Yes, you read that correctly. The Rainbow Bridge now has a DOUBLESTUFF ‘Oreo’.
Kingston (big white guy) joined Harmony (black girl) and Melody (black girl) on Saturday. When we first got Kingston and he was standing between the girls I told the hub-a-dub it was like looking at a Doublestuff Oreo. LOL!
Doublestuff (AKA Kingston) had a good life. At 12 years old and sporting a 90-lb body, we think he did well. He was definitely a big ‘ole pile of goofy fur. We always joked it was a good thing he was purdy ‘cause he didn’t have a lick of sense.
Still, we will miss him profoundly. I don’t think folks think about what an empty-nest is like when it starts to void of your fur-kids. It’s not like they’re getting married or going to college.
We are adjusting.
We’ve also made the hard decision to not adopt any more because of our own health/age circumstances. That difficult decision was made after our scare during the first of the year when we nearly lost the hub-a-dub. It certainly wasn’t fair to the puppers to be in the house as long as 12 hours a day while I ran back and forth to ICU daily for 2 weeks. And, doG forbid, I can’t even imagine what would happen to them if something happened to either of us. We have no children or family they can go live with. And we can’t bear the thought of any of them ending up homeless in a shelter.
We still have Meesha and Mariah who keep our hearts in check, thank goodness ’cause this year has been a real heart-jerker.
Love to you all !!
xoxoxo
Oh Kingston! I know you are reunited with your sissies now and that’s gotta be so fun. Still, everyone who knew you here on earth still misses you, and always will be thinking of you. Long live your spirit my furiend.
Pam that is too much grief in one short time, I’m so sorry you are going through this again.
I totally get what you mean about deciding not to bring in new animals. You get to a certain point in your life where that is just the reality, and I seriously commend you for taking that courageous step to make that decision. Lots of seniors don’t have that courage to admit when it’s time, and their poor fur kids end up without a home. I see it all the time with the rescue I volunteer for. So thank you for your decision. But (you probably knew this was coming!) what about fostering? You have soooo much experience with animals, and right now there is a terrible shelter overcrowding issue around the country (and consequently euthanasia of perfectly healthy animals). All rescues are desperate for good foster parents like you. The best part is the rescue pays for everything and you just get to do all the fun stuff! Just something to think about if and when you guys are ready.
You are always so very kind. Truth is, I don’t know if we have the will-power to be fur-less. We are the epitome of foster-fails so that’s completely not an option. It’ll have to be cold turkey for us. However, we are entertaining the idea of sponsoring to help keep these babies out of the shelters.
Right now our Meesha is also starting to decline. We don’t know how much time she has left. She’s such a happy girl.
Any-hoo, xoxoxo
Dont k ow how I missed this back when uou posted it in August.
I did cat h up because of your post on “Citcle” and know the heartbreak has continued.
I’m in the same boat as far as trying to process not being able to have another dog in my life. Even though my mind tells me that may be best, my heart tells me there’s no way I want to exist without a dog.
Right now my bullmastiff Merry Myrtle is dealing with that damn cancer. Plus an enlarge heart. So just trying to make every day the best I can with her.
I thought in terms of possibly fostering and know that I will be a foster fail. I’ve also thought about senior dogs, or a dog who just has a short-term to live for whatever reason. Right now I haven’t been able to wrap my head in my heart around facing all of the grief those situations would entail. I know it’s selfish on my part to not offer a loving home to a dog that doesn’t have much time. Hopefully I can reconcile that and give them that gift. Also I’m working very hard on figuring out a way to make sure that if… okay when….. I get another dog that they will have a loving home when my earth time is over. I’m 78 years old so who knows. And who know how long I’ll be movile, or able to drive, etc…
I’m even getting teary-eyed writing this because I just know that I cannot live in that type of void and silence that a home without a dog would be.
Anyway, I also wanted to add that I’m so glad the hubba dub got past the Health crisis that he faced. I know you were an incredible strong and positive support for him.
Sending you lots of love and so much gratitude that Harmony sent you to us.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Oh Sally, I teared up reading your comment and I know exactly where you’re coming from. We still have Mariah and she just celebrated her 8th b’day. But we know she will have to be the last in our house. Now I say that knowing we’re terrible about these lost fur-souls.
My mother, at 87, just had bypass surgery and life has definitely gotten in the way lately. It was nearly impossible to take care of all the fur-babies and the hub-a-dub while also caring for my mother. Reality has a way of slapping common sense into us. You would think my thighs would be thinner, but nope! Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Any-hoo, the point is, realizing our limitations sometimes comes from outside sources. For you to be realistic about your (and your fur-babies) future is very admirable. But I have to remind you the work (love-work) you do here on Tripawds is absolutely irreplaceable. You are ‘mommy’ to many, many furless and furry souls here. Your contributions won’t stop simply because you don’t have a fur-baby under your roof.
I once told a friend of mine who was a high school teacher, that not having kids doesn’t mean he didn’t “Be fruitful and multiply.” At his funeral there were hundreds of past and present students whose lives were touched by him, including myself. We should all be so lucky.
That is your legacy Sally. The hearts you have saved through Tripawds have earned you a special star in your crown at the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you. xoxoxo