Arkansasnurse - you're in my heart.

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my beautiful schnauzer, my shadow at all times, at 11 yrs. I do know what you are going through!

Wagonwheel, what a beautiful, beautiful saying!

I'm so sorry, Arkansasnurse - I just came back from taking one of our cats to the vet for a cortisone shot. He has allergies and gets desperately itchy when he needs medication. All the way there and back, I was feeling so grateful that he doesn't have anything truly life-threatening wrong with him. He and his little sister really are family members and I can imagine how you must be feeling.

Oh, arkansasnurse, I am so sorry for your loss! I think we give and receive the purest love there is with our animals, and when we lose them it is excruciating. What a great life your Westie had.

they will be waiting for us.

This brings back bittersweet memories for me, having lost my beautiful dog and my precious cat over the past years. And with our cat being now 15 yrs. we know our time with her is limited. My deepest sympathies to you and your family (including kitty).
"To err is human - to forgive canine"

SO sorry for your loss. Your puppers sounds like he was extra special.

I'm terribly sorry to hear about the loss of your family member, but it sounds like he had a wonderful life and once a bit of the saddness passes (it never really goes away) I'm sure all the joy you brought each other will make you smile, and all the happy memories are his gift to you.

I am sooo sorry for your lose. I can feel your pain.

That is so sad! But what a lovely story about your pets, Arkansasnurse. Thanks for writing it.

I too am very sorry for your loss, Arkansasnurse. I know the pain of losing your pup all too well. It is often a pain that not all people understand.
How wonderful that you had 18 years of travelling together, what a lucky dog to have had you.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know the ache you are feeling right now and can share it with you, because I lost my Rocky (Russian Blue Cat) on this day in 1997.

It's wonderful how our furry family members become part of our memories and how we miss them so when it is time for them to leave us.

My Rocky was also well traveled, we live in Chicago for a while and one of Rock's favorite things was to go for rides in the car. He of course would never settle for sitting in the back seat in a carrier, NO. He sat beside me in the passengers seat and nodded hello or "meowed" to say hello at other cars as they passed so he was quite popular, lol, on the road.

So please know that others are thinking of you at this time. I'll say a little prayer that Rock finds your little guy and they go romping together!!

Take care

Being an animal lover with two dogs and one cat of my own, I sympathize with your loss, Arkansasnurse. Sounds like your doggy was a "travelin' canine" of the best breed.

I'm so sorry Arkansasnurse - please know our thoughts are with you. It is obvious that your baby was loved. I too have a traveling puppy who I would mourn when she goes. I can't think of a more loving tribute than what you did here today.

Your story brought tears to my eyes. Being an animal lover (2 dogs, 3 cats) I know how hard it is to lose a member of your family as I lost my two old dogs within the last few years. (My 2 new dogs are young so hopefully we will have many years together).

It is wonderful that you had so much time with your Westie as a travel companion. Your memories of your trips together will be with you forever.

Pup and I send you our most sincere condolences. We had a little cat for 18 years and our hearts are still sore from his loss, 3 years ago.
It is good that you have so many lovely memories of your time and travels with your little pup.
Big hugs to you from Scarlett and her sweet boy, Tate the Pup

What a touching tribute. I am so sorry for your loss and understand your pain--I've had to say goodbye to more sweet dogs, and a few kitties, than humans--it's sad and it hurts. The spirit of your faithful companion will always be with you

Arkansasnurse I am so sorry for your loss. I lost one of my travel companions in December of last year to heart disease. I still mourn for her each day. She was my shadow. She was the first dog my husband and I adopted from a rescue group as a couple and she was my best friend. Since we adopted her we took in two other dogs that she helped us raise.

The only advise I can offer you is what GoTravel said, go get another one. It took us 6 months to realize that we were so use to a 3 dog household we needed to find another one.

Shortly after making that decision, I was at the vet getting a routine check up on one of mine, when my vet left the room and returned with 3 lab male puppies that someone dropped off on the doorstep a few weeks earlier. She offered me one since she knew we were wanting a new dog and, what can I say. Just like the saying in Jerry Maguire, "he had me at hello". Now I am way too busy trying to keep up with a 5 month old lab to sit around and mope. The other two dogs have perked up as well. I still miss her and no other dog will replace her, but Bacardi has helped ease the pain.

Fodor friends- You'll understand when I say that not only did I lose my Mom this year but also my two Greyhounds. All were grievously sick in different ways. And my Zack was also a great traveler, that nut LOVED the car. If its any comfort, my Mom was the greatest animal lover of anyone I've met. I picture her now waiting in Heaven to joyfully greet the animals. I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.

Thank You all for your sweet responses, I cried all over again. As for adding another dog, we still have a Dingo/Shepard mix, a Jack Russell, and a Chiuaua (sp) mix w/something, and another elderly cat along with the above mentioned tabby. Puppy was my father's dog for the first 12 years of Puppy's life, even though his name is Buttons, Puppy always stuck. I inherited him when my Dad passed away. Puppy's ashes are now back with me and I am attempting to get permission to spread these ashes, in the same place I spread the ashes of my Dad. I know they are together again. Both whole and happy. Thanks again for your kind words, wagonwheel, I will have your quote done in calligraphy to hang with Puppy's picture. Smiles are returning, memories never fail. Thanks.