My girl's spirit is with me forever and always; the connection we have is so beautiful and our relationship and experience has taught me several life lessons! One of the greatest lessons was learning that there is no end to the relationship, since the spirit never dies.... and so I never have to say goodbye, just learn a new way to "connect" and move forward together:) Tika remains with me every single day, in love and spirit.

@@coldinyk ❤

Sorry, I just saw your comment now. I hope you are finding your way... Surrendering and accepting to what is, can be the greatest challenge for some. But knowing that your Carley hasn't actually left you, since her spirit does not die, this can be a source of strength and comfort for you in the days, weeks, months and years to come. It has been over 2 years since Tika's departure from the physical world, and our bond is so strong that I have never felt her absence since that day...May 28/21. If you haven't already visited it, I would like to share with you Tika's Part 2 story, which may help you through this journey you are currently on. Face that grief, embrace it, honour it, acknowledge it - because that is part and parcel, LOVE.... The two are inseparable. And it hurts so much because you don't have anywhere to channel that love that you poured into Carley... But I promise you, if you can do little things for other pets, whether it's bringing treat bags to friends' dogs at Christmas, walking dogs at your local shelter, interacting with someone else's pets... you will start feeling a bit of relief from the pain, because the love that has been bottled up inside with no where to go now has somewhere to go.... and this becomes a bit of a legacy for Carley.... the things you do to make others happy, that is because of Carley. I hope this makes some sort of sense for you.... and it is written much more clearly in the blog post: www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/ Best wishes for moving forward on your journey (not "moving on"), with Carley happily trotting right at your side:)

Me too!

Beautiful! I too had to say goodbye to my little pug Riley who I gave as a Christmas present to my daughter when he was a pup. We loved him for 15 years and miss him dearly . On the night he passed he was quite and wasn’t moving much and we knew his time had come but the minute my daughter cuddled him in her arms he looked up into her eyes as to say goodbye I have to leave so don’t cry and soon after he passed peacefully. I believe he is in heaven being all of God’s creation was good in the beginning and he is taking care of them for us until he calls us home where we will be meet at the gates by our pets

Omg ty I’m heading to a goodbye soon I think. My Doberman has liver issues. Ty for what you wrote.

Meine verstorbene Tiere haben mir immer neue Fellbabys anvertraut. ❤❤❤❤❤

Wow! What a love-filled life you must have had with 6 GSDs.... And I am so very happy to hear your story and that you have a new addition! About 15 months after Tika's departure, I brought Miss Hiccup into my life (it wasn't planned, even though I was walking dogs at the shelter, and when I saw her... OMG, something just clicked!) I'm pretty sure Tika had something to do with this set up! Here is Hiccup's adoption story (she will be 10 years in October 2024): ukposts.info/have/v-deo/bJF-q5iGq6yYsX0.htmlsi=NbWGhWrwYh_0HX03. Sending you best wishes to you and your family!

Of one thing I am very sure. That our dogs and cats too, when at the end of their lives, would hate to think of us being sad and hurt. They want us to give another dog or cat the same kind of loving they enjoyed. The cat we have just now, came into our lives five years ago now and the boy cat we had before her, was our only boy cat. I called him my wee baby boy because he was also the only cat we’ve had from a kitten. I was heart broken and just as I was starting to sink into a depression, Cleo walked into our lives. My boy cat used to hug my leg but stopped doing that as he grew older. He only started again a couple of months before he passed. Our new cat, Cleo surprised me and delighted me by running at me and hugging my leg the way her big brother did that I missed. She does it often. She is such a happy cat. Doing zoomies and giving leg hugs especially just before we’re off to bed. I can’t look at her without feeling love and gratitude to God for bringing her into our lives with more leg hugs than ever.

Me too. I'm more sad when I loose a great dog than I am of some family members. Doggies are never intentionally mean to a good human. Woof

I truly believe that Angel hasn't left you, you are not "without"; she soul remains alive in your heart.... You remain connected forever and always by the very strong bond created during your life together. You have so much love to give, and it was never meant for only one soul.... it is meant to be continually given/shared, the more love we can give, the better our lives our, and those of others! Angel would want to see you sharing this love... it is kind of like her legacy... you will feel so much better once you get back to sharing the love. The first time I had close contact with another dog was 5 months after Tika's departure. I did my first housesit/petsit while traveling... doing what I love the most! My first time sitting was in Italy (my fave place in the world), and then 6 months later, I did it again in NYC (my 2nd most fave place!)... And I just LOVED these dogs!! i know Tika was so touched by me doing this... I felt that by caring for and loving these other dogs, I was channeling my love to her... it was reaching her! (I was in TEARS when I had to leave both of these dogs at the end of the housesit, i know it was a very therapeutic experience for me... definitely a big part of my grief journey) And then I began walking dogs at our local shelter... never with the intention to foster or adopt... I even brought dogs home for the wknd to give them a break from the shelter, I'd make promotional videos for the spca and help show what wonderful dogs they were!! AND THEN.... Hiccup and I found each other!!! See her story here: Hiccup's Adoption Story: ukposts.info/have/v-deo/bJF-q5iGq6yYsX0.htmlsi=qzodAfr-zdZb8gdy Keep an open mind and open heart, and know that by giving and sharing your love with others, you are connecting with Angel. Your relationship continues on; and the more you actively tap into that love, (intentionally doing so for Angel), the more apparent Angel's presence will be. She is right there, and always will be. Sending love and good wishes to you!

A very intimate experience and one I would never pass up if given the opportunity again. I'm grateful I had that chance. Deep grief because it is such deep love.; we've been blessed to know that love.

Those days are always tuff... I have 2 now, to love and share stuff with.. Woof

Such great dogs, thank you for giving me hope that I will make it through.

❤

I would say that it perhaps this brought you back to the very deep love (which you might view as pain). As I write about in Tika's Part 2 story, pain/grief is the other side of love - they are inseparable. And to honor the grief, you honor the love. Embrace it. www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/

@@coldinyk 👍👍👍

❤

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. Not a second goes by without Tika in my mind and heart. Taking things one moment at a time.

And she will remain a big part of your lives:) She's with you forever and always.

That's so beautiful. Belle was so comforted with you at her side. I truly believe they haven't "left" us.... their spirit never dies and remains with us forever and always.

❤❤❤

I agree, Duke and Tika are friends! I know it hurts, and having to make that decision was really really difficult; you did the best thing you could have done for him, and it was such great love to have made that decision for him. He knows this and he will always be with you; his spirit never dies.

Hands down I have 2 and their our world 😢

Our 5year old sable and black female GSD Amber would agree!

You learn very quickly how your fur baby can read you so well, and so I did my very best not to show her my sadness or frustration, because she would then feel bad. For example, even during the 2+ years with the paralysis setting in her back half, Tika couldn't feel when she had to go to the bathroom, and #2 would happen just like that! Sometimes while laying on the couch, sometimes while I'm walking her on her front legs only to go outside or come back inside, and some little surprises pop out! And you can't get angry or give her any kind of negative energy, because that will just bruise her spirit and there is nothing she can do about it. It's all part of compassion, devotion and love. You put on the smile and give them every ounce of love and attention that you can, because you know that your time together (while in physical form) is limited and you cherish every single moment. Wishing you a beautiful life together with your little guy, and know that when his time comes, the spirit/soul never ever dies; your relationship and bond is forever...and he will live in your heart until your day comes and you are reunited.

These are so Tuff to see..so sad.. Been there... Hugging my 2 mutts now.

Thank you. We have a very special, unbreakable bond.

Not only do I believe we will be reunited when our time comes, but also, I don't think our relationship and connection ever ended to begin with... It continues forever and always through spirit and love, and this brings me great comfort in life!

Thank you. I'm sorry I am just seeing this message now. I hope that your grief journey has improved since you wrote 3 months ago. I have shared with others Tika's "Part 2" story that may be of assistance for you if you're looking for ways to help you move forward with your grief and love... I am very familiar with how much it can hurt, and I'm grateful to have found myself on a beautiful grief journey that showed me that it doesn't have to hurt. (Which is what I wrote about, and also in response to so many comments that were left from people all over who have been facing similar experiences). I've kept Tika as a central and very obvious part of my life; she is everywhere in my house, even in my car. I continue to talk about her all the time, and I know she is with me always. And all of this... while I have a new girl, Miss Hiccup! (She is a 9 year rescue!) I'll share with you her adoption video below). Tika's PART 2 story: Pet Bereavement - Moving Forward with Love and Grief: www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/ Hiccup's Adoption Story: ukposts.info/have/v-deo/bJF-q5iGq6yYsX0.htmlsi=qzodAfr-zdZb8gdy Best wishes to you. And thank you for connecting with me and sharing your story.

Thank you so much. Yes, Tika will always always be with me! She is my soul dog and we will remain connected forever.

Thank you so much for your kind words! Yes, she was so happy. She was having a real hard time in her final 6 months with the chair, and we barely were able to get out on walks, but instead took her on many drives! I was on a year off from work, so she had someone with her 24/7 (between her Dad and I:) So much love! Have you seen her other videos on my channel? I have a great video (but didn't upload on youtube) of Tika's first steps in a wheelchair (she was trying out a friend's), and she just took to it so easily! It was sooo heart warming! (I might have a snippet of that video in one of my others). I wrote about our experience and journey in detail at www.tawnabrown.com/degenerative-myelopathy-senior-dog/, that is part 1; part 2 is: www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/. Since you're doing research on DM, I'd like share with you some friends who are connected to some research also (Tika is the "poster child" German Shepherd image on the products they sell for fundraising efforts). Please visit: www.bubbasbuddies.org for more information about the research and trials. Thank you for stopping by. Best wishes with your research!

Thank you. The waves of emotion keep coming.... I was doing better within a week of her departure, and now at 2.5 weeks, it is hard, I find myself emotional more often. Missing her so much. She was my outlet for so much of my love and energy, and I'm still trying to figure out how to channel that love and energy into something that represents our strong bond.... I'll find it though. I know I'll know when I do:)

I lost the best dog of my life 5 years ago, the hardest thing ever, took a week off from work!!! Time does help but, you never forget!!! I have another boy now who has amazing similarities!!! I think it's God's way of easing the pain!!!

That she is!!!

When I have those crying moments, I feel those are times when I'm very connected to Tika's spirit.... I don't look at this as a sad thing, but rather a very special gift of love, of remembering, of connecting. I write a lot about this in Tika's Part 2 story, and perhaps this may offer you a different perspective on what you are going through and your overall grief journey. You don't have to stop crying in order to be "healed" - I think you have to learn to embrace the love that you will always have for your Morty, and find a way to reconnect with him (by just acknowledging that his spirit remains with you each and every day, talking to him, including him in your daily thoughts, etc. Almost 3 years after Tika's departure, she remains with me on a daily basis... I have never felt her absence. This is a mindset, a belief/perspective- it may not be for all, but it feels perfectly fine to me! Sending you best wishes. www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/

Time will heal for sure, but so will continuing to acknowledge Jery's spirit. The more you include him in your life, thoughts, events, etc... the more you become comfortable with the fact that his physical presence is no longer there...because you are aware that this his spirit is with you forever and always, and this will bring you great comfort.

@@coldinyk agree with you! E will have Jery in his new life as we had him before! His memories will bring a smile where there are tears now, but I know he is with me every single day as I am with him! Thank you for your words!

@@oscarp.6361 That's very comforting, isn't it? Knowing that they are always with us. I'm glad that you have this awareness, as it's difficult for some to grasp.

Yes it is difficult for many to grasp, they are afraid to face their pain; unfortunately we are not taught how to do this in life and I am grateful that it just naturally happened for me. It was a beautiful and very intimate experience, and has taught me so much! My learning journey is not over. Tika has been the greatest teacher! Because of her, I am much more mindful of life and death, accepting of what is, and appreciate all. There is a lesson to be learned in everything!

Thank you. I know she is with me forever and always...in fact, I have never felt her absence since the day she crossed the bridge. (I don't feel I experienced "loss", as her spirit will never die). I wrote about this in her story: www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/

@coldinyk I'm glad to hear that. I hope when my 2 doggies and cat cross that bridge that I can feel thee way you do.but I'm such a cry baby when it comes to that.i cried during your vid but knowing that Tika lived a Beautiful life made me feel better❤️🐕🙏❤️

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, my heart has healed and it has been a beautiful journey I've been on. I am sharing with you Tika's Part 2 story (not sure if you saw it), and it explains how I processed and embraced the grief (which is inseparable from love).... with Tika's spirit accompanying me each and every day. Not one day has passed in the almost 3 years since her departure (May 28 is coming up!) that I felt her absence. We remain connected as always. Please give Heidi some extra loving for me!! www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/

My first gsd has Heidi also, called her Heidi hoho like the hostess snacks. Just a kid growing up with. I'm 53 now, never forget, ain't got much today but her ashes with me, together forever

While I do feel her presence always, I do look forward to that reunion on day!

Thank you. How I see it, we never were separated.... we remain connected forever and always by the very strong bond we have. One day, when it is my time to "graduate" to the higher plane, we will have a different kind of reunion and it will be soooo beautiful! But until then, Tika remains at my side in spirit, and she is everywhere:)

Thank you. She "is" beautiful" :).... Although Tika's body has expired, I've never thought of my baby girl as being in the "past tense" - unless I was referring to past events, etc. Her spirit is ever-present and with me always. (So this is why I say, she "IS" beautiful). It can be a rough journey ahead of you if you don't have the support, time and space that you need. Somehow I found my own way along the most beautiful grief journey (I'm sure Tika had a huge part to play in guiding me along that path, as she continues to do now). I like to share that with others so that they may see there is another way to "move with" this grief. To embrace it. If you haven't already, I encourage you to visit Tika's Part 2 story (Pet Bereavement - Moving Forward with Love and Grief) ... it may help you a little through this very tender journey you are facing... www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/ You will be ok. Siggy loves you. And once that time comes, know that he/she remains right at your side and in your heart. They do not go away. We haven't "lost" them. Your relationship and bond is forever and always.

Thank you Sam. Yes, you know how much i love my girl, and putting these videos together share a bit of her spirit with everyone... I was so lucky to be her Mamma!

Thank you - her spirit remains with me always.... she's a permanent resident of my heart.

❤❤❤

I'm sorry for the late reply; catching up! Each grief journey is very individual and personal. In my opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with talking to Harley and acknowledging her presence. I have done this with Tika since the day she crossed the bridge; her spirit is everywhere. She did not leave me, I did not say goodbye. Instead I learned that our relationship continues, just in a different way. The love and bond we share will never be broken; we will remain connected through that very strong connection. And I'm sure this is how you and Harley are the same. It has been nearly 3 years since Tika's departure (the anniversary is approaching); never once have I felt her absence. Even though I have another dog in my life now (Miss Hiccup: ukposts.info/have/v-deo/bJF-q5iGq6yYsX0.htmlsi=mQjtWTYSO5UGbqw5, Tika is front and centre. Her pictures are everywhere, even at my office, phone screen, computer screen, etc. I have her paw prints, stick, leash, etc, displayed on my fireplace mantle and other mementoes throughout the house and yard. I talk to her, acknowledge her. I celebrate her birthday and at Christmas I bring out her stocking and put treats in it! This is my journey, no one else's. And it's not denial. It is my own belief and knowing that the spirit never dies, the relationship never ends, and Tika remains at my side and in my heart always. I don't know if you've seen Tika's part 2 story, so I'd like to share it with you in case you haven't... it may help you through your own grief journey. It can be a real beautiful experience if you're open to it. www.tawnabrown.com/pet-bereavement-grief/ PS...I spent a lot of time walking dogs at our local shelter, even took some home for a wknd break from time to time! And unbeknownst to me, this is how Hiccup came into my life! (And this was not the plan!).... I also did pet sitting in other countries as part of my vacationing... It was all so therapeutic and beautiful. I hope you will find such opportunities that will help you heal and give you an outlet for sharing your love. I wish you all the best and hope that you will find your own way to reconnect with Harley's spirit:)

They remain with us forever and always, in spirit and love. This brings me much comfort.

Thank you Sabrina. She was/is my world as you know; I'd give her everything. I'll have to continue working hard, with my health and pursuing my passions- and doing it all for her... my inner personal trainer and coach!

Grazie mille my dear friend.

It will be quite the reunion, won't it?! While their spirit remains with us while we are still in the physical world, the day will come when we are fully reunited! Until then, I am comforted with Tika's spirit in my heart each and every day.

That's so nice to hear!

Thank you!