behle

Welcome back! I have been to Florida several times, but SADLY, never to DW!! Life is not fair! :-?

I think it's just fantastic that Duke is part of your family now! Soon he will be spoiled and healthy and sassy! Looking forward to seeing pictures! :D :D

She's a cutie! Very well named!

Good luck Rufus! Get well soon... :D It's no fun to be sick. :(

Poor baby! Glad Colby will be okay..... :D Poor wallet, that hurts! :help1: You are a good dog mom!! :Rose:

[size=6][color=blue]It's absolutely fantastic that Devin was found and is home! [/color][/size] I was so worried about him and am so relieved that it all turned out okay! :D :D

[color=red][size=7]Happy Birthday, BK! (You handsome devil! :wink: )[/size][/color] :tort: :BIG: :smilecolros: :multi: :smilecolros: :BIG: :tort:

Your poems are beautiful....they really touched my heart, Ickle. :(

:( So sorry you have lost your life-long friend, Bo's Dad and Mary's Mamma. Bo is now an angel watching over you from the Bridge; free from pain; running and playing again. May your hearts be blessed with the memories of all the wonderful times together until you see your sweet Bo again.

Ben and I say thanks for the hug! :puppydogeyes: [img]http://brenda.myphotos.cc/softben.jpg[/img]

That looks like so much fun!!! I wish Ben liked the water, but he is a big chicken. My husbands old dog used to go with us to a county park and wade around in the cold rocky stream. That was fun.... Jake is a cutie! :D

Thanks, every one of you! :angel: Marion, he really does go around from time to time sniffing great lungfuls of smells off the carpeted spots where Max lay habitually. This morning he had a bit of leftover steak from last night's dinner. I was bad...I fed it to him off a paper plate in the living room... :oops: We have a bad habit of eating meals in the living room, especially breakfast, so that is where the special treats from our plates are passed out. Max was always the first to get his bite, then Ben, then Max, then Ben, and so forth. He sniffed it (normally would wolf it down in a second), looked around the room for Max, and then lay down with his nose about 6 inches from the plate and put on his sad face. :roll: So I got down there and scooted the plate right up to his nose and told him to go ahead and eat. He finally realized it was okay and ate. In his own doggie way, he is missing his "brother". I too miss Max. Today we are pouring footings for the deck we are building on the front of our house. I took his favorite squeaky ball, slit it, collapsed it, and it will become part of our deck that poor Max will never get to sit on with us..... :( My husband and I had a conversation about another dog in which I told him that he would have to decide when the time was right for another dog to come and live with Ben and us. I can't do this, so my husband agreed he would. Sorry your neighbor was so insensitive about Jasmine's passing. I just don't think many people understand how deep the relationship goes between us and our furkids... :(

Such beautiful little faces!

I am thinking of Devin, you, and Devin's new owner. What a horrible thing to have happened. :o :( Hopefully someone picked him up and will return him! Sending all my positive thoughts your way!!!

CONGRATULATIONS on your sweet new puppy! I see she is already "head and shoulders above her pack"!! She is adorable! Oh...the days and weeks WILL crawl by.. :-?

It will be hard, but in the midst of your sorrow remember that all of us are with you in spirit on Monday and in the days to follow.. Treasure the next two days with sweet Bo....

I wish I would have seen the episode...maybe I'll catch it on the rerun!

Starfox and JackieMaya - Thanks so much for caring about Max and his family! You are :angel: :angel: !

Poor Ebony and the thousands and thousands of dogs like her that have no one to care for them - whose lives are short and cruel because of willful ignorance.....! :cry: :evil:

Bo is lovely! Here is a poem I found that may speak to your husband. I have just had to make the same painful decision for my sweet rottie although he was only my companion for five and a half years... :( From a Grateful Dog You're giving me a special gift, So sorrowfully endowed, And through these last few cherished days, Your courage makes me proud. But really, love is knowing When your best friend is in pain, And understanding earthly acts Will only be in vain. So looking deep into your eyes, Beyond, into your soul, I see in you the magic that will Once more make me whole. The strength that you possess, Is why I look to you today, To do this thing that must be done, For it's the only way. That strength is why I've followed you, And chose you as my friend, And why I've loved you all these years... My partner till the end. Please, understand just what this gift You're giving, means to me, It gives me back the strength I've lost, And all my dignity. You take a stand on my behalf, For that is what friends do. And know that what you do is right, For I believe it, too. So one last time, I breathe your scent, And through your hand I feel, The courage that's within you, To grant me this appeal. Cut the leash that holds me here, Dear friend, and let me run, Once more a strong and steady dog, My pain and struggle done. And don't despair my passing, For I won't be far away, Forever here, within your heart, And memory I'll stay. I'll be there watching over you, Your ever-faithful friend, And in your memories I'll run, ... a young dog once again. Please know that you and your family are in our hearts and minds as you go through this difficult time.

Your dogs are beautiful!! :iloveyou: I especially love Titus...What a handsome fellow!

Me too!

That makes perfect sense, K. Thanks for giving me a real good reason to [u]slowly[/u] remove Max's things. I am very reluctant to do this task. Another thing Ben did yesterday was to go to the spot where Max spent most of his time during the past few weeks and SNIFF, SNIFF, SNIFF! Thanks for the advice!

Thank you....I am better. Still can't bring myself to take up his bowl and deal with his basket of toys.....

Ellieangel - It is getting a little easier. I find I can talk about him now without crying. My sister came over and we spent some time talking about his last few days and then wound up talking about Max and his fun habits. You know the "smile because he was there" saying K posted? It is true. We were lucky to have Max for his short life, he brought a lot of joy to us. Ben, poor dear, is still not sure what is going on. I wish I could explain to him. Yesterday evening a large group of racing cyclists hissed by the house on our quiet country road. Ben heard the noise went over to the window and barked half-heartedly. Then he came to the center of the living room looked at us and into the other rooms and barked repeatedly. Max was always the leader in alerting us of something strange outside and Ben would always give one or two barks as if to say, "Yep! I agree. There's something wierd out there." and then he would stop. Last night it was almost as if he was calling to Max to get over to that window and do his job! But there was no Max.... :( I think Ben will adjust.....it will just take him some time. Although he does seem to be thriving on all the extra attention he is getting now. He is like a stick tight burr!