Four Pack Sadness Around Here
It’s been such a difficult few months for me, and I know you will understand. My four-pack has become a one-pack, and I miss these babies so much.
Upper left: Tinkerbell, Center: Rosie, Upper right: Chelsea, and front right: Gracie
We said goodbye to Tinkerbell a year ago around this time. She was my first rescue from Muttville in San Francisco.
We had to say goodbye to Chelsea in September of this year. She suffered from congestive heart failure and, towards the end, could hardly breathe. I’ve had her since she was a baby, and she lived to be 16 1/2, so this was an extremely hard one for me. It hurt so much I am just now beginning to recover.
Then, last week, we said goodbye to Gracie. She’s had a cough that wasn’t improving, and she’s been winded after simple exertions. She was drinking tons of water, and I started having to drag her on walks. She would just stop. She’s been on heart medication for about 8 months, and I was relating it to that. I took her in for a check-up, and our vet was shocked when she did an x-ray. She found cancer filling her liver, kidneys, and lungs. It caught us all by surprise. She was fine 8 months ago, and there was no sign of cancer. So this was a very aggressive cancer and too far gone for chemo.
My heart is filled with wonderful memories that I know will never fade. But, Gracie & Rosie were a bonded pair (both from Muttville in San Francisco).
Rosie with her two matching bookends.
Rosie is one lonely little dog. She is staying very close to me, but I can tell she is depressed. I feel so sorry for her.
I think that maybe I should start the search for a new friend for her. A small companion who is as sweet as she is. Have you had a bonded pair of dogs who lost their partner? Any suggestions on how to handle this?
I know it takes time to heal from a loss like this, but dang, it’s hard. At least I understand it, but my sweet Rosie is feeling lost.
Hugs to all of you who have ever lost a pet. I’m thinking of you,
Anne
35 Comments
Mary
I am so sorry Anne, they are our children, our family & it is so unfair to have to ever say goodbye to your child-i have had to do so way too many times. i hope Rosie is spending a lot of time with you, you really need each other right now, lots of love and prayers coming to you and all of your babies!
Janet F
Anne, I’ve been thinking about you since I read this post Saturday night. I’m so sorry for your multiple losses … in the back of my mind I was hoping Chelsea was still with you, but to lose three is such a blow!
When we lost our girl, True, last September, our boy, Jax, was very mopey (as was I). He had never known our home without True at the helm. We usually try and wait 3 months after a loss, but I was concerned for him and we adopted Casey after 6 weeks. Compared to all of the rest of us, she’s a youngster, but has been a real shot in the arm for us all.
Maybe Rosie would like to pick her new friend? I know you have a rescue you work with and I’m sure they would accommodate a few meet and greets for you all.
My best to you, Anne
Kristie Michalowski
Yes I do believe dogs grieve. I am so sorry for your losses. I recently lost my 16 1/2 y.o. pug in August of this year. My other dogs are just getting their zoomies back. Just love your sweet little one as you would…in time it will get better her.
Debbi
To echo many others, my heart breaks for you. Your willingness to rescue senior animals, knowing that your time with them will be short, is such a blessing to the animals you rescue and to the people whose hearts you touch (even when it is remotely, as with the blog).
We lost our Sam to cancer several years ago and Gracie Rae became deeply depressed. Gracie Rae was special needs when we adopted her (completely terrified of humans and virtually everything else) and Sam taught her how to first, be a dog, and second, how to trust the human members of our pack and, eventually, the larger world. Gracie Rae stopped eating and was uninterested in everything. She would not really engage with our other dog, Roux. She just wanted Sam back.
That all changed when I was asked to take on two four week old puppies who were rescued with their mother and the litter. It was a large litter and two of the puppies were not getting sufficient milk and it was not clear if they would make it even with round the clock syringe feeding and subcutaneous fluids. Gracie Rae showed passing interest at first but slowly began to come around. By the time the puppies were adoption age, she was back to something approaching her old self. We wound up keeping one of the puppies, Charlie, and Gracie Rae is a happy, healthy 14-year-old dog now.
I would not actually recommend adopting a puppy but would recommend getting Rosie a companion. Had the rescue not called me looking for help, I would have started looking for a mature dog for Gracie Rae. Most rescues will agree to trial adoptions since they want their animals to be well matched with their families. You might want to think about opening your heart once again to another animal. Do give it time if you decide to do this though. Gracie Rae did not recover overnight but I am think she might have died of a broken heart if we had not found her another dog when she lost Sam.
Whatever you decide, I wish you and Rosie nothing but the best.
Linda B.
I am so very sorry. Precious pups. May the Good Lord comfort you.
elizabeth kent weymier
It takes time, just like with people. I personally, from experience, don’t think getting another dog right away is the answer. Give her time to grieve. I rescued special needs doxies for 20 years and had one of my own from a puppy. She died of cancer 2 years ago this week at 15 and she went through the loss of all 6 of the rescued doxies and my husband and she grieved every loss, but eventually bounced back. After the last rescue doxie died and my husband died, she became the “only child”, as we always had 3 rescues at a time, she bounced back, but differently. She became more protective, more mothering of me. She instinctively knew it was just the two of us and she had a new role. As much as she loved all her brothers and sisters, I believe she also loved being the only dog, as she finally received all my attention, which she truly deserved. So give your pup sone time and see if she likes being the “one” or if she wants more brothers and sisters down the road. Sadly, there are always dogs to adopt. It’s very hard and I wish you all the best.
Nel
I’m so sorry. We lost half our pack last year – including a rat terrier named Tinkerbell – and they are so missed. Hugs to you and Rosie.
Barb Haakonson
It is so hard to lose a pet, and you have lost so many in this last year. Thinking of you.
Frances Brooks
our pets are part of our family and as such can be missed so very much for all the love they give so freely. My heartfelt condolences for the loss of their love and companionship. What a wonderful life they had with you and the love you shared.
Janet
Oh Anne, I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved fur babies. They bring so much to our lives and leave such a big hole when they are gone. Hugs to you.
Andrea Hickman
I’m so sorry for you and Rosie. Losing a pet is so hard, but I can’t imagine 3. I hope you find a companion for Rosie.
Dee
Hugs to you and Rosie! That’s a lot!
Leigh
Anne, so very deeply truly sorry. Hugs to you and know we walk through this with you.
Dawn
I am so sorry for your loss. I just lost my baby in September too. I had her for 16 years! It’s hard – I still cry. Prayers for you and Rosie! I have a Rosie too. She’s a Beagle.
Allie Barchi
Anne,
My heart breaks for you and Rosie.
I have experienced this several times as I have always had a pr of dogs.
I have a Rosie who is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who I “rescued “ from an Amish farm at age two bc she wouldn’t get pregnant. She was well cared for and if I hadn’t been there to buy straw, she would have been a house dog with the elderly mom of the boys running farm.
Anyhow.at the time she made dog #3 with two very mature dogs.
Early in 2021, our beloved bichon poo at age 16 became sick suddenly with aggressive cancer then our standard poodle had mammary tumors and the last one was cancerous. She was still playful until the last couple days and died in her sleep Christmas Eve.
My dogs are farm dogs and loves to play outside the barn and be around the horses and also travel in the truck .
Rosie was very sad being alone but just wasn’t ready myself and didn’t know when she was then June last year all changed. I had driven to Fair Hill which is a thoroughbred training center located in a large park in MD. While we were driving down the road , I saw a couple walking 5 standard poodles ,one was white. I stopped to say hello and comment on how beautiful they were and I asked where they got them. Meanwhile, Rosie is looking out the window at them. The poodles were all rescues. When I got back to the barn, Rosie jumped out of the truck and went in the barn, hid in her crate in the kitchen and wouldn’t come out the rest of the day. She was sad for a week. I think the white poodle triggered something bc mine was white.
I immediately started searching rescues for a poodle. Who would have thought a rescue called Pretty Pitty rescue would have a poodle but a breeder got ill and turned over the litter. I felt like I was on a drug buy meeting transport on the NJ turnpike rest stop at something like 4:30 am
Rosie was so happy when she met Pepper who I renamed Tigger bc he bounced. She taught him the ropes. I often wonder what she thinks bc he was 3 months when we got him and about same size as she is then he kept growing and growing until he became a full grown standard poodle.
Anyhow, after we lost T, Rosie slept in her bed and with her blankets so she could smell her.
I hope you and your Rosie find comfort with each other and your memories and serendipity will happen for you both ❤️❤️❤️
Marilyn
So sorry to her that, prayers for you & Rosie
Rita
So very sorry
SuzK
Anne, I am so sorry to hear this. I totally understand how you are feeling. Both of my cats lived very long lives. They were my constant companions and my heart broke when I lost them. Your babies were well-loved and had wonderful lives because of you. My heart goes out to you and sweet Rosie.
Mary B
Ann, my heart aches for you and Rosie. My husband and I have an older cat. My husband was on hospice for a year and passed in October. His passing affected the cat greatly. Our vet had me purchase a product called Feliway. They are a plug-in diffuser that diffuses calming pheromones into the air. It helped our cat greatly. Feliway doesn’t make a diffuser for dogs, but maybe there is a similar product on the market that may help Rosie. I also think finding her a friend will help her too.
JEANNIE BOURG
My deepest sympathies. Pets are more than just an animal. They are our everything; children. we lost one in April. It is still heartbreaking and miss him terribly. Hugs and prayers are being sent your way.
Connie B
I feel your pain. They are part of our hearts and will always be there. Some people say “they are just animals” they are NOT, they are family members and are like our children. We lost our first cat at 15 1/2, our second at 16 1/2, we have the last ones sister, she is now 19 and just the thought of loosing her breaks my heart.
Irene
Oh Ann my heart breaks for you 💔 We love our furr babies so much and you gave Tinkerbell, Gracie and Chelsea a wonderful warm and loving home. Sending warm hugs 🐾❤️
Iris Johnson
Hi Ann,
My heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of your fur babies. They definitely become our dear, close family members. I lost my sidekick this Fall after being with me for 13 years, 9 months. The grief creeps up unexpectedly, but the memories are to be cherished. I have another dog who misses Blu, but I believe also enjoys being the center of my attention. Eventually, I am sure I will get another four-legged family member. Prayers to you and your family.
Heidi Gorthy
Oh Ann, I’m so sorry. These babies had a wonderful life with you and you made them so happy. I love Muttville and I know when you’re ready there will be another angel to fill your life. Sending love to all the family.
Dee
I’m so sorry. I lost my Calypso in September and I am lost also. I was her companion. Hugs to both of you.
Karen L aka Lace Faerie
I am always amazed at how deeply our furry companions embed them into our hearts! I am so sorry for the grief everyone is feeling.
Sharon Ernst
Oh , what an emotional read this was! I am so sorry for each loss you’ve had! Definitely consider a new sister for Rosie. Think how much joy she will bring to both of you for Christmas! Your little dogs have been pure joy to read about! ♥️
DeAnna Dodson
Oh, Anne, I’m so, so sorry! I know how precious all of them are to you. I always thought they looked so cute and wonderful to have. I feel bad for little Rosie, too. Please get her a companion and a new baby for yourself. It means so much for these little sweethearts in shelters to have a forever home. And I know whichever one you choose will have hit the doggie jackpot. Praying for you both for healing and comfort. I’m glad you have each other. Many, many hugs!
Karen S
Oh Anne! How very, very hard. I’m so sorry for each of your losses. I hope you can find a new companion for Rosie . . . and you! Hugs!
Judy B
So very sorry for the loss of your loved pets My heart goes out to you Give Rosie lots of hugs
Rebecca Stipe
I’m so sorry for your loss Anne. I’ve been there and it is hard. Poor Rosie they feel the loss of their companions too. I think maybe a new companion might help her. Sending hugs 🤗
Linda H.
I am so very sorry for all your losses. I jope that you can find a friend for Rosie and in time both your hearts are healed.
Marge
Not gone, just gone on ahead. With heartfelt sympathy.❤️
Sandi
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have lost 2 of my fur babies in the last 2 years. I have 2 still here and they have gotten closer. I’m thinking of you and Rosie. Hugs,
Kathy L
so very sorry for all your losses, i to lost my 19 year old min pin, and our oldest cat at 18, they are family and we will miss them so much,