Missing my Penny

[LolasMommy]

It has been almost 4 months since my first doggie Penny passed away at the age of 15 1/2. I welcomed my arms to Lola less than a month later because the pain was too much to bear. Lola has saved my life by picking up the pieces of my heart and putting them back together again. I think about Penny everyday and I still miss her so, but my Lola has definitely helped ease the pain. Last night I saw a video of Penny (it was the first time for me watching a video of her since she passed) and I broke down and cried. It had been a good couple of weeks since I cried for her (although I always carry the sadness with me, I try not to show it on the outside) but last night I couldn't hold it in. I have her ashes on my shelf in my room, and I look at them all the time and silently talk to her. I'm getting better as time goes on, but I will always miss her. It's just hard, especially since I had her from the time I was 6 all the way up to 21. I grew up with her, and she was my best friend. I truly thank her for all the wonderful years she gave me. I will carry them in my heart forever. I see so much of Penny in Lola that it's crazy. Although I think Lola is more of a troublemaker, haha. I miss you Penny. Watch over Lola for me.. Lord knows that little one needs it. <3

 

[Emmasmom]

I wept right along with you when I read your post. Time does ease the sharpness of the pain. Four months is not a long time. Let yourself grieve and weep when you need to.

So glad you have another one to share your life with. They do help us heal and fill our hearts all over again with themselves. Our hearts just seem to keep growing with each Sheltie that we add to our lives.

 

[LolasMommy]

Thank you so much. I keep having to tell myself that 4 months really isn't a long time, but to me every day that passes without her makes it feel like forever. When I first lost her I cried and cried every single day and didn't want to do anything, I didn't even want to be happy because I felt guilty. I think I eventually cried so much that I literally had no tears left. My parents kept pressing for me to get another dog and I was unsure at first until my dad said something that really changed my mind. He said, "all of that love that you have has got to go somewhere". And thats when I realized that another puppy out there needs me. I can give them a great life, and be loved and happy in return. Lola has helped me in so many ways imaginable, she's now licking my foot as I write this post, haha. No other dog will ever replace my precious penny, but I am glad that I allowed myself to open my heart to another puppy. I would be lost without my Lola. I never knew that most sheltie owners will usually always get shelties once they have one in their life. I knew without hesitation that my next pup would be a sheltie. They are such unbelievably great dogs. I'm looking forward to many great years with Lola, full of great memories such as the ones that I shared with the first sheltie that stole my heart, Penny.

 

[Mally's Mom]

My heart goes out to you on the passing of Penny.

Your father sounds like a very wise man. What he said was right on the mark about re-directing all that love.

Shelties know what you need when you need it. Very intuitive dogs, caring and concerned as well. And they are so, so smart.

Lola sounds like a sweetheart. I am glad you were able to open your heart to her. Sounds like she loves you as well.(Mally gives sheltie kisses, too!) Shelties do have that ability to win your heart!!! They are such wonderful dogs. I am happy Lola is in your life, and I bet she is happy to be there!!!

 

[Jaynie]

So sorry to hear about your Penny. I lost my dearest friend and companion, Neechee, at the age of 17, a little over a year ago. The grieving process is sometimes a long and difficult one. I was comforted immensely by having Neechee's ashes and his little cast footprint close to me, and I still am. I still cry for him sometimes, even though I have my Bela - who has been a wonderful help in fixing my broken heart.

It's early on in your grieving process. Give yourself some time. Focus on Lola. And if you have to give in to your tears on occasion, let yourself. My best therapy was making a big collage of all Neechee's obedience ribbons, match score sheets, photos (lots of photos!), and other things (crate tags, his first tiny collar, a few small items he teethed on). I hung it on the wall, and now I can look at it and remember the good times.

 

[LolasMommy]

Thank you all. Your kind words do help and it really means a lot to know that I am not alone.

I have Penny's pawprint also. Our vet's office was kind enough to do it for me without even asking, and I'm really glad they did. The urn where her ashes are kept hold a picture of her on the front and the words "dogs leave pawprints on your heart forever" ( which is so true). Whenever I'm feeling down I just look at it and know that she is there, as well as in my heart. She visits me in my dreams pretty often. Sometimes they are sad dreams, and sometimes happy ones. Either way, it makes me miss her. But mostly it lets me know that she is with me in some way.

 

[LadyMcBeth]

I can feel your pain....and I know how you feel. I lost my heart dog AnnaBelle in April. I just rescued a new sheltie two weeks ago. Daisy (my new dog) is sweet, loving, and a sheltie ...with the sheltie personaly. But she is so different than Anna. I think that's a good thing.

I call Daisy "Anna" half the time. She doesn't respond. Sometimes I think it was too soon, but then I see how she is learning to love me, and I am learning to appreciate her for the wonderful dog she is. I just love shelties. They are wonderful dogs.

Daisy has a new spot in my heart. I still miss Anna. It's been a few weeks (three) since I cried for her. Sometimes Daisy is very aloof (the breed, and she misses her foster family I think) and I miss Anna's devotion to me.

I also know, in my heart, that Anna somehow knows how much a dog is positive therapy for me. I am bipolar, and having a dog gets me moving on depressed days. I will put my dog's needs before mine. Daisy needs walks and so I walk her. It's hard to stay depressed when I am having physical exercise, and caring for someone else.

I am glad you have a new fur-friend. When all settles, she will be saving your life in a way. At least, I can see how Daisy will save mine. One day I was on the couch all day, not wanting to do anything but take her outside to potty. Wouldn't answer then phone, wouldn't walk her, wouldn't eat. Daisy gave me sheltie kisses that day. She knew.

Good luck. I belive another dog is very healing. Doesn't mean you have to miss your dog any less, but you need to live in the present too. Your dog needs love and care. It sure helps me.

 

[Jaynie]

I also know, in my heart, that Anna somehow knows how much a dog is positive therapy for me. I am bipolar, and having a dog gets me moving on depressed days. I will put my dog's needs before mine. Daisy needs walks and so I walk her. It's hard to stay depressed when I am having physical exercise, and caring for someone else.

I am glad you have a new fur-friend. When all settles, she will be saving your life in a way. At least, I can see how Daisy will save mine. One day I was on the couch all day, not wanting to do anything but take her outside to potty. Wouldn't answer then phone, wouldn't walk her, wouldn't eat. Daisy gave me sheltie kisses that day. She knew.

Beth, you are SO RIGHT! I am disabled, and with that comes major depression. If it weren't for the needs of my Bela, I wouldn't even move some days. She saves my life on a daily basis and gets me outside and walking.

My little elderly Neechee stuck by me until he knew I was on the way to recovering from my spinal surgeries, a nasty divorce, and the loss of my home and my independence. He waited until a couple of months after I married my DH Steve (the love of my life), and then he bowed gracefully out. They know.

Bela has so many problems that I want us to work on (she's a rescued puppy mill mama) and that keeps my mind off my own problems.

I don't know how they know, but they do.

 

[Mally's Mom]

I also know, in my heart, that Anna somehow knows how much a dog is positive therapy for me. I am bipolar, and having a dog gets me moving on depressed days. I will put my dog's needs before mine. Daisy needs walks and so I walk her. It's hard to stay depressed when I am having physical exercise, and caring for someone else.

I am glad you have a new fur-friend. When all settles, she will be saving your life in a way. At least, I can see how Daisy will save mine. One day I was on the couch all day, not wanting to do anything but take her outside to potty. Wouldn't answer then phone, wouldn't walk her, wouldn't eat. Daisy gave me sheltie kisses that day. She knew.


Beth, you are SO RIGHT! I am disabled, and with that comes major depression. If it weren't for the needs of my Bela, I wouldn't even move some days. She saves my life on a daily basis and gets me outside and walking.

My little elderly Neechee stuck by me until he knew I was on the way to recovering from my spinal surgeries, a nasty divorce, and the loss of my home and my independence. He waited until a couple of months after I married my DH Steve (the love of my life), and then he bowed gracefully out. They know.

Bela has so many problems that I want us to work on (she's a rescued puppy mill mama) and that keeps my mind off my own problems.

I don't know how they know, but they do.

I believe they know because they have that SHELTIE INTUITION.
They "read us" so very well. Also, they totally care about us.
When we are doing well/they are doing well. I feel our Mally makes it his
life's mission to make certain "his" whole household is running smoothly.
God love him, and all the other shelties!!!! Shelties are the best!!!!

 

[MaggieMae]

I'm so sorry about your loss of Penny - it's so difficult to lose these precious dogs. We lost our special Maggie Mae at the end of February and our lovely Fillie at the beginning of June. We really didn't think we could make it. Our hearts and our home was so empty. Once you give your heart to a Sheltie - it is a forever thing. We adopted a little bi-black male who is so different from our girls but is so perfect for us. Little by little the pain is lessening while we teach him things and groom him and study dog foods. We've had him three weeks and each week he is becoming closer and closer to us and we just love him! I think Lola will be the same for you - helping you through your grief she will become your very best friend!