Pomeranian Grieving Loss of Owner

Do dogs grieve? It has been a while since a new post has been added to this blog. In that time my dear husband passed away, making the simplest of things hard to do. So this blog and other things have been neglected, it is taking time to heal.

But the loss has not just affected me, from the pictures that I share, you will see that Happy, our/my Pomeranian, has also felt the loss of Paul. We were a "pack" of 3, and now it is just Happy and I. I can't tell you how thankful I am to have her during this difficult time, she is a great companion, but she has had to work through things in her own way, the way a dog does. 

I can't get into her mind, but I can observe her body language.

Look at the following picture, this was taken on a quiet day after all the busyness that follows losing a family member had settled.  One of those long alone days that are filled with longing as we learn to adjust.

Each and every day when it was time for Paul to come home from work, Happy would be waiting for close to an hour for his arrival on the back of his favorite chair. This day, within a week of his passing, and in the days that followed, I had to tell her "No, Happy, no more Daddy". Then I would call her over and hold her for a while. It took weeks for her to stop waiting, but she still sleeps close to the door. I don't know whether that is a new habit, or whether she is still hopeful.

Facial expressions like the ones that you see in the other two pictures, were never seen on Happy before Paul died. We were generally a happy and complete family, there was a rhythm to our days. Happy entertained us each evening after dinner with her antics. Now everything was different. I cried frequently, she would come comfort me. I am sure that not only was she missing Paul herself, but she was feeling my pain, as dogs are very sensitive to our moods and emotions. 

But these pictures were both taken some time after Paul died, while she was waiting on the back of the chair for him to come home. Seeing this was so painful for me, adding to my grief. But we both had to work through this and come out on the other side. Taking her for walks, distracting her with things she liked, all helped in time, and probably helped me in the process. 

It is over a year now since Paul died, it feels fresh in many ways, there are still tears, but we are doing okay. Happy doesn't sit waiting for Paul anymore, but does get excited when other family members come to visit. She enjoys the company, and I know she feels my happier mood when there is company as well.

So do dogs grieve? Yes, in their own way, I am sure they do. Plus they are very in touch with what we are feeling, so sometimes, it is hard to know whether the grieving is their own feeling of loss or whether they are sensing the feelings we are projecting. I think it is a bit of both. What do you think?

Just Added a New Yorkie Clip Art Page

I do more than just posts on this blog. You will also find individual web pages written by me if you look in the right margin for "Pages".

The most recent addition is a page on Yorkshire Terrier clip art, as well as free photos and pages to color.

There are quite a few helpful pages available.

Updated 2/27/17

Finding Pet Friendly Beach Vacation RV or Rental Specials

We love the beach and just returned from a long weekend close to the Jersey shore (see picture taken by my hubby). 
We traveled with our Pomeranian, Happy. She is a good traveler and quiet when she should be so we aren't concerned about her disturbing other guests in rentals or hotels. 

We travel with an RV, and find that most RV parks that allow pets require that you:

• Have written proof that Rabies vaccinations are up to date 
• That your dog not bark and be kept on leash
• That you clean up after your dog
• That the dog cannot be left in the RV when you are out and about (some allow this, but most don't....you may find places that offer pet sitting at a reasonable price.)   

When it comes to pet friendly lodging, the biggest concern that many have in my opinion is cleanliness. We recently stayed at a moderately priced hotel and found a few black dog hairs embedded in the underside of the bed spread...this was disgusting to us even though we are dog owners and live in a home that has pet hair here and their from our own dog. So you will want to read reviews when you visit sites or read advertisements about pet friendly hotels and motels.

You can visit this link which provides GOOGLE search results for pet friend hotels to get you started. One thing that we have found is that many people like to travel with their pets, and if you do find a place that you enjoy, you will meet many friendly pet owners and pets along the way. 

We were apprehensive when we took our first trip with the dog in the RV, not knowing what to expect. Granted we can't run into the fine restaurants for meals, and have to adjust to having the dog. We found outdoor eateries that allowed your dog to sleep underfoot, and opted to eat many of our meals at the RV which in many ways was more relaxing than having to figure out where to eat next.

If you have any favorite pet friendly travel destinations that you have found to be to your liking, please let us know in a comment.

Updated 6/26/19

Worms and Worming Your Dog

Worms, ick, I can't imagine any dog having to deal with worms. We got Aspen as a puppy and made sure to keep close watch on what she ate. When we got Happy this year, she was between 2 and 3 years old, so we had to update her shots and leave a stool specimen to be checked for worms. Thankfully, there were none. In spite of our good fortune, we have an article about worms and worm remedies on this blog that was just updated today. Look at the list of pages to the right, and you'll find it, or click the link in the following paragraph.

I think the reason we don't have worms is that we never let our dogs run and we always know what they are eating. If you are having trouble with worms, click right here to go to our article.

Updated 2/17/17

Pomeranian Rescue Brings Happiness After Loss

It is almost two years since we said goodbye to Aspen, the inspiration for this blog. It took me until a few months ago to feel ready to look for a new furbaby to rescue.

During the past 9 months, things have been difficult. I have not been blogging much, but focusing what energy I have on my brother who passed away 2 weeks ago today. My brother, John, had been disabled due to an illness since he was 6 months old, and then he developed a brain tumor on top of this. Due to his disabilities, he was unable to talk, and we could not converse with him about his ailment. We made many difficult decisions for him, and through it all, as long as he was able, he smiled and loved us back as we lavished him with love knowing our days with him were numbered. I shared what I wrote for his funeral in a post that is no longer published on the web, so I share it here: 

Monday my precious brother left this life for his home in Heaven. His difficult journey is finally over.

We had his funeral on Wednesday, it was a simple but sweet graveside funeral as my Mom is 86 and frail and something long and drawn out would have been hard for her. There was singing, and each of us shared, and I'd like to share with you what I shared, written as a letter to my brother, who lived his whole life mentally and physically disabled, but almost always with a smile.

Precious brother,

I am so thankful for the good memories that we have had together that I will treasure until we meet again in Heaven.

I am thankful that my husband was able to be there to be part of these memories with us. He loved you so much.

I remember going to holiday events with you where you worked years ago.

I remember making picnic lunches and taking you out for your birthday a few times to enjoy the outdoors.

I remember taking you on camping weekends to a wonderful place in Pennsylvania, your laugh and what fun we had in the car going to and from.

I remember how God opened many doors so that you could live at a wonderful group home.... You were loved and appreciated for your happy personality, a light to all around you. It was so much fun to attend events with you there.

I remember your courage during these last 9 months of your life spent in the hospital and care center…your ready smile, coloring and doing things with you when you were able; and then holding your hand, massaging your shoulders, praying with you, and stroking your arms with my heart full of love when you were unable.

Now all of that is part of the past, and right now I picture you seeing Jesus, running and walking tall, talking clearly for the first time, and look forward to our first real conversation some day soon in Heaven.
Until then, dear brother, I love you, and will miss you so much.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15

But back to the subject at hand...in May, after much searching, and little time to do so, I asked God if He could once again bring a dog our way, and He did just that. A neighbor's daughter knew the previous owner of the dog we have adopted, and she was destined to be abandoned at a park. 

I saw my neighbor and her daughter walking down the street with the dog as we were getting the car packed to leave on a short vacation...it was love at first sight, so I told her if she still had the dog when we got home, I'd take her. I was sure that a home would be found quickly, and she would be gone when we got home, but she wasn't, and within a couple hours of getting home, we had ourselves a sweet but timid female Pomeranian.

My grown children were visiting for Mother's Day, and my son said I should name her Happy, because she looks like she is smiling, and makes me so happy...so I did.

Happy has come a long way and is not shy at all anymore with my husband and I, and is a very gentle and loving approximately 3 year old 11 lb. Pomeranian. I am in love with a fur-baby once again!

Updated 2/27/17