SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

Those of you who have read about our late, great Mr. K will perhaps recall that he died last Thanksgiving morning, laying just next to our old girl dog's wire crate. She was right there beside us watching him breathe his last breath as I held his head and my H stroked his fur coat for the last time.

Since then, if she is around when I speak of him to my H, using ANY of the nicknames we had for him, she'll do something that lets us know she is strongly affected just by hearing about him, In Memoriam.

This morning, we had brought her in the house while the 9 month old "bomber boy" GSD pup Mink was in his play yard romping around chasing ball toys to burn off a bit of his insane energy. She took the rare opportunity to get some Mommy love without Boy Dog #1 being offended. (He barks furiously any time we touch the poor girl!) She just happened to be laying on the rug right next to her crate, and I was fixing the throw rug inside her crate. She rolled up and put her paws over her eyes, acting all cute, for some attention.

So I gave her a belly rub and told her I was sorry that the pup we tried long and hard to find for her new companion, is being just TOO much dog sometimes, and we are sorry that she can't romp and play together with him as much as she might have wanted to do.

In saying that, I added to my H "he sure isn't like our old K-Dog, is he?" and just then, she let out a big long howl!

Me: "...I said the K word, didn't I?"

Him: "Yep."

Missy: AWOOOOOO

How sad. She's letting you know she's joining you in your grief. Of course, they form strong bonds with each other and miss each other. I hope she stays around for a long time and young, Mr. Mink learns to appreciate her.

Thank you Jeanniegirl. He was our furbaby, but he was her Lover boy! They used to give and get lots of kisses, it was such a sweet thing to witness. Imagine how she feels losing her kissy mate and getting a BRAT for a new BF?! (Mr. Mink is now going through one of those hormonal surge stages where he isn't appreciating anybody too much...plus he thinks he is ONLY dog. He came that way. Makes us all miss the old guy even more.)

Well that just brought a fresh set of tears to my wet eyes. I love the way your writing brings your dogs to life. It's like I can see them and feel your love for them.

I can't get through a day without tears for my Z dog. Rescue dog is missing his buddy and struggling to find his way without him.

What a precious, beautiful story. Lots of love and ear scritches for Missy.

The animal human bond is amazingly strong, and the animal to aminal bond can be just strong. My two cats don’t like each other at all, despite being sold to me as a bonded pair from the pound, but every now and again when they are nice to each other, it melts my heart.

And how sweet that you have another creature to grieve with for your missing boy.

Beautiful description, Superesse…brings those warm tears for me too. ❤️

I still miss my T-man terribly…it’s almost been a year and the tears still come. Strangely, I’ve been able to feel that ache - literally, just feel the ache in my heart - and realize, this is love. It’s the same way it felt when he was still physically present…when he would do the things that would make my heart feel like it would burst from the love I felt. I adored that sweet boy…and I wouldn’t take anything for the way it makes my heart feel - even now, that just the current story has changed.

What a blessing to have these creatures in our lives. They’re like God, incarnate. And just a small little part at that. ❤️

Sup,
This story breaks my heart. My oldest chocolate boy seems to be a bit more reflective and quiet since his sister left.
He just turned 5 a couple days ago so maybe its just maturity and aggravation of the puppy driving him and all of us insane from time to time. Of course while typing this they are eating each others faces. Lol.

I have a plan to make a shadow box for my son with her collar tag footprint etc.

Thanks to each of you whose hearts are so full of that special bonded pet love. We see how their love for us lives within us, forever. I guess in that sense, they are beyond mortal: their love for us only dies when we do.

Tush, it sounds like you guys are going through the same new pup transition that we are. I know what you are saying about seeing a more reflective older dog. He may be longing for her, especially when he gets tired of the puppy's guff. Have you tried casually mentioning the old girl's name around him, and watching for any reaction? If you do try this, have the Kleenex box handy...

I hadn't expressed this before about my new pup to anyone, but as much as I am very fond of him and vice versa, it's no secret that Missy is still 'on the fence' about him...quite literally. The only time she wants to engage with him is when he's out in his play yard and she likes to run around the outside of the fence, safe from his onslaughts, both dogs chasing the balls we throw (we have 2 for her and 2 for him.) They do occasional play bows facing each other, but if there isn't a fence between them, she ends up having to bark and show her teeth at him, since he doesn't know his place - at least in her mind! He got loose in the house this morning when I opened his crate to water him, and he roamed around until they met face to face. I saw them do the play bows for 2 seconds, before she had to use her teeth on him...it got crazy!

I think it is so beautiful that you can see how your dogs are missing the one that is gone.

Ever since my Maggie died, none of our remaining dogs have showed the tiniest bit of awareness/concern about her absence. It has really thrown me for a loop. I guess I’m glad they’re not terribly sad, but I just can’t understand it.