Hi Umm.... I'm just catching up on your thread. OMG - so much has happened. I know why your pool build has taken so long - so we can keep up with you and your family.
I should have brought tissues to catch up with you. My heart is so heavy for you and your family losing Sprinkles. Golly, we love our pets, don't we? No matter how old they are, I always call them 'my babies'. I've been that way about pets all my life. As an adult, it's been all cats. For me, they are lower maintenance than dogs. So, I soak up being with dogs when visiting my friends - and my grand-dog, Willie. We've lost so many cats to different things - but so many because we've always kept 3-5 cats at a time (Kim, I know you're rolling your eyes at that number! Lol!!!). My son and I were a little concerned about the pool being dug, because we've had so many funerals and burials in this yard over the last 27 years. But none of the crews ever mentioned finding a casket, so I guess we were lucky. The last 3 cats we lost died within a year of each other close ,about 7-8 years ago. I didn't think my heart would ever mend. When I started living alone, those 3 babies were all the company I had until my son moved back home. I remember when I was younger and was so grieved over a cat, I told my mom that I could never have another pet and go through that pain again. Like someone mentioned above on your thread, Mom told me our love was meant to be given. She also said our hearts would just keep getting bigger and bigger for any number of pets we wanted and could manage. From then on, I've always adopted another cat soon after a loss. I won't say that it's easy, but my heart mends faster because the love for the new 'baby' blooms and blossoms. So almost 8 years ago we adopted the 3 we have now - Toby, Max, and Dante (didn't start out to get 3, only wanted 1 to cut down on work around here, but my plan didn't exactly match that of the Big Guy's plan. Lol!) Not a day passes that Nick and I aren't laughing over something one or all of them has done. And like dogs, these guys come running to the door when we get home. That unconditional love can't be beat.
One last thought - I love the Rainbow Bridge, and rely on it to help me through the loss of a furry loved one. And about 20 years ago, a friend gave me comfort with a visual I'll never forget. She said she envisions when she gets to Heaven, all her lost furry loves come bounding and racing to get to her, knocking her over with kisses, slurps, and barks and meows of loving greetings. I just love that! Boy, I tell ya', if I make it 'There' someday, I'm going to have a herd of pets coming at me - oh what joy!!!
I've gotta run, so comments on your pool will have to come later. Reading about Sprinkles brought on a rush of memories and emotions - just had to respond.
Much love to you and your family, Ummm...
Suz
