24 Comments

With our loss still so fresh, I've been thinking of you with yours. My heart still aches & random tears come through. We've made the difficult decision not to get another dog until we come back from holidays early next year - we have 5 weeks in the UK in March. But on Sunday I spoke to someone who's dog had a litter of cocker pups only a week or so ago & I was tempted. Seriously tempted. It wasn't, however, the right time. Wishing you all the very best.

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Joanne, there's something that will whisper when the time is right.

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts. It's a tough time but one muddles through.

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A beautifully worded and shared stories in your post... thanks for sharing Prue. And yes, grief is weird and 6 y olds tell us the world as it is...or may be...to them. Take care...looks like you are doing that well.

Denyse x

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Thanks, Denyse. It's a ride, that's for sure. And my grandson is so blazingly honest - yesterday it was, 'I miss H but the house is a lot calmer. I like calm houses.' Hmm.

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Aw bless the littlist farmer A friend shared this recently

"Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love. They depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog. It merely expands the heart."

quite apt I thought.

When you know you'll know xxxx <3

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Beautiful quote Libby. Rather apt and so is this one from our late Queen:

'Grief is the price we pay for love.'

And yes to 'When you know, you'll know...'

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Yes most certainly , Grief is the price we pay for love x

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Six year olds do have a way of looking at the world that is so different to an adults don’t they. Their world view has only a few years of experience to draw on.

I am so glad to hear that you have been able to find places that are supporting you where you are at right now. How lovely to read that you may have a new puppy in your lives in the not to distant future, more treasured memories to be made.

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'Hopefully' a pup. We are being very cautious - looking for those signs I mentioned. I have an obscure idea that my beloved terrier will send us the biggest sign of all, but that may be the meanderings of a madwoman.

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I've thought of you so often since you posted of your loss. In grief, I curl inward for a time. When my husband was looking for a puppy, he called me at work,"How do I know if it's my puppy?" That's easy, I replied...Sit on the ground and it's the one who gives you the most kisses! We had our beloved Bear for 13 years.We lost him last week. He was all heart.

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Susan, I'm so sorry. Bear was the same age as The Terrier. It's the loss of that heart and soul that is so deeply connected with us that hurts so much. And yes, you are so right - you have to sit on the ground and wait. That's just how it happened with The Terrier. May your grief be kind...

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I have been thinking of you and your family since your first post about your sweet Terrier. This last one is such a beautiful circle of life story and your grandson sounds absolutely charming and bright. I admire your love of dogs and your open hearted willingness to welcome a new pup into your life. Simply wow.

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Thanks so much, Alice. We're trying not to second guess ourselves over a new pup. But the reality is that in 73 years of life, I've barely had a day without a dog in my life. The alternative is an abhorrent thought. We shall see what eventuates...

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Ah, Prue... I'm glad you're looking while also staying open to what intuition has to offer in the way of guidance. H is surely working out the finer details for you in the interim. 🐶

There is something so endearing about how children say what's on their minds, having not yet saddled themselves with all the filters and second-guessing of adulthood, and often a different approach to attachment. Your grandson sounds like just the influence you all need to help you stay rooted in the present, your hobbies another. Thank goodness for gardens and ballet friends. You all looked beautiful, by the way! Like dusk, and plums, and elegance!

May each day feel a bit less wobbly. May the summer season infuse you with purpose and warmth. Sending more hugs.

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Like dusk and plums and elegance. I shall tell the girls, Elizabeth. That's so beautiful.

Thank you for your kind wishes - yes, despite what people say against it, Time is great healer. We will get there. Besides as you say, summer's coming, Christmas is rushing toward us and there may be a new hairy member of the household in mid-January. We shall see...

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Oh, the photos you'll share! :)

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I am so glad Prue that you have let yourself be open to a new pup so soon - I agree with this wholeheartedly. That unbearable sense of loss will be soothed by the sheer energy of a new little furry face about the house. Their little pink noses are SO sweet. (I waited close to ten years for another dog due to financial concerns really and I just *yearned* to hear those toenails clicking on the floor behind me again!) I think it is so sensible that you are just pleasing yourselves right now as you tend to simple tasks, bake and visit gardens. You're so very wise about life going on too. Please keep us posted on any further pup updates xo

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It's been a bit unbearable this afternoon. Apparently this morning was my husband's moment while I was out. Thank heaven we can talk about all of this with each other...

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So sad to hear this but it's still such raw, early days yet - keep on keeping on.

Sending hugs and love xo

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Oh, PUPPY DAY! And that feels so right to hear, it really does. I'm so happy for you, but sending a cocoon of loving support at the same time - I know how hard you're feeling your loss.

Congratulations on the performances - wow, that's awesome! And hurrah for love and support and TimTams from your dancing community.

It's no coincidence, is it, that that chocolate drizzle on that beautiful cookie is an H? WONDERFUL. xxxxxxx

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It's a slow, well-documented journey, grief. But we're getting there...

And yes, the H drizzle was very deliberate. One for my husband and one for myself with the last of the melted choccie.

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Oh, that’s absolutely perfect. I’m so happy that you did that with the chocolate - a beautiful touch! 😘

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Lovely! And sorry to hear about your Terrier. I had a few. Spike and Daisy were 90% JR and 10% pure evil. They died years ago, but I still miss them.

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Out of 8, we've only had one that was evil and he was exchanged after three weeks to one that was an angel. What they all have been is hilarious, feisty, long-lived and generally really healthy until the end. They also learned when they were ready not when we were. But dog relationships have changed. Now we capture and reward the behaviour we like. We also learn the body language. We learned so much with the Terrier. It was incredible to speak his language.

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