Jim and I are beginning to come out of our emotional fog today. It's been a terrible two days since we lost Tai. We are beginning to forget the death process and replace it with precious memories. God in His mercy, also heals us with His Presence and assures us that we will see her again soon.
I feel that we had a visit from her the evening after her death. Our little schnauzer, Riley, goes to bed around 11:00 p.m. each night. If Jim and I are still up, he will sometimes take himself to bed (on our bed). That particular night I had been sobbing and Riley had been VERY SAD for me. His ears were back and his body language showed his anguish. He stayed up with Jim and I until we went to bed between midnight and 1:00 a.m. After the three of us crawled into bed, Riley got an EXTREME burst of energy, which has NEVER happened in his 4 years of life. He was smiling as he rolled around on the bed, coming back and forth to Jim and me, enticing us to play. He jumped off the bed, ran around the house, back onto the bed, encouraging us to get up and come with him to play. We were exhausted, so we turned out the light hoping he would settle down. He jumped off the bed again and ran to the living room. Fifteen minutes later he came to bed, settling down in his familiar spot for the night. My feeling is that he had experienced her energy as she came back for a short visit with us. Last night Riley was back to his normal routine, going to bed at his favorite time and falling asleep peacefully.
Jim and I want to thank all of you sweet, sweet readers for the kind words of encouragement and the sacred stories and poems you shared about your own pets. Your love for them is tender and eternal.
I have always heard that you can tell the character of a person by the way they treat an animal. I am so honored to be associated with people like you-- people who love and care for those precious ones entrusted to our care.
***Thanks to our youngest daughter, Becka, for creating the picture of Tai with angel wings (see photo below). Becka is the real reason Tai came to be our girl, but that's another story.
God bless all of you.
21 comments:
So sorry to hear of your loss! L♥ve and Hugs!
Aw, Barbara, what a special thing you experienced with Riley. I have no doubt it's exactly what you feel it was.
HUGS.
Will you add another dog to your household? That is the discussion my husband and I are having. If (and when) something happens to our Daisy, will we try to start over again??
Shauna- Thank you for your words of comfort.
Janna- My only regret is that I didn't get out of bed and celebrate with Riley.
Pat- We have thought about adding another schnauzer to match Riley or a german sheperd (for protection). And then again it's complicated at our age to take them through all the training which would be needed for a puppy. We love animals, though, so it WILL be hard to turn one down. I'll keep you posted.
Getting over a pet is a process but then the good memories take over and we are glad we have them. I am so glad you are healing and have another dog to pour your love into still,
Terri- Thank you for your emotional support.
What a nice happening. So glad you had it. If/when the time is right for a newbie in the house, you'll know it. I did. :)
Angie- I know you are right. Perhaps getting another dog will happen and perhaps it won't. We'll keep our hearts open and see what happens.
Barbara - Animals do have a sixth sense, picking up on essences that we might not. What an interesting story about Riley, and how nice that Riley brings you comfort now.
Joanne- I believe they pick up on energy that we humans either don't sense or else dismiss.
I'm so sorry, Barbara. I am sure that Riley is feeling the loss in his own way as well.
Linda- Thank you. I am happy to say that Jim, Riley, and I are on our way to happier days.
Once again, my heart goes out to you on your loss!
Donna- Thank you so much for standing beside us at this difficult time.
That was a beautiful moment - I've heard of this happening - it happened to my neighbor, something like this - with her dog after his friend left them.
THey touch our lives, are a part of the family - it does get better, I can say that - the days pass and you won't feel the loss as acutely - but the missing still lingers...as I suppose it should, yes?
Kathryn- They become such a member of the family. We just never completely get over them.
Neat story about Riley. I'm sure that's what happened--pretty cool.
Linda R.- He's a very sensitive dog and loved Tai.
{{Warm hugs}} and so sorry this has happened. Even when my little fish, "Bluey" passed away, I was saddened.
Cherish your memories, my new dear friend.
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