Life goes on

[RBak]

We miss Andy. We miss his gentle presence in our home and in our lives. But life goes on, and with it the never ending need for homes for dogs in shelters and rescue organizations. So yesterday my husband and I drove downstate and adopted another sheltie from Central Illinois Sheltie Rescue. A 6 year old female named Buttons who was given up because a new baby was coming, and the resident toddler wasn't being taught how to treat dogs. Buttons is sweet, obedient and loving. She's smaller than Andy was and is so smart. She's figured out the household already and knows the best places to sleep and whose lap is the softest. We did not get Buttons to replace Andy. You can never replace one dog with another because each do has its own individual personality, and you love them for that. Untechnical me has asked Pops to post the photos for me, and he has graciously offered to do this. So watch for photos of a cute little sheltie girl. And thanks for all your understanding and compassion while I dealt with that heart wrenching but unavoidable part of life.

Rita
Buttons, our new sheltie girl
Andy and Champ at the bridge
Nicky, the Tennessee Walker

[nabi]

She is beautiful..I am sure she will help to heal your broken heart.

[Uppercrust]

I know how you feel, when we lost Diesel, we had Daisy but she lost her spark. We then adopted Misty and it was the perfect fit and thing to do. Beautiful pup!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

rockhillmanor wrote:

The silence was deafening. :C

I agree. Not only do we love our pets beyond words, they also entertain us, protect us, make us be active and social; probably fulfill some innate need to nurture something; and in the words of my daughter who will be getting a puppy in another week: "I need a crumb-cleaner!!!!" (She's got 2 toddlers and the family dog had to be put down a couple of months ago). So when our lives and hearts are so incredibly intertwined, yes! - losing one leaves a massive hole in our hearts and our lives.

[otis-agnes]

We need the pitter-patter of little paws to make our house a home. CONGRATS! Agnes

[rockhillmanor]

Congratulations on your new arrival!

Kudos for using Central Illinois Sheltie Rescue, know them well they are great people.

If it's worth anything about adopting 'too soon'?

After 40 years of Danes and all the heartache of bloat, cancer and them dieing before they ever saw 5 years old sometimes.

After the last Dane passed away at 4 yrs old, I said NO MORE DOGS EVER...........
I lasted a whole 2 weeks.

The silence was deafening. :C

Again glad you rescued a sheltie, she is VERY lucky to have found you as her new owners.

[USA_Traveler]

Buttons is a beautiful baby and very lucky to have you as a forever home and I am sure she will bring you many hours of happiness.

[sher9570]

Buttons is absolutely beautiful !! I know too well how you feel, we do tend to adopt another deserving pup fairly soon after losing a beloved one.
Many people have asked us how we could do it so soon and I always reply that I'm not replacing so&so, I'm just refilling my heart with the love I have for all animals.
There is nothing that heals you quicker either.
Buttons will have such a good life with you!

Sher

[CA_POPPY]

Oh, how adorable is Buttons? I can see how she got her name, with those bright button eyes! You have to wonder sometimes, if certain things are just meant to be. I wish for you many happy years together.

[ReneeG]

What a beautiful girl that little Button's is! You are all blessed to have one another. We feel the same for the many dogs in shelters needing loving homes. Seems as we lose one, we get another in order to share the love and help another one out. I often wonder though who is being helped the most?! Us or the dog.

[Crowe]

What a little beauty! Andy's body is gone but not his soul. It will forever be melded with yours. We never replace but add to.

[magnusfide]

God bless you, Rita, for adopting again. Buttons will be most appreciative too. You're right, you cannot replace them but you can expand their legacy of love by helping another. :c

[LadyRVer]

Beautiful furbaby...they never replace, just earn their own spot in our hearts.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Oh Rita - I'm so happy for you! You're right - a new dog doesn't replace one who's being grieved - but they DO help distract you from the heartache 😉 Buttons is beautiful - she's a very lucky girl to have a loving family like yours!!!

Best wishes to all of you!!!

[romore]

Buttons is a good looking girl, reminds me of the collie I grew up with. He has been gone for 45 years and I still miss him.
We just went through the same turmoil, we had to let both our toy poodles go. They had good lives but it was time. We found Millie, a Shih Tzu/Maltese cross who is the sweetest little girl imaginable. Although she has stolen our hearts, she will never replace Lulu and Gigi but as you say it is time to move on. All the best. I will post a picture when I figure out how.