hugapitbull said:

Not Rene's fault for the thread being hijacked.  ..... I decided I just MUST contribute because I know how she feels.

Not sure if hijacked is the proper way to describe our last few entries.  I feel that we are just trying to deal with the issues that have put so many into the "Bah Humbug" mood.  The holidays are never easy for they bring up such a diverse set of memories and experiences.  Without "The Girls", I would have comfortably lived in a cave without human contact - such was my experiences - such is one of those gifts from "The Girls" to which I constantly refer.

Lastly, and the real reason I replied: Emily's first trainer used to tell her that it is at least 2 to 1 to recover a dog - that is - it will take at least twice the time to undue the issues that developed prior to introducing a dog into a new environment.  As you would tell us, Rene - Hang In There.

Lots of love to all.

Bob & Cherry

As I was reading the stories, I was reminded of when we first got Stephen Colbert.  He was a horrible puppy.  He cried nonstop, would not go near the dumpster (so when we would take him out in the middle of the night, it was impossible to throw away the waste because he screamed if we started to go near the trash bin...I ended up just tossing the bag under my car until the morning and I would leave for school).  He peed in the house ALL THE TIME and wrecked everything that wasn't tied down.  We took him to puppy school, he was well socialized, we did what we were supposed to, he just didn't "get it".  I remember one day, after being so tired from waking up from Colby crying all night (for about 3 days straight, so I'd had like, 6 hours of sleep total), he peed on the carpet.  I took him outside and he peed.  I brought him back in and about 10 minutes later, he peed again inside.  While cleaning that up, he peed AGAIN!!!  I remember curling up on the kitchen floor, sobbing, mumbling that I couldn't take this anymore, that I can't live my life like this.  Needless to say, almost a year later, he is a well adjusted, potty trained individual.  There is hope!!!!!  

<3 Laura and Jack

I actually got a good chuckle reading these stories. I imagine so many different scenarios... all of which, in my mind, come out very funny and entertaining. Sounds like these "problem child" dogs are quite unforgettable. They'll certainly leave their paw prints on your hearts.

Now that Peanut is gone, I'm left with my Bubba. He is almost the complete opposite of Peanut. And I love him to pieces for being himself. I sometimes call him "Beelzebubba"... 'cause he can act like a little devil! I say that endearingly, since Bubba is really a great dog. But, boy, he does have his personality quirks. I feel that Bubba could quite possibly be a work in progress forever. But I am willing to put in the time, effort, patience, and care... and take it one day at a time. Who knows... maybe one day we just might be able to walk by a squirrel without me losing an arm.

I know this thread started as "bah humbug". But I don't feel that way now. Despite Peanut being gone, I feel such love for her, and happiness that I was hers for 6 years. And I am looking forward to continued life with Bubba.

So whether or not you're feeling bah humbug... I would still like to wish you all a very happy holiday season. I have hope for all the little devils out there.

-Melanie
Thank you, Peanut, for uplifting my heart instead of breaking it.

Zeus said:

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

I have felt sooooo crappy this holiday season and I've stayed away from the tripawd site because I didn't want to be negative and scare new comers away from amputation, but now I see after reading all of these posts that it's also about support when you (I) need it. I MISS MY BOY SOOOOO MUCH IT HURTS!!!! Wow - that felt good to get out.

I forced myself to decorate for Christmas the Saturday before because I still have Buddy and he loves christmas too - we almost didn't put up a tree because I just couldn't get in the spirit of it. I wanted to pull the covers over my head and fast forward to the 26th. BUT, I pulled out the decorations for the tree and put on music...I have SO many dog decorations and Zeus decorations...ugh - it was so hard. I had tears streaming down my face the entire time I decorated the tree. LOL - what a sight I must have been. ZEUS LOVED christmas!!!! And to top it off, we had that big 2 foot snow storm the weekend before Christmas which just made me even more sad because Zeus LOVED the snow...he would just tear through it even as a tripawd.

I have to say though, I felt him all around me Christmas Day, so it made it so much easier to get through....I teared up when Buddy opened all his presents (and he had a ton this year), but I could almost see Zeus laying right next to me as we opened our presents on Christmas morning and that gave me peace and a warm heart despite his physical absence. I know he was there which reinforces my beliief that we will all be together again....

3 holidays down (I count Halloween), 1 more to go....

We love you everyone ~

Heather and Spirit Zeus

Oh, Heather!  Such an honest and heartwarming post.  I can see myself feeling much like you when my time comes.  It will be hard to celebrate without my sweetheart, but I must make myself do those things becuase she would want me to celebrate life as she celebrates hers.  I'm glad you were able to force yourself to do the Chrismas thing and were rewarded with Zeus' presence.  You'll make that last holiday, me and Troub are pulling for you!

You know, I've been in full blown Bah humbug mode for over a month. I've enjoyed reading these stories though. I like that even when we are full of bah humbugness we can still come here and shout BAH HUMBUG across the world.

And then today I get on here and see these great pictures of a stuffed animal graveyard posted by Comet. Too funny!

Thanks for the solidarity in the bah humbugs and the great pictures.

mary