Before yesterday, my last post was August 2023. That’s over a year and a half — somehow I didn’t realize it had been that long. It’s been a … full time. I was going to say rough, but maybe life just IS rough? I mean, not that every day is hard but every life has challenges and obstacles along with the joys and laughter and successes.
Things were kind of okay after we lost Grace. I was sad, of course, and missed her terribly. I still miss her. But I’d had time to grieve and mentally adjust to the loss even before it happened – that time to prepare can help more than I realized. About six months after we lost Grace, we adopted a 12 week old puppy and I named her Bella. She was supposed to be a black lab but ended up being mostly pit bull. She was our first tiny puppy, so adorable, but also so freaking smart. Smartest dog I’ve ever seen. She knew the names of all her toys and would go get them when I asked. Anyway. We had Bella for six months before she got injured in a freak accident and broke her spine, and we lost her. That took me out. It was so unexpected, so unfair. Grieving Bella has been harder than grieving Grace, in a lot of ways.
Because I am weak when I am grieving, we ended up back at the shelter about a month or so later. We’d learned that puppies bring joy, and we liked that joy. This time, we brought our youngest with us, and he fell in love with a little tan girl puppy. She wasn’t my first choice, but I did love to see him find his dog, the way I’ve found mine before. She’s mostly pit bull with a bit of dachshund, and she’s cute and snuggly and silly. I like her, but she’s not my dog. And that’s okay. For now, I’ve still got Jack and Duncan. Jack is 11 now and had a growth on his leg removed in January, but thankfully it was benign and he bounced back quickly. Duncan is 9 and just a big old potato with legs.
Of course there’s been more going on – a roadtrip to Philadelphia, a meet-up with the girl in Iowa – but dogs are always the highlight, right? For now, I’m looking forward to an April trip to Salem, MA for the Fiber Witch Festival with some of my little knitting coven. We’ve reserved a house and booked a walking tour and a trolley tour and of course we’re psyched for the vendor market but mostly I’m looking forward just sitting around and knitting with some of my favorite people!
bonnyknits 
Oh boy. That IS a lot to contend with. Glad your youngest found a pup that’s snuggly and silly. That bodes well for a good relationship. The pet stuff seems to hit harder as I get older. I’ve had multiple dogs (and horses) my entire life, but the three dogs I have now will about crush me when they go. I have a senior that we almost lost last fall/early winter, but we found the right meds and he’s doing better now. I lost my mare last spring, and didn’t replace her. That was a first, and a good indication that I’m ready to whittle things down to a dull roar on the horse front. Dogs will be next, and when the oldest goes, I’ve already said I’m not getting another. Or so I say. Ha! We’ll see about that.
Oh gosh. Sorry about your mare, I’m sure that was hard. I can’t imagine living without dogs, honestly, though I have thought about keeping it to just one at a time!
I feel a very strong temptation to drop everything and spend my savings on a trip to Salem… Maybe next year – it looks like a great festival!
I’ve had dogs all my life and I still mourn every one of them. For now I just get to enjoy my son’s 2 dogs until he moves out next year. Then the house will be much too quiet for me. Our snowbirding means I can’t have a dog as most rentals don’t allow pets. Glad you have a fun trip to look forward to.
Yeah, it’s funny how each dog leaves its own mark on you. I imagine having grand-dogs is a bit like having grandbabies – you get to enjoy them for a little while without having to be responsible for them!
You have had so much going on the last year and a half! Losing pets is always a heartbreak. I still miss all of the cats I have lost over the years for sure. Can’t wait for the trip!!
Sitting and knitting with friends can be such a boon. I still need to find a new in-person knitting group… it’s been way too long since mine all moved to different areas and lost touch.