Hi everyone,

I've learned something big about myself thru Jersey Girl's passing, and that's that I disappear into the dark when I'm upset!  Lol.  A couple of close friends have told me that in the past but I never really believed it.  Now I know it's true because I've been MIA on this site for several days and I still haven't posted about JG on FB, and today marks a full week! S o many people were checking in to my FB page regularly to hear about her progress and cheer her on...and they still don't know she's gone!  Ay yi yi!!  Soon.  Maybe even tomorrow.  

Y'all have been so supportive, I have to thank you again for your empathy, support and words of wisdom.  I know many of you have been through the fur love life cycle a few times and I hang on your every word.  Thanks to you, I know I'll eventually accept this loss and find something positive to do with my memories.  I believe you completely.  Thank you for giving me a vision when I couldn't find one on my own.

Alison - 

Your kind words and compassion mean a lot to me, thank you!  Every time I read your posts I'm always struck by the depth of your bond with Shelby.  I know you love her like crazy.  You're right, it is SOOO hard to lose your fur love, much much harder than anything else I've ever been through.  In our last 6 years together, Gregg and I have lost 7 family members.  While death is not new to us, death of a fur love was shockingly so!  For days I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach.  After a week I'm happy to say that I can FINALLY think about Jersey without crying, at least not every time.  Smile.  The only wisdom I can share is to seize the moment and don't put off doing anything with Shelby.  I don't have many regrets but one is that Jersey Girl never got a ride in the wagon we got to carry her when she was too tired to walk.  We ordered it online and it arrived the Saturday before she died.  Gregg assembled it and we were going to take her out in it on Sunday night but my legs were killing me after hauling stuff around all day for our yard sale.  I said "tomorrow, definitely" but the next day Jersey was too sick to go.  Her health nose-dived in a day. How I wish I'd given her that ride on Sunday night, she would have LOVED to smell things around the neighborhood one more time.  I'd give anything for a redo.  

Carol -

I can't thank you enough for your words about Hitch.  Seriously, I think you were dead on and I'd completely missed it. After reading your post I made sure I was open to him and it's been amazing.  I think he needs me as much as I need him.  I've noticed that he's seeking me out / hanging out with me way more than he did before.  Tonight he even followed me into the bathroom, which Jersey did all the time but Hitch has never done.  Lol.  Probably to much info... 

Jerry - 

Oh my gosh, the depth of your compassion, sincerity and reliability blow me away.  You and Sally both.  BLOW ME AWAY!  What a vision you had to start this site, I've said it before.  It's been such an incredible resource and immense comfort to me and everyone else thrown into the black hole of cancer.  I hoped to be around longer and to share more together.  I still will, it just won't be the same without my little fighter.  

Marshallsmom - 

Thanks for making me feel normal.  That feeling of betraying your fur love is almost as bad as losing her.  I kept visualizing her watching me from heaven with a hurt look in her eyes whenever I played with or loved up another doggie. Ugh, that look!  

Kathi -

I'm so sad that Jersey Girl and Murphy didn't get to meet!  And for Murphy's sake I hope it stays that way for along time!!  I'll keep him in my prayers for health and longevity.  Thank you so much for making me feel normal about Hitch. He's a cutie and goofy, in a good way.  It's endlessly entertaining.  He's also a sweetheart and such a good boy, I feel guilty for not connecting with him that well.  But it helps to know you've experienced this too.  I've been making a big effort to improve this and it's helping a lot.  Thank you for your words of wisdom about Jersey Girl's spirt too.  I know you're right and I can't wait to feel her head resting on my leg, or back, or any place else she wants to put it.  I've been talking to her and I've started to feel her around but not as strongly as I'd like.  It won't be long, I know my sweet angle wouldn't abandon me.

Maximutt -

Thanks for being so sure that Jersey's spirit would always be with me!  As I said to Kathi, I keep talking to her and telling her how much I need to feel her presence.  It's taken several days but I'm starting to feel more confident she's around.  I'm sure her spirit will feel stronger over time.

Bonnie - 

Oh Bonnie, you know how much I hurt with you.  I'm sooo very very sorry that Polly has joined Jersey Girl.  I'm confident our fur angels are together though, along with the other past members of your pack.  Hang in there, I know it will get better for both of us.  

Amy - 

Thank you for your empathy, it's not fair you're right.  Why can't the mean dogs get cancer (I don't mean that, no doggies should suffer).  I'm sorry we're both in this stinkin' (yet awesome, ha) club!  You're right, Jersey Girl was a happy doggie and I am trying my best to focus on that.   We had such a great life together. Your Libby is beautiful and what a huge accomplishment that she celebrated her 1 year ampuversary!  Congratulations!! She's already beat the odds and I think that will continue, I really do.  Look how healthy and happy she is in the tennis ball olympics video you posted.  You can't tell me that dog looks sick, no not at all!  She'll be with you for awhile, enjoy her!

Joan - 

Thank you for sending love and for your ongoing support thru this whole ordeal.  But more importantly, CONGRATULATIONS to you and LILY on her 1 year ampuversary!  Yay!!  That is such a huge accomplishment. I am so happy for you both!  This is defying the odds which means good things for Lily.   Enjoy her every day.  Seize the opportunity, don't put off til tomorrow...

Michelle - 

Thank you too, for your empathy and compassion.  YOU are an angel to the Tripawd community!  You're right, cancer sucks.  This is my first experience with it as no one in my family has ever suffered from it (knock wood).  The speed, unpredictability and pain are mind blowing to me. It's truly horrific, something I hope I never EVER have to go through again.  Especially not with another fur love who can't talk and tell me how she feels!  

Elizabeth - 

You're right, she was loved beyond measure!  I'm sorry about your Angel Jake, he earned his wings pretty recently. I love your memorial to him though - "Cancer was just a speck amongst the masterpiece of your life".   I will steal that for Jersey Girl, thanks for the inspiration.

Linda - 

Your Tucker is so handsome!  Thank you for your support through this whole SHORT mess, it means a lot to me.   I am cuddling up to Hitch more and I think it's helping all of us, including him.  I'm fairly sure I want another yellow lab at some point but I'm not going to do it until Hitch and I have had more time to spend together and bond.  Maybe in a year. Love my labradors!

Christine - 

Oh my gosh, I don't even know what to say.  Your note was just chock full of sentiment and encouragement, thank you!  I DO think you're right about there being something special about Tripawds running for the bridge.  Some of the pictures / videos I love looking at most are of my sweet angel recuperating from surgery and learning to play on 3 legs. They bring me peace and happiness.  I think it's because making the decision to amputate her leg was hard and she looked upset when they took her away so, of course, we felt awful.  And we worried and worried.  Then she fought like a warrior, as you said, and eventually the shine came back in her eyes.  We loved her even more for overcoming such incredible hurdles and for not giving up.  My sweet angel, I just love her so.  I think you're right about her spirit too.  I am trying hard to open my heart and let her in.  I need her so I've got to do it!  Thank you, Christine, for your inspiration.  

Penny - 

Thank you so much for your support thru this whole ordeal!

Sally - 

Whaaat, you're out of the country?  OMD!  What wonderful but backwards place are you in?  Wherever it is, I wish you a wonderful stay and I hope to talk with you when you get back.  My friend, I just have to say THANK YOU in gigantic letters!  I am forever grateful to have met you and Happy Hannah.  You two are the very definition of love and support and I don't know what I would have done without you.  You were a calm when I was hysterical, reassuring when I was worried, a resource when I was confused, and ecstatic when I was merely happy.   I don't know where you find the words and the sentiments but you are truly gifted in that department and you made a huge difference in our lives. Again, thank you!  Now more importantly, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND HAPPY HANNAH on your 1 year ampuversary!  That is a huge accomplishment and such a wonderful, wonderful, fantabulous thing!  It must have something to do with mama's incredible care and positive spirit!  Miss Hannah is meant to be well for a long time, this bodes well for her future.  I am so very very happy for you both!

Paw love,

Claudia, Papa Bear (sort of here in between snores), Hitch and Angel Jersey Girl's strengthening spirit.