And then there was one…

Tilly Tot daytripping (with her human "sister"). Photo credit: Laurie M. Hamilton

Tilly Tot daytripping (with her human “sister”). Photo credit: Laurie M. Hamilton

With a heavy heart, I am letting you know that Tilly Tot, our elderly shih tzu rescue dog, passed away this morning after surgery. My husband and I are, as you might guess, completely devastated. Two of our three dogs gone in four months.

I thank you all for travelling on this journey with me. I will have to do some soul-searching, but I doubt I will continue this blog. Your interest in our three dogs has been gratifying. I am going to leave the blog up for a little while because I do believe that these articles are of interest to some people who haven’t seen them yet.

58 Comments

  1. Sandra, I am so sorry. I know you were already hurting with losing one, and now Tilly Tot.

    I wish I had an answer to the question you posed to me earlier. I can give you all the pay sayings we all give each other, but the truth is I still hurt for DeDe just as deeply as I did the day I had her euthanized. I just don’t hurt every day like I used to.

    There are grief counselors available to help us mourn our furry family members. If you need that, please get the help.

    And if you need to talk, email me.

    Liked by 3 people

    • I appreciate your taking the time, Jen. I heard the same thing from others about still mourning their pets. My vet, who was crying when she called me this morning, still grieves about her little dog, who passed four years ago.

      I am already talking to a grief counselor. She mostly counsels people who have lost human loved ones, but who do we love more than our dogs? Anyhow, she seems to be helping. Thanks for your offer of talking too. If it gets too much, I may take you up on it.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Oh Sandra, I can’t believe you have lost another one of your beloved dogs in the space of four months. You and your husband must be inconsolable.
    My heart is crying with you my dear friend, please know that I am thinking of you with a heavy heart too.
    RIP dear little Tilly Tot.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Barb. About all I can do is hang on right now. I am hoping that this new grief counselor will help. We are talking by Skype and it seemed to be helping. I don’t know about now, but I’ll try. I feel so funny right now…like I am moving through a dream, only, of course, I know this is real. I have been numb all day, wondering why I can’t cry. But your post brought tears to my eyes. I think that may be a good sign. I’ll talk later.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. There is no magic wand to help with such grief. I’m glad you have a dog with you still who can provide some comfort. They have such healing spirits. As you find your feet, you might find it helpful to speak with a reputable animal communicator. I have found it helpful to hear from my companions after they pass. They explain things from their side, and it always helps.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve suffered such a great loss, and even sorrier to hear that you’ve had two awful losses in such a short time. We’ve been through the same kind of loss and understand how extremely difficult this is. Please know that even though we’ve just met (through Rumpy), our hearts are with you. Blessings to you and your family.

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  13. Even though I have never read your blog, I feel you pain. I lost two Scottie sisters within a month of each other. They were 8 years old and it happened so suddenly. Do not give up totally. It will take a while to seem more normal. The pain never goes away.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I am so sorry for you. Do read this…. The Rainbow Bridge.
    Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
    When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

    All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
    They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

    You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

    Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I share your pain via Rumpydog………. and I am so feeling for you at this moment…….. Over sixty years I have loved and lost so very many animals. The only way not to experience the awful loss is to hold back on the love we give them – and then how empty their lives and ours would be. I know it is hard at this moment, but someone else out there is needing your love. It is we who are left behind that do the emotional stuff, and whilst I know this well it still doesn’t stop the tears flowing for you as I write this. With Love and Light.

    Liked by 1 person

    • OMG, you have brought tears to my eyes. This is a lovely, feeling, from the heart message. If it were just me, I would probably get another dog from our local animal rescue organization. But right now, my husband can’t even begin to think about another fur baby. We’ll see what happens as we go down the road. I do relate to your message and especially the third sentence. How empty our lives would be without that overpowering love, indeed. Thanks, creammagnolia.

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      • I’m glad to have some hope to share with you Sandra! I don’t think I’ll ever completely be over him but the grief is in a healthy place now…fond memories and love…has taken almost 4 years now! I honestly don’t ever plan to be completely over him and I’m hoping in my heaven he will be one of the first to greet me! I wanted to suggest some grieving tools. Writing (we wrote an E-book dedicated to Sam), drawing (I drew comics of all our favorite memories of Sam and Blondie) and ALOT of walking is what helped helped my husband and I the most. We both went through a lot of shoes but it helped us with our grief.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Thanks for those suggestions. An editor friend of mine suggested I pull together a bookful of my blog posts about the three dogs and publish it just for me and any of my friends that would like it. That one interests me greatly. I would love to take long walks, but I am disabled and can’t walk too far. However, when my scooter gets fixed I plan to bomb around town this summer and take my lovely last little dog, Ling Ling, with me. I will not ever be over either of my little sweethearts. They made my life wonderful for the entire time they were with me. I should be glad I had them for so long.

        Liked by 1 person

Oreo, Tilly & Ling Ling will wag their tales...er tails if you reply :)