Like Sally said, with every angel transition, we relive our own losses and can so relate to what you're going through.

I love saying her name, Ruby. To me it embodies a pureness, a richness of love and devotion. It's no accident that Ruby represents the primary color red. Every time I don my ruby earrings I will think about Ruby.

Her love and soul was unique, rich and pure. She always had wings, it's just now she can actually use them, free from her painful prison. Now she joins all the other Gems flying at the Bridge. What a joyous and beautiful Rainbow with the added Ruby gem.

Much love and peace to you my friend. xoxo

Laina,

I have been thinking of you and Ruby all day today......I am so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss of her. Like Sally said, even though we expect this day to eventually come, it is still a huge kick in the gut shock that completely overwhelms us. We do know what you are feeling, with the terrible empty, helpless, heartache that consumes us. Take your time to grieve her, you will move to another new normal place in life when the time is right, and there is absolutely no limit in that time. We all grieve differently, but definitely whole-heartedly.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, the brunt of enormous pain will move along, and the sweet memories of Ruby will remain......we always keep that bit of heartbreak that we will have forever, but in time, that thick fog of grief will lift.

We are all here to help you through this heartbreak, and also know that your Ruby girl will always be remembered here, always.....Maybe one day in the future, Ruby will bring you a new fur love to bring you joy once again.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, and {{{hugs}}}
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew

I like so many others here understand the hurt in your heart.  The not knowing what to do with yourself because your precious fur baby is no longer at home to be taken care of.  We put so much of ourselves into taking care of our Tripawds that when they leave this earth we're lost and there is a great void in our life.  This is normal and a part of grieving a great love.  Just know that with time the tremendous hurt you feel now will lessen.  You'll never forget your sweet Ruby (who could forget that precious face) but your life will move forward.  And perhaps some day another sweet fur baby will find their way to your heart and home.

I know for a lot of us that have lost a precious fur baby we have found that our hearts are capable of loving another.  It's not that they are a replacement for the fur baby lost but they are able to fill in the quiet with the patter of feet and joyful barking.  They make us remember that our human heart is capable of loving another.  They bring smiles and laughter back into a sad home.  I know that's what my Lucian did for me after losing my boy Leland (even though I cuss some of his antics from time to time...)

Grief is a process that you will work through.  And like others have said we're here to lend you support and lift you up when you feel sad.

Hugs

Sahana and her Angel Leland

I am just getting caught up on things and, like others have said, I was expecting to hear that Ruby had gained her wings but that doesn't make it any easier to read. I am so sorry for your loss. I know you are pretty much in the hell realm of grief right now but it will get better with time. In the early days I found solace in making memorials for my girl. I decorated 7 day candles with her picture and roses (her named was Rosa). I bought a mexican tin nicho and painted it and put her photo in it, and roses. I hung three of her tags from the bottom. I created an altar with photos and candles, her leash and collar, a favorite toy or two. I started volunteering with a german shepherd rescue group in her honor. And, when I was ready I adopted a pup from my local shelter. 

You will find your own ways to honor Ruby, listen to what your heart tells you and it will become clear what you need to do.

Run free beautiful Ruby <3 <3 <3

Sending you peace and love,

Martha and the Oaktown Pack

p.s. this is my favorite poem about grieving the loss of a dog

Things to do after your dog has died

Sweep the floor

Look out the window

Pant

Make a cup of tea and some toast

But then not eat them

Change the sheets on the bed

Try to sing

Start to cry

Forget what day it is

Stumble into a corner of the floor and hold your knees tightly

Keen

Pull yourself together

Make another cup of tea and this time drink it

Look out a different window

Stare at that spot on the floor where your dog used to stretch out, languid and happy, his paws twitching as he raced across sleep meadows and into dream ravines filled with moss and ferns and the scent of foxes

Look for the Kleenex

Use toilet paper instead

Wander around the house, your heart like a damned anvil in your chest

Heat up leftovers

Push them around the plate before leaving the entire thing in the sink

Look for what is not there

Hear things

Feel the forgotten fur beneath your fingertips

Feel the forgetting begin

Hold a memory, any memory, bright and shining, soft and sad, smelling of wet fur and leaves, with a whisker there and muddy paw prints left on the stairs, of a walk of a hike of a trip to the park with a treat and a bone and a belly rub snacks stolen off the counter and tug of war and the squeaky toy a glance of complicity in play with your hand on head with tail wagging and breath misting in the morning light or the moon over the trees while an owl croons ears are pricked and nose to the ground sniffing, sniffing, sniffing following the invisible trail to its joyful finding

Put on your pajamas

Turn around three times before you curl up by the rope toy and find yourself chasing the echo of a bark into a night that will never end

Grow a tail

Catherine Young 11.27.12