New Year's wishes for those who had a sad 2006

Tracy--I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year. 

Tracy,
 
That was very sweet. Yes, 2006 was a hard year on us. We knew that our time was running out with Babe, she had been in poor health for the last couple of years and I think love, devotion, hope and pure determination keep her with us longer then than we can ever know. Her birthday will be January 22. Till then we just plod on and remember the good times.
 
I lit 3 candles at midnight, the first one was for the ones who had left in previous years, the second for my gran who passed away in April and the 3rd for Babe. I light the candles out on the front porch, sit down and say each of their names, I do this so that they all can see that someone remembers them, someone loved them, and someone still misses them.
 
Dawn

I'm sorry tracy...I hate the death of a loved one[]

In May of 06 we had just gotten a belgian malinois named Mo. She was our Knoxy's gramma. She was a SchIII, OTCh, MACh dog. The breeder, who is close friends with my mom, was going to sell her into retirement. When she heard that my dad was looking for a dog for me because I have pretty bad depression, she offered us Mo for free. The only catch is that we had to drive down to nashville to get her, but we didn't care. Right as we pulled up, she walked out of the house and told us she had a large tear in her elbow. Actually, it was more of a rancid smelling pit. There was bone exposed, it was ooozing and bleeding...it was horrible. She offered us vet care, but she was already short on money. We got it biopsied, and she had cancer.We fed her only raw like the rest of the animals, got her on a boat load of supplements and cancer fighting herbs..nothing helped. On August 1st, we ordered her a large italian beef sanwich, chicken noodle soup, caramel cheesecake and french bread for dinner. The next day we let her off leash in moms woods (20 acres of it) and let her run around with her grandson and jolly ball. She was put down at around 6 o clock that evening

Mo at the sleeve with decoy Jeremy:


Mo with puppy and infamous log

Mo sitting pretty

Dancer, my heart dog of all time, left us in October at the age of 17 1/2.

"Live the dance, whenever you move, in all you do, dance to heal the earth."
-Dee Smith
(From the Native American prayer, "Dance to Heal the Earth")

I hope Winnie got the steak that I was never able to give her because of surgery.  We got her ashes back this week, so she is still by me at the computer.  DH will be making a wooden urn for her.  I will miss her always...

My heart aches for all of you who've lost your fur friend this year.  I've been there and I know how painful it is.  Buffy turned 11 in Nov. and I've started to look at her each day knowing that maybe not this year, maybe not the next, but within the next few years I will probably lose her.  I want to make sure that everyday I let her know how special she is and how much I love her.  Reading this thread makes me realize how short and precious their time is with us.  My thoughts are with all of you and I hope the new year brings a lifting of the pain and more comfort from the memories.

[linkhttp://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/sma18_photo/IMG_0284.jpg]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/sma18_photo/IMG_0284.jpg[/link]              
 
Brody   Aug 1 1999-Dec 12,2006      This beautiful animal (inside and out) died from Ehrlichiosis...please be aware of this disease.....Happy, healthy new year to all

Sorry for my computor problems....All of us who have lost a companion this year are glad the holidays are over...and God willing,  we can begin to heal from our pain.... A hearfelt thanks to all who submit their thoughts and emotions on this site...it is an overwhelming source of comfort    Thanks again to all     sma

I am also hoping that 2007 will be a better year for all of us....
From August on it was difficult, with Talus being sick...
My brother had emergency surgery 2 weeks after Talus got sick...he still has to have his intestine re-attached in January,
My mom had a mini-stroke two weeks ago, and my 43 year old friend had a paralyzing stroke three weeks ago....and my husband was in emergency for elevated blood pressure two weeks ago...
 
You are all in my thoughts and prayers...
May the new year find everyone healthy and remember to live everyday to it's fullest....
Treat everyone with respect and enjoy yourselves...smile....have fun...
 
Maria

Dawn, I love your three candle ceremony.  What a wonderful idea.  I'm sorry to hear about your loss of both Babe and your Gran.  It must be comforting for you to think they have each other for company until you see them again. 
 
Haleigh and Joy, Mo was a beautiful dog -- I've seen a few Malinois dogs before when my husband worked as a decoy with a Schutzhund club.  They're stunning.  What a heartbreak for you to suffer Mo's loss so soon after bringing her into your hearts. 
 
Anne and Marty, Dancer and Winnie were in my thoughts last night as I reflected on all the beloved pets we know who went to the Bridge this year with Tonka.  There sure are some very special, dearly loved and missed furbabies starting their spiritual lives there!
 
Sue, Brody's photo is gorgeous.  I'm so sorry you had to face the sad effects of that terrible disease when Brody was still young. 
 
Maria, I remember you posted about your brother and Tim having medical crises, and I certainly recall my own anxiety for Talus during his emergencies and surgery.  I'm sorry to hear about the strokes suffered by your Mom, and about your much-too-young friend having a major one, too.  Most definitely, some happier times should be on the horizon for your family!
 
I know we all appreciate the blessings in our lives and know we're much better off than lots of other folks around the globe, but that doesn't mean we can't acknowledge our own sadness as the New Year begins.  We can recognize that we've come through some very difficult times and are looking forward to better ones!

I think this is a wonderful thread.  For some of us, it is very fresh, for some it is months or years.  But I doubt many of us will get the understanding from family or friends, that we do here.  We can cry, talk, grieve, console...and know that someone will respond with comforting words.  Thank you everyone for being here.

I am so glad 2006 is over. I lost my beloved 21 year old Onyx cat on January 10 and my heart dog Holly on  July 11.
 
I saw the pyhcic lady(Sylvia?) on Montel show and she said 2006 was not the best of years and 2007 will be better.  
 
I hope so....for all of us here.

Some of you know my parents lost their special Dobe, Joe last night.  Amidst all the pain, one sentiment that came to mind was that Joe's disease and discomfort didn't follow him into another year.  Somehow, leaving the pain behind in 2006 is a small, odd comfort.  That had his death come in 2007, it wouldn't have given my parents the fresh slate it almost feels like now.
 
I am thankful for all the sentiments shared here, too. I wish you all a fresh perspective on gentler days ahead.