30 days but sad....

[Lily]

Yesterday marked my 30 days! I was very happy at how quickly it came upon me and how much better I was feeling......until last night....when I got home from church I didn't see my dog who usually is there to greet me. So I went looking for her and found her in the shed, but barely breathing. I got help carrying her in the house where she died last night.

I have been so down today..... I know that it was just a dog and not a person, but I really loved her a lot. I was never a dog person at all, but when I married my husband he had her and I really fell in love with Tinkerbelle.

Anyway, that is my story.

Sad, but clean in Wisconsin....

Sheila <><

[cmc]

{{{Sheila}}}
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Tinkerbelle's passing. I pray for God's gentle hand of comfort to be upon you during this time of grief.

cmc

[toad]

Sorry to hear about your dog. Our pets become close to us with unconditional love. I know how you feel.........I pray that you will be comforted.

Congratulations on your 30 days........keep on keepin on

[ANGELINA243]

Originally Posted by Sheila77

I know that it was just a dog and not a person, but I really loved her a lot.

I'm sorry to hear about Tinkerbelle. I know she will be dearly missed.My furry friends are considered members of my family--I don't see them as "pets". I can sympathize with your sense of loss/grief during this time>not to mention, having just made it past 30 days--which by the way is awesome.

Continue to press forward with your recovery, but also make time to grieve your recent loss. God bless.

[barb dwyer]

Shelia -

I recently lost my love - my kitten 'Beloved'.

I've always been a heavy duty animal person ... but never knew just how vital animals are to recovery as I have learned from Beloved.

I prayed and prayed when she died (right before Thanksgiving) and something came to me that I will share with you ...

first I have to remind you that I wasn't raised withint any religion.
MOST ... of my Spiritual experiences .. are from a rich and deeply spiritual life that I've led.
And even thought I post here - I'm still ... not religious.

ok - that outa the way -

I was taught that animals were gifted to us by the Infinite. To help us, to feed us to keep us company ... because in the beginning of all things - the Creator did not speak to us in a direct way... so He sent the Animals and the Plant nations to teach us and guide us in this new world of form; and it is from them, from the stars, and from the livingness within all things that humans must learn...

anyhow -

I think Beloved was gifted to me to relieve me of the soul-crushing sadness I've lived beneath for all these years. The depression and disappointment in life and in love that made me pick up drinking at last and the ripe old age of 43...
She buffered that pain, but also helped open a part of my heart that had long been nailed shut; closed off and buried way back when I was a kid.
When that part of my heart had been opened again -
her job with me was finished.
And she returned ... home.

Gifts that are that Divine in Nature ... must be returned.
They cannot be 'kept'.

I also had the thought ' it's just a cat' ...
just like you wrote ....
but I was wrong.

They are never 'just a pet'.

A Power Greater than All of Us Combined ...
gifted your pet to you.

ANd your pet ... stayed with you ...
helped you get your thirty days ...
get your land legs, as it were.
ANd when it was certain thay you were going to be all right -

... your pet, like my Beloved ...

could return home.

I hope that makes sense.
you're in my prayers.

thank you for sharing that with me.

[barb dwyer]

I mean no disrespect putting this here - I know it's probsably not appropriate for Christianity ... my apologies

[cmc]

In Genesis as each part of creation came to be, God said "It is good" and He delights in what He has given to us. He also made it very clear that people were entrusted to care for and have dominion (or rule) over all of creation, including the animal kingdom.

I thank God for all my pets and I believe He used them to bring all the qualities mentioned earlier into our lives. It's never easy to say goodbye to such a good friend.

barb...no disrespect taken here....
I'm glad God blessed you with such a wonderful pet.

Thanks to God for both Tinkerbelle, Beloved, and for all our pet friends here and gone from us.

[mike_mass]

I am so sorry for your loss. I would be heart-broken if something happened to my little terrier. My prayers are with you.

[Barbara52]

You have my prayers. Losing a pet is always difficult. And no its not disrespectful to put this here at all. Your pet is one of God's creatures. And you are certainly one of God's children and in pain. He will be with you in your grief.

[best]

Originally Posted by barb dwyer

I mean no disrespect putting this here - I know it's probsably not appropriate for Christianity ... my apologies

No problems seen here.

[best]

Shelia

We lost our dog a couple months ago. I would say the same...it is just a dog but my wife pointed out just the other day how she had noticed my behavior for the week after we lost the dog had changed. It is ok to grieve for our pets. We do miss them. Let your feelings flow in a natural way that works for you and when your grieving is done, you will feel the joy of the happy memories that he brought into your life.

30 days... a lost pet.... and still clean and sober.

You are doing well and with daily prayers as we deal with life...one day at a time... all of us can and do continue on our path of recovery and growth.

Prayers are with you.

[dave47]

Sorry for your loss Sheila,very sad to lose a pet. I will say a prayer for you all,God bless.

[Lily]

Thanks for all of your wonderful responses. Today I finally think I am turning a corner. The weird thing is yesterday I thought I heard her bark (just one bark) 2 times, then realized it was some other noise. See we live on an full operating dairy farm and every time that someone comes in our yard, whether it be a feed truck, the milk truck for pick up, etc, she would let me know....so it is different.

Anyway. Tinkerbelle belonged to my husbands late wife and she was really a great friend and companion to me. (my husband no longer milks cows and we rent out our barn and land to a local farmer up the street who comes and milks twice a day) Any, Ken my husband works from 3-11, so I always liked having her around with me and my 4 year old cuz we always knew when someone was around..... but I am a big girl, and noone really bothers us out here. I was born and raised in SD CA and had to lock my dead bolt all of the time there in the city. haha

Anywho.....today I am feeling much better & was looking forward to church today, however we are snowed in, so in a little while we are going to sing a couple songs and Ken is going to read a little of the word.

he told me when it warms up some, come spring, we could look into a new dog...one we all 4 agree upon. (I have my 19 year old home from college.)

Does anyone know a good dog for around kids? (the guy that milks his cows here has 5 boys & some of them come over too) oh and then my 4 year old. Not a super giant dog that barks all the time too.

tinkerbelle was 1/2 chow 1/2 shepard.

Well, thanks for letting me ramble......Today is 35 days for me, I am sooooo stoked. I feel better everyday! Nothing like having a clean and sober Christmas! I can truly focus on the real reason and not be suffering from guilt, self absorbtion, depression, etc....

awwww there is nothing like waking up feeling refreshed.....Today I feel very blessed!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Blessings! <3 Sheila <><

[Lily]

Did I ever tell you guys we got a new puppy last month? He is a sweetie! He is an English Shepherd and is 2 1/2 months old now. We named him Titus.

I have over 7 months clean now! YAY!

blessings, Sheila

[cmc]

Welcome to Titus!

Congrats, Sheila for your 7 months!!

[IO Storm]

Welcome Titus!

And congrats Sheila!