Yet More Sadness

Yes… he knew how much you loved him. I’m so sorry, dear. I’m so very sorry. (hugs)

So sorry. xoxo My Buddy (lab) has been very ill. The vet removed his spleen, but he’s not eating very well. He won’t eat any kind of dog food, canned or otherwise. He’s eating hot dogs and some other people food..but it’s tough.

Thanks for your sweet note. Buddy will only eat some human food. I was fixing him oatmeal in the morning. He ate it enthusiastically for about 4 days, then he ate it, but went back & forth. He eats hot dogs pretty good. I first cooked turkey (seasoned with garlic) & rice. He hogged it down, then got less enthusiastic about it. He gobbles most anything he sees ME eating (e.g.left over ham/mayo sandwich on bread, meatloaf sandwich, cake, etc.) 🙂 I have been cooking a cheap hamburger (seasoned with garlic)/rice. Vet says they need the fat in the hamburger (cheaper, too). I don’t like lean hamburger myself. He’s loving it. Yesterday I saved the fat juice from the hamburger–then I added about 1-1/3 cup of dry dog food with the hamburger & rice and he ate it all. I’m thinking that may be a way to get his dry food in him PLUS more. OH..I gave him Vanilla Yogurt and he loves it. Someone suggest Activia–saying maybe it’ll fix his..whatever it is that it fixes. I just had the yogurt on hand and it should do the same thing. I will buy Activia when I go to the store. Funny..he loves it. I’m thinking that if I can get the recommended amount of dry food down him a day-

then that will get his weight back up. He turns his nose up most of the time at canned dog food. I can get him to take a few bites sometimes. I only put about 1/3 or 1/2 can of it in a bowl. I think he eats it only to please me because I’m nagging him to eat it & praising him at each bite. But he’s seeming to love the hamburger/rice thing & I hear dogs love garlic and it’s probably good for them too. He even trots at times outside or on his way inside up the steps. He still has a hard time getting up & down. He can do it..slowly. You can tell it’s hard on him. I was giving him 1 325mg aspirin a day, but stopped it a while before he got sick. I told the Vet & she didn’t think it had anything to do with his illness. But I hear to give them a break every so often with the aspirin for their stomach. I’m scared to give it to him now. About your diary name…that is a hard one. It’s bad that you are still grieving so hard. I’m not sure how much it will help if you change your name etc. for your diary. I’m thinking maybe KEEP a picture up of Duke, but don’t have it ALL Duke. I think the name still might be a GOOD thing because in time it will bring you more comfort than this searing hu

I have several pets from my past that I had awesome relationships with and NOW their names & pictures bring me comfort & I feel happiness knowing we’ll be joined in eternity. Please try to remember that. Earthly Death comes to ALL of us–there’s no stopping it. But focus on his HAPPY SPIRIT & very important – YOUR JOINING HIM IN ETERNITY. It will happen. That is what it is ALL about. Like the DogWhisperer says-“Dog lives in the NOW.” YOU need to do that, too. Focus on what you have now and look forward to tomorrow & eternity. YOU have been through so much in the past few years: loss of Duke AND your love. You just need time to get through this. You may want to think of counseling if you feel comfortable UNLESS you have some close friend IN PERSON that gives you good company and maybe advice. YOu may not need lots and lots of advice (like I’m doing)–but I’m trying to respond to your question–and I’m making it long arne’t I? I’m drying to explain why I think that a new diary & name would not make that big a difference. I think in time you’ll find comfort in using his name.How appropriate. “FOREVER LOVED” — THAT will always be true so why run away from that? I would just

make it with LESS pictures–but KEEP PICTURES of him up. My written journals usually are about things that are bothering me..I do it for release. That may be what you do here, too. It may help to write about some other things for a while…just to get on another rhythm. Just suggestions–what works for one person does not always work for another. I used to look at my picture album & when I’d seemy poodle, I’d just sit and bawl and bawl and I never thought I’d quit. I hope you can look at your dog now and see how she needs you. I know Duke was special, but your dog now is just loving you & being patient with you…and she knows your heart is else where. Maybe you will look at her one day & think of how much she needs you…and it will help to refocus your love right now. But you have been through so much, this is taking longer for you. Healing happens. I know everyone says “time heals” but that is so true. Also, instead of thinking about all you’ve lost (I know that is hard becaus it’s right there in your face)–write down ALL that you still have. FOCUS on THAT. You just have to find that TRICK to get you going in another direction. Sometimes something so simple and silly will

turn it all around. I haven’t prayed for you like I should. I will pray for your healing. You’ll always hurt over Duke & your love—but you should be able to get to a point where “life goes on.” We just need to get you there in more of an advanced stage. I guess you just asked about a new diary & a new name. I wanted to give my background thoughts..but I think his name is still good. Duke was special, and whether he’s living or passed on…he’s still special. In time his name shouldn’t be such a show-stopper for you..it should bring a smile and fond memories. But I do think less picutres of him would be better. Maybe have a few pictures on you opening/description page. Remove the background. I think that will help a bunch. But as far as the name for your OD…I think it’s fine. When it comes time for renewel, if you want to start a new OD then, you can. You might not want to and that would be fine. BUT..I think on OD you have to start a new diary in order to have a new name. You can’t change your name on an existing diary–even at renewel–at least it used to be that way. TAKE CARE. Thanks for your notes & questions about Buddy.