I swear, I think that the furkids left behind channel the spirits of the ones who have crossed over.  I've had my 2 year old golden mix start doing some really bizarre behavior that was unique to my old golden, Freeman, who crossed over 3 years ago…..hmmmmm.

Regardless, I've always felt that the *firsts* were the worst.  First day, month, year….first time you go somewhere without their physical presence.  We never get over it, do we?  We just learn to smile again, and we try our best to celebrate the days they lived rather than fixate on the day they died. 

I lost my beloved little golden girl Frankie in July……it's getting a bit easier to smile thinking about her, but that big lump in my throat is always there.

May Kona have endless days of romping at the Bridge until you're together again………………

It has been only 5 months for us and I still wait for Sierra to come tearing through the dog door some nights.  We miss her terribly but are thankful we still have the old man Kenner around.  Glad to hear the rest of your pack is doing so well.  I find it incredible that they seem to know how to behave and bring us joy when we might be missing our lost ones.  They are truly an inspiration.

 Brad and Spirit Sierra

Thank you all!

Yes, Kami, our dates are so close. Sometimes I feel like it just happened and other times, well, you know, it seems longer since at least with Kona, so much of the 7 months of fighting were a struggle. So, in that sense, she's been gone longer.

And Brad, yeah, only 5 mos. lost for you guys…so much fresher/raw. I know so so much what you mean too about if your pup Sierra came running in, it would seem so right, so natural.

Ok, I admit it, sometimes when I'm in our fenced backyard, waiting for our two pups to do their business, I look all around, half expecting to get a glimpse of Kona. Alright, and even sometimes, I call out to her to 'Check it out!" . She really patrolled her yard (big, rural yard, bordered by woods and wildlife) checking for 'squeazels' (the general name we gave wildlife…hahahaa).

In the first couple months after her passing, a couple times I distinctly heard her collar do these real defitinite jingles (her collar sits atop her ashes container in the livingroom). Ok, it wasn't just me that heard this either, Chris finally heard it one night.

Made us feel really good that even though we knew that Kona was too busy running all around, exploring, patrolling her new dimension, she stopped by to let us know that she was checking in too.

Karen, yes, I know that feeling. It's like Maggie has been whispering tips/tricks/techniques that she did to Tani….I know just what you mean. I swear more and more since Kona's 1yr passing anniversary, Cotton has been doing more and more things that Kona did…JUST like KONA did !!!  Even getting the defiant look when it's not such a good thing….he just looks at us like, "Whaaat???"

Too funny and yes, comforting.

Thank you all!

And, thank you all for joining in celebrating both Bella's and Wyatt's birthdays !!!

Denise