awwww, thank you everyone. I loved reading all your stories. It appears that all our dogs at the Bridge have a well-developed sense of humor about what is needed in our lives, particularly in the line of new furbabies. The lessons always appear at the perfect right time, whether we think so or not. From what I've read around here, they're all laughing their individual and collective wiggly butts off at us.

And of course, Be More Dog comes in here somewhere too.  When I got Otis and then Tess, I never ever, not even once, sat there analyzing my bond with them.   I probably would have thought myself silly if I did.

I really should have seen the "Be More Dog " coming. It is exactly that. You're right I would have thought is silly to analyze my bond with Isa. That said, our bond was not instantaneous. She was my first dog (as an adult) and it took some time for us to figure the other out. Even more time (and obedience lessons, ostensibly for her but I was the one that got the education) for me to figure out what the hell I was doing.

and "Be More Dog " is not just being in the moment but trusting the moment is exactly right exactly as it is. I think it's a big club of humans that have trouble with that one.

Susanna, I love your and Leo's story. Thank you so much for all the wonderful detail. Your epiphany sounds remarkably similar to Alison's. Stop trying to force it and let them be them and you be you and that's what makes it work. (PICTURES! and now you have to post both puppy and grown Leo pictures!)

I think it also has to do with the fact that I was older and wiser and more jaded. I had just lost my heart dog. A dog I rescued and never once thought that she would ever leave me. 

Alison, are you sure we are not the same person? I have some doubts about the wiser but I have to fully claim the other two. I never thought Isa would leave me. I think on some level I managed to maintain that even after the piece-of-crap-disease diagnosis. My rationale is I'm a cancer survivor, my dad survived cancer. I can't say my mom survived cancer but that was not what directly killed her. So of course Isa would survive too. And in some ways she hasn't and won't but in others ... we all know the story.

Last summer, I'm certain it was after Isa's diagnosis, I was at an outdoor art fair here. One booth had a big ol' dog at it, don't remember what kind now, and of course I stopped to say hello. One must never pass a furball without greeting him/her. I said something or other, no idea what, and the pupster's dad said "you only get one love." I told him I didn't believe that, we get lots of loves in our life. I do believe that (I do, I do, I do). But it is a huge leap to open our hearts up again, once they've been ripped from our chests. And trust is not exactly my strong suit, never has been.

I've rambled on for possibly too long now. But I so appreciate everyone's input. It has helped. I knew long before this that a new someone that looked like Isa would be a Very Bad Idea. And I will confess to having had my eye on a particular "someone" for a while now, seems to have stood out from the crowd. Once I am convinced the bathroom will get done, I plan on meeting him. From there, we'll see what we shall see. Or, alternatively, we'll see what Isa has in mind. One day at a time, right?

Thanks again all. I love this place!

Hugs!