losing a pet is losing a member of the family.

Leigh

I'm sorry for your loss.  I am sure Sheba knew how much she was loved.

Run free, Sheba. Catch that squirrel ...
 

Run free, Sheba.

We recently lost a grand old lady named Socks. We have not lifted her bed out of the bedroom, yet and my pointer will go and lay there for a few minutes before going to her own bed to sleep.  We walked around with a whole in our heart and still can't put her stuff away.  We are burying her ashes this week and will probasbly include her personal things with them.

Never let anyone tell you that she was "just a dog".

What an angel face !  You are lucky that God took her, sparing you the pain, oh what pain to make that final decision.  She was blessed to have you as a mom and a dad who loved her.  What more could a dog ask for?  She is happy and free of pain now and you will see her again one day.

Sheba was such a pretty girl!  Reading your story about Sheba and Sadie and how Sheba showed she was boss... reminds me of so many times FeFe (only 12 pounds) showed her sissy Gracie (almost 40 pounds) who was boss.  []  I know Sheba gave you lots of love, just as you gave it to her.  Animals can bring out the best in us, I think.  I'm so sorry that she passed away but I'm glad you didn't have to help her in the end.  That would have been so hard to do. 
 
Give that Sadie lots of hugs and kisses (and some sloppy kisses from Gracie and Trixie).  I fully believe animals grieve but I think she's got a good mommy and daddy that have helped her through it... and she's helped you guys a great deal too.
 
BTW, love the photos []  I can see why they're your favorites.

I am sure that, by now, she has met Mako and that they are catching squirrels daily.
I think that, at the Bridge, they must let them go, but at least they get to catch.[]

Missy,

Isn't it funny how a small doggy can command such respect? It never ceased to amaze me that Sadie would freeze in her tracks whenever Sheba gave that "I've had enough" growl. It cracked us up every time.

You are right, I don't know what I would have done without Sadie. She is such a wonderful dog. Someone posted recently that dogs are not people and we shouldn't treat them as such, but in my opinion they offer something people can't: Unconditional love. You can't beat that as far as I am concerned.

Leigh

Leigh,
 
Oh yeah... it is the funniest thing when a smaller dog has the upper paw on the bigger dogs!  My family had a dog for almost 16 years, he couldn't have been more than 12 pounds and when our neighbor walked her Great Dane ast our house... Sam went on the attack.  Barking and nipping at the other dog's feet and lower legs (that's all he could reach lol).  The other dog couldn't be bothered at first but then I noticed he started walking away from Sam, even hiding behind our neighbor.  FeFe was the same way, didn't matter if it was a mouse, dog or cat... she wanted everyone to know it was HER house and HER yard. 
 
Your Sadie sounds like a sweet girl and very much helped you when you guys needed it the most.  I saw the post you were talking about... that dogs aren't people.  I couldn't agree with you more... dogs give us something people can't, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!  The experiences I've had with Fe, the good and bad are something that changed my life and my perspective. 
 
I'm glad you posted []  Give Sadie some loves from Gracie and Trixie!
 

What a lovely girl Sheba was and how sweet she and Sadie were together; so sorry for your loss.
 
Wishing you comfort and peace for pretty Sheba.

My heart goes out to you. Never forget the great times you had with her. She is running free in the park now.
I know how you feel as we just lost our dog named sheba too a few weeks back. We have her baby Cody still and he is getting me through the days. He is his momma's son. []. He is not so young anymore. He is now 11 himself.
 
Just wanted to send you hugs.
 
Jackie