Several times I've heard, "I don't know how you do it." Honestly, I don't know either. What I do know is that I'm a bit of a crumpled mess right now. The tears are just under the surface. When I was at work yesterday and today as well, I really tried to keep my emotions from bubbling up at an inopportune time -- like when I was with patients, or picking out produce at the grocery store. And of course what has gone along with all of this is that I am eating all the wrong things. Can you go through the drive-thru twice at McDonalds?
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| ~My heart-stopping breakfast this morning~ |
“We who choose to surround ourselveswith lives even more temporary than our own,live within a fragile circle;easily and often breached.Unable to accept its awful gaps,we would still live no other way.We cherish memory as the onlycertain immortality, never fullyunderstanding the necessary plan.”
―
As hard and sad as it can be and is, I would live no other way.
Thank-you again, friends, for sharing the loss of Bailey as well as Cissy and Joy too.
You all are truly the best!
You are amazing and the pups who cross your threshold are blessed!
ReplyDeleteI don’t know you personally, but I care and admire your strength so much. You are an exceptional human being with a heart as big as the sky. And brave, did I mention, brave, and open to all things no matter how hard, did I mention open to love, adventure, and what is hard, oh yes, I did. You are a special person, Kim, and the world is blessed.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you, and, as always, bless you for the joy you bring to the pups even though you know it will break your heart again.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Kim.
Over the years we have said a farewell to many cats, some old, some not old at all, and each time, I have the most enormous admiration when I think of you Kim, and the heart that fills with love and expands to care for one more. We had 4 family deaths in 2 weeks, in 2003, and that was really difficult to absorb, but this year with Felicity, last year with our darling stray Basil, those times were so much more a loss to have.Your dearest boys and girls will always be with you, and the huge hole will slowly fill in with love and affection.XXX
ReplyDeleteI can only echo the words of CheerfulMonk.
ReplyDeleteYou have given so many lost souls a peaceful and safe haven in their twilight years, and they have gone to the Rainbow Bridge knowing that whatever else happened in their lives, they were truly loved at the end.
I also echo better words than my own. Coppa's girl summed it up beautifully. "and they have gone to the Rainbow Bridge knowing that whatever else happened in their lives they were truly loved at the end."
ReplyDeleteoh Kim. what a legacy. tears again here. for you. and for your beloved Bailey. and for all that you do. and are. sending you love dear heart. your strength never ceases to amaze all of us. XO
Hello,I have gone thru letting 7 dogs go in 30 years and I know it is hard, I feel my heart is broken and I still miss them all. You are a compassionate dog lover with a big heart. I am happy these older dogs have a happy home with you. Hugs to you and all your dogs. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for all you do with the pups that come into your home. Compassion fatigue is real and something many in the pet helping community experience. It sure is tough when you lose so many in such a short time.
ReplyDeleteYour house will never seem empty with Todd around.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fitting quote. I'm still touched by grief every day. My mornings are my mourning time and I feel I can't go on, but somehow we do. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteI am behind in my blog reading so I didn't know about Bailey until today. So once again I send sympathetic thoughts. I suppose we have been lucky. We got a Springer Spaniel the year we married; she lived 16 years. We got another Springer and she also lived sixteen years. Next came a Golden Retriever followed by another the next year. Lucy is now fourteen and reasonably comfortable. But the best dog in the world, Ellie died far too young and suddenly. That keeps me from feeling as fortunate as I have been. It's been almost six years now and I miss her every single day.
ReplyDeleteKim, I've been out of touch and just learned about Bailey. Oh this sweet darling girl will be missed. Thank you for sharing her with us. There are tears here for you all; may God bless your generous heart and the countless lives you touch.
ReplyDeleteYou are an exceptional person with a huge heart
ReplyDeletehugs
Mabel & Hilda
You are a blessing to every dog who meets you and who is given a time of grace with you. I love that quote. It is perfect. Take care of yourself - you give so much that it must be exhausting both physically and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteYou are a truly kind & loving person. And an inspiration. My husband & I along with my sister recently adopted two 8 year old Newfoundlands, a brother & sister who literally have been together their entire lives. They had been in foster care for quite a while. They may not be with us for years & years but we are treasuring each day with have them. When the time comes we will give them that final gift of freedom, we will hold them & tell them how much we love them and that someday we will see them again. I believe you never truly say good-bye to the ones you love. Thank you for sharing your "Golden Life" with everyone. Thank you for helping us find Ben & Elsie, they have been a gift.
ReplyDeleteso so sorry to read about Bailey. I love the words you quote and they as so true. You do such a fabulous job looking after dogs in the autumn of their years when many would give up on them. Bailey I am sure will be missed and I am also sure you will be caring for other like him along the way. xxxxx
ReplyDeleteYou are truly the best. ♥ I could not do what you do...I wish I could; but we are not all as strong as you are. I admire you, while feeling your pain and grief and wishing you didn't have to bear it. Just today I was missing our little beagle so much, we lost her over a year ago. The pain never really goes away, it just gets more bearable. KB is right...do not forget to take care of yourself. ♥
ReplyDeleteHey Bailey.You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.What do animals eat?
ReplyDeleteI always felt that getting Todd was such a wonderful thing for you. Such a high-spirited puppy and later grown dog to make you smile. I think you need him as much as the old dogs need you. Give him a hug, take good care of yourself, and do what I do, when I think of Errol, sad-smile. I smile through my tears, you will too, soon. Sending lots of love.....
ReplyDeleteOh Kim, my heart goes out to you. God Bless you for loving all the "pups" you've adopted over the years! Our second Golden Girl, Shadow, left us in February to reunite with her "sister" and best friend, Callie. They are now our "twin" Golden Angels, and they watch over their little sister for us. I miss them both more each day. As my friend, JanK said, "the pain never really goes away, it just gets more bearable."
ReplyDeleteAnd you are their Angel Kim
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles