i agree they all do teach us something, mine was full of good and was a great friend. those just so many things. i keep tring to find peace in the idea that one day i will see him again and the thought that he is no longer hurting. i just want him back in the pain free form. i wish the empty hurt would stop. its empty because he's gone, yet full of the memories. like i said we didnt have kids and he was all i had. i just dont remember atime with out him. im still so lost i dont know how to deal with a loss like this, i just feel so sad.

He was a beautiful boy. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you are most assuredly among compassionate friends here. I certainly sympathize and empathize with what you are feeling. I've lost two within the past year. It's never easy or without pain, but to borrow from Mr. Townsend's poem below, I would live no other way. As much as it hurts to lose them, it would hurt far more to live my life without their unconditional love.

When I lost my first greyhound, Frostman, in 1999, I was new to the internet and found this website:

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. They have a message board and chat room specifically for people grieving the loss of a companion animal. There is also a Monday night candle ceremony that may be something you find healing. The poem quoted below is one of many healing and inspirational poems on the site. You many already be familiar with The Rainbow Bridge story that is very comforting to some people during this time.

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. They also have a list of books and other grief/loss support groups and resources if that interests you. There are also websites that allow you to post pictures and a memorial tribute ... you can do one on here too. I posted one for my beloved Keno in January.

Adopting again is big part of the healing process for many people and some need to do it very soon after a loss. For me, it in no way dishonors the love I felt and still feel for the dogs that have left. I've always seen it as a perfect way to honor that love. No dog ever replaces another ... they are all unique and will always hold a unique spot in my heart. Bringing another dog into my life just continues the "fragile circle" once again.

Give yourself time and you'll know what you need to do for you. It's good that you have reached out. It is an important and healthy part of the healing process. In the meantime, we're here for you.

Fragile Circle
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan."
~Irving Townsend.

I am so sorry for your loss. This is never easy to deal with. We lost one to cancer and it takes time to feel normal again. He knew how much he was loved.

I am so sorry. It is difficult to lose them. There a many here that have felt that loss.

you are all so kind, thank you so much for all your support. it is a fragile circle indeed. you are right no matter how bad it hurts i have no regrets for the time spent with my big buddy. i picked up his ashes today and that was very difficult. in one since i was bringing him home and in another it was just more reality that he is gone. my vet sent me a simpathy card and inclosed they had made 4 paw prints of my big buddy's big paws. that is priceless to me. i love my big buddy and i really do miss him. i really like the idea of the tribute or memorial to him on the site. how do i do that? it would be great for everyone to be able to see the best friend i ever had. i really miss him.

I am so very sorry for your loss.I can tell that you are grieving....and that is a necessary thing to do.
I can only imagine what you are going through.We have 3 greys,and so far have not lost any.But,I know that some day we will have to face that loss,too.
I have lost other pets and have grieved,just like you.When you are through grieving,and you can think of Digger without tears,you will know it is time to move on.You may be feeling a little guilty,but that,too,will pass.Every time I had to have one of my babies put to sleep,I. felt so heart broken and guilty.But,as humans,for some reason,we just can't let our best friends suffer.Although it is one of the hardest things we will ever do,we don't want to watch our "babies" suffer.
Everyday will bring a little more healing for you,and one day you will be ready to bring home another hound.Not to take the place of Digger,but to give another greyhound a chance at a new life.
Digger will forever be in your heart,but God gave us a big heart to have lots of room for others.
Hang in there...our prayers are with you.
Sandy

[quote="K-town Hounds"]I am so very sorry for your loss.I can tell that you are grieving....and that is a necessary thing to do.
I can only imagine what you are going through.We have 3 greys,and so far have not lost any.But,I know that some day we will have to face that loss,too.
I have lost other pets and have grieved,just like you.When you are through grieving,and you can think of Digger without tears,you will know it is time to move on.You may be feeling a little guilty,but that,too,will pass.Every time I had to have one of my babies put to sleep,I. felt so heart broken and guilty.But,as humans,for some reason,we just can't let our best friends suffer.Although it is one of the hardest things we will ever do,we don't want to watch our "babies" suffer.
Everyday will bring a little more healing for you,and one day you will be ready to bring home another hound.Not to take the place of Digger,but to give another greyhound a chance at a new life.
Digger will forever be in your heart,but God gave us a big heart to have lots of room for others.
Hang in there...our prayers are with you.
Sandy[/quote]

To this I can only add "AMEN". I am truly sorry for Your loss.

Gary

I am so sorry to hear about Digger. My thoughts and prayers will be with you at this very difficult time. As many have said before me, take comfort in your memories and friendship and know that he will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. This is a wonderful site for support as many have gone through this, as well. I cannot imagine the sadness and loss I will feel when my beloved Bullet leaves this world. I have suffered other pet losses and feel that it can more sorrowful than "nonpet" people realize b/c they are so much a part of our daily lives and routines. I have found that the pain equals that of some human losses I have experienced. Take comfort that in time the pain lessons and the memories will bring you lasting joy. God bless~~

thank you all, i keep hoping things are going to get easier but seems like everything reminds me of him. i guess that is good because there are so many memories,, but sometimes the memories also just remind me he's not here. i was finnally able to read and watch the animated version of the rainbow bridge, i cryed all the way through but i just have to beleive that i will see him again. for as long as i remember he's been there. i looked in the back window of my car today only to realize there's still my big buddy's nose prints all over where he would ride with his head on the back of the seat looking out the window. its things like that that are sad when i see them. i always knew they were there but just never noticed them so much. thank you all for letting me keep going on on here i just still am having trouble with it. he was my best friend. allways there. always cared.
karl

Leave those nose prints there for as long as you need to. It is so hard to lose these guys, they give us so much and ask for so little in return.
I remember how horrible it was to sweep up the last of Ariel's fur in my kitchen after we lost her. I knew I would never have to sweep any more of it. It's those little things that hurt you so bad.
She was our first one that crossed the bridge and it was like being hit by a train.
I have found that the best way to heal up that hole in your heart is to put a new greyhound in there, they are not the same as the one you lost but it can really help with the pain. What better way to honor the one who left but to give a new dog a loving home?
Digger will be smiling down on you when you are ready and open your heart and home to a new dog who needs you.
It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Take good care of yourself.

i have tried to keep very busy again today to keep from crying. i have just gone to a closed off numb feeling. one of disbeilf like theres no way this can be real. i dont understand. each day just barely passes by. i wake up during the night and still expect to hear or see him. is this just part of the whole greiving process? it will be one week tommorow afternoon since digger left us and it just doesnt seem possible. i feel like he should be here now. i keep feeling such emptyness. i still cherish every moment that he was with me. and i know when i think about it, had i known it would be this hard in the end, i would still have taken him home just the same. i am very fortunate to have had such a special friend in my life. i know he is in my heart, i just wish i could find away to accept that hes not here but i just cant figure out what to do. i can still see he eyes close as he goes to sleep.

its been a week and i just cant bring myself to understand all of this. in my mind i keep searching, hoping that im gonna come home and everything will be back to normal. i'll open the door and he'll be standing there waiting on me so excited im there. but i keep coming home and the house is empty. i try to just think of all the good times, but it still hurts. when will the hurt stop. i feel so empty. i cant figure out how to start over and not have digger by myside. i just dont know what to do. you all are so kind on this board and you seem to understand. i just feel so lost. how can it be real.

diggerspeed,

I was thinking about you this morning and hope your heart is healing and your days go better for you.

i am getting through, the hurt and emptyness is still there, after spending some time at the greyhound friends i am considering taking home
another, its a tough decision in one since and in another its not. nothing can or will ever replace my special digger, he was one of a kind. and meant more to me than i can explain. there is a huge whole in my life that i dont think will ever be filled. it hurts and i guess its gonna hurt for a long time.