Posted by Dr. Bob on September 20, 2003, at 19:54:50
In reply to God Bless Isabel, posted by rayww on September 18, 2003, at 15:34:14
Re: God Bless Isabel » rayww
Posted by Dena on September 19, 2003, at 19:30:30
In reply to God Bless Isabel, posted by rayww on September 18, 2003, at 15:34:14
Hey Ray!
As someone who lives in the path of Isabel, thank you for your prayers. We survived, although we have to boil our water for several more days - it could have been much worse - & it was for many people who lost so much...
My youngest daughter's name is Isabelle (she's 19 months). My 5 year old son told us that Isabelle's evil twin, Isabel was quite the trouble-maker!
I do have a sort of grief to share. One of our dogs, Sierra, whom we've had since she was a small puppy (she's 4) bit two of my young sons earlier this week. She's a Belgian Malinois - a breed often used by police & security people because of their intensity... we were warned (after we already had her for a couple of years) that they sometimes become aggressive as they get older. Sadly, that seems to have happened. I saw her bite one of my sons - so I know he wasn't teasing her - it was fear-aggression.
So, tomorrow, I have to take her to a gentleman who trains these dogs for drug-tracking & bomb-tracking. He loves these dogs & she really does need a "job". It'll be a relief to not have to worry about my children getting hurt, but it's so hard to let go of an animal you've become attached to. I look at her, & I feel so forlorn. I keep wondering what she'll go through once I drop her off - will she wonder why she's there, & if I'll come back? We're all she's ever known. My eldest son, who's almost 16, practically raised her, & she sleeps with him. He's being stoic about her leaving, but I think his grief will come out in other teen-acceptable ways - anger perhaps?
I have such a hard time saying good-bye - I've been doing it all of my life (former army brat - I moved 30 times by the time I was 30, including three high schools). I've said good-bye to my baby lately, & now my dog (I wish this didn't sound so trite). The dog has given me more annoyance & frustration than pleasure over the years - but I feel as if I'm failing her - I didn't train her as best as I could have - should have. (here I go, "shoulding" on myself!)
I'll still have my beloved Savannah, my white German shepherd... but leaving Sierra with a stranger is going to be hard.
I feel silly for going on about my grief over a dog, when so many of you have lost people dear to you. I don't mean to be insensitive... it's just what's on my heart tonight.
Shalom, Dena
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Re: God Bless Isabel » Dena
Posted by Dinah on September 19, 2003, at 23:05:48
In reply to Re: God Bless Isabel » rayww, posted by Dena on September 19, 2003, at 19:30:30
I'm sorry about your dog, Dena. But it sounds like you've found her a position where she'll be happy and your family will be safe. Some dogs just need more work than a family can provide. They're happier when they have a job. Don't feel guilty about it, or feel guilty about being sad about it. They are part of our families. You did your best for her.
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Re: God Bless Isabel » Dinah
Posted by Dena on September 20, 2003, at 18:01:37
In reply to Re: God Bless Isabel » Dena, posted by Dinah on September 19, 2003, at 23:05:48
Thanks, Dinah. You always seem to know just what to say.
I just got back from taking my dog to her new owner. It was harder than I thought it'd be. My oldest three children were with me - my eldest, Joshua, practically raised Sierra from a puppy. He's such a stoic personality - he didn't show his pain, but it was there.
Her new owner is going to train her to become a working dog, but he said she'd probably end up in his bed, by the way she was being so friendly toward him.
It's always so hard to let go of those we've loved.
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:262041
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/grief/20030903/msgs/262041.html