Lucy Made Me Smile Today! :o)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Since our sad day on Monday DH and I have been worried about Lucy and how this whole situation would affect her.  Not only just now being the only doodle, but would the fact that they were liter mates make the situation any different for her.  Neither of us has any experience with a situation like this so we just weren't really sure what we should watch for.  Lucy has sort of had to take a back seat in the last few months and so normal for her is just sort of laying around, napping, barking if there is a noise outside or getting really excited if someone stopped by.  This afternoon as she lay on her pillow in the Den while we were both on the computer we got to talking about if we thought she was depressed or if she was just tired (she got a haircut today.  Another thing that had been neglected).  Anyway we have vowed that we are going to get her back on a regular walking schedule and rehab that knee some more and also try and take off a few pounds as well.  (Although after her haircut she didn't look nearly as chunky).  So, I said to her "Do you wanna go for a walk" and she just jumped up and gave me that little head tilt like what are you waiting for.  Mike was going to bundle up and take her.  When they returned I was still on the computer and I heard her little toe nails running across the living room floor.  She came screaming into the Den, full speed, ran up to my chair, threw those big paws up on my shoulders and gave me the biggest Lucy Hug and some sloppy little Lucy kisses.  She was just all excited.  I couldn't help but smile. 

That makes me think that she is doing ok.  If anyone has been through anything similar and has any ideas on what we might watch for that would be great.  We are just pretty clueless on anything that we might need to do to help her.  She is pretty independent.  She never minded my leaving her home alone when Sophie and I did therapy work.    We have kept her night time routine the same by leaving her in their room and she seems fine with it.  She hasn't even whined to wake me in the morning.  Bottom line, I want to do anything that we can to help her through the transition and don't want to do anything that might make it harder.  Any ideas appreciated.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Whatever you do, I am  certain it will be just fine.  We went through this a year ago, and it does get better. although I really thought it never would because it seemed to come in waves.  My thoughts are that if you are happy, she will be okay.  She also wants to mourn with you, so let her. Hold her, cuddle with her, play with her, and sometimes, just let them be.

Bless  you all. You are in my thoughts

[Wendy and Myla]

I think Lucy is going to do anything possible to get that smile back on your face - she knows you're hurting and she will do everything she can to help you get through this - all she wants from you is for you to keep loving her as  you always have!  Doodles are smart that way!

 

Thinking of you lots and I'm so glad you have Lucy to help you through this!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't have experience with this, but I don't think you would do anything that would make things harder for Lucy. You love her and you know her. I'd just take your cues from her. Sticking to her usual routine sounds right to me.

I am so glad that she made you smile today.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Yeah for Lucy!!  Sounds like while you've been worrying about her, she's been "worrying" about you.  Her big doodle hug and sloppy kisses were just what you BOTH needed right now!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am glad Lucy made you smile today. Nothing beats a Doodle hug :)

[Leslie and Halas]

That's so sweet that she made you smile.  I'm sure she'll just enjoy extra time with you.  Besides that, I don't have any advice.  I do have an interesting story.  We used to have 2 huskies.  Shadow liked to greet me by waiting for me to tap my chest, and then gently standing on his hind legs and putting his front paws on my shoulders.  Jessie would never do this.  I think her hips bothered her, and she never seemed interested.  Shadow loved to get brushed.  Jessie hated it, and would try to walk away from me and hide if I got the shedding blade out.  Within a few days after Shadow died, I tapped my chest (I always tried it with Jessie, even though she never did it), and Jessie stood on her hind legs and put her paws on my shoulders.  A couple of days after that, I got the shedding blade out, and she let me brush her for as long as I needed to.  It's like she figured she had to do those things since Shadow was gone.  They weren't litter mates, but they were really attached.  I'll be curious to hear if Lucy takes on any of Sohpie's characteristics.

I hope Lucy continues to bring you smiles.

[BG and Gavin]

What a sweet story Leslie.  They are magnificent aren't they?

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Leslie, what a wonderful thing our dogs posses, to know what to do to make us better.

Just like your Jessie, our Sophie starting doing things like sleeping in her sister Lexi's spot on the couch, coming upstairs to be with Grandma and Papa (a bone of contention for our DD and SIL when they stayed with us) instead of being down with her family. I think she thought her Grandma, me, needed her more than her Mom & Dad...I was devastated when Lexi left us, she was the most loving girl.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

What a sweet story Leslie.  That is exactly how Lucy's hugs originate.  However if you are standing she isn't tall enough to get the feet on your shoulders so hugs usually come when you are sitting down (occasionally even when you don't ask for them ... she just feels the need to give one). 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

That's a fascinating story, Leslie, and so touching.  Do we communicate our needs to them, are they reading us, or do their actions originate out of their own needs?  Stories like these remind me of how strong our bonds are.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Lucy kisses.... they are her way of saying, that you all will get through this together ♥

[Kyoko]

Seems like she is saying "Mom, I'm OK. But I want to make sure YOU are OK...."

God bless you all... It is so hard when it is their time to go...  It has been a year and half for me, but once in awhile, I still talk to Charlie about him .....