7/7/22 oh how miss you boy. It just doesn't matter how many years pass, I still long to hold you.

7/7/20 It doesn't seem to matter how much time passes. My heart still breaks on this day. We have rescued a new baby named Rusty, a smaller version of Pippin and they seem very happy to have each other. They bring me much joy. I miss you still. The hole in my heart will not heal until we meet again.

4/6/2020 My dearest Ted, today we lost our girl Dahlia. I hope she is able to find you so you can play together like you did when she was puppy. This pain is almost unbearable. 10 years and my heart still aches for you.Take good care of our girl until we get there. I love you.

7/6/2019 9 years and I still miss you like it was yesterday. I love you.

7/7/18 - I can't believe it has been 8 years. I am missing you my friend. I do so hope we will meet again. I am counting on it. They say time heals all wounds, not sure I believe that any more. I have Pip to help me when I am down but this wound has not healed.

7/7/2017 - 7 years today and my heart still wretches when I think about it. I miss you so much my boy.

7/7/2016 - I am missing you today my friend. You were my favorite hello, and my hardest goodbye.

6/17/2015 - Almost 5 years. I still ache when I think of you. I miss you like I lost you yesterday. I do not think the hole in my heart will ever heal though time moves on. I hold tight to the idea that I will see you again someday.

8/28/2014 -Tonight I am missing you my friend. I think of you so often and my arms still ache to hold you. 4 years is an eternity without you. I hope you are OK and have everything you have ever dreamed of. I miss you so much.

10/15/2013- I miss you my friend...

7/4/2013: My sweet Teddy, Three years seems like an eternity without you. I still agonize over the loss of you. Though I do not cry very often any more, the pain is still deep. Our special bond was a once in a lifetime gift I will never forget. I miss you my friend and the hole in my heart aches.

6/10/2013 - Dear Ted, I cant believe it is almost 3 years since you were taken from me. I still think about you almost every day. I have Jack, Pip and Dahlia to love, and they do make me so happy, but they are not you. I don't think I will ever find another furbaby who could be as dear to me as you were. I hope and pray that we will meet again some day and that you will remember me. I love you Ted, Mom

7/8/2010: Ted was a scraggly silly looking dog. He was smart and fun to be around. He was my protector. He was the light of my life and I am still raw with emotion at his loss. We loved each other in a special way that I have never before experienced with a pet. I doubt I will ever experience it again. I will miss him every day until we meet again. Ted was taken from us on July 7, 2010 by a driver who didn't even care enough to stop after he ran into him. I am just thankful that I was able to get to him so he could pass in my arms knowing how much he was loved.

If tears could build a stairway
and memories a lane
I'd walk right up to Heaven
and bring you Home again. (Posted by Lisasif)

7/9/2010: As I am on the Rainbows Bridge website, struggling with the overwhelming grief that I am feeling, my Son and Husband decided that I needed to go for a ride to get away from the house. While in the car, in the back seat crying, I quietly asked Ted or God to please give me a sign so I would know he was safe and happy so I could let go. Of course I thought I was nuts too. 5 Minutes later, I see a cloud formation looking like a dog running, ears up, snout out, Ted loved to run in fast circles around me to play. In awe, wondering if I really was nuts, I kept quiet and told no one. Shortly after, I saw the most beautiful rainbow. Out of nowhere. It was not raining. My faith has been restored and even though I am still crying for him, I am confident that I will see him again. Maybe I am reaching for answers but I can't deny the strength of these coincidences.

Thanks to all who have left messages. I am so happy to hear that there are others who love their pets this much as well. Here is a poem of hope my husband wrote for me:

As I sit here thinking about our little friend,
I wonder if this world is really the end,
If you keep those you love alive in your heart,
Then I believe you are really, never apart,
Ted walks beside you, in spirit and love,
While he watches over you, from his rainbow above,
He awaits you in heaven, so happy and gay,
Knowing you will again be together, some fine sunny day,
He came in my dreams as I slept last night,
And asked me to tell you that he is all right,
He is in a place with never ending sun,
All the food he can eat and with friends to have fun
So try not to be sad, he hates to see you cry,
Because he knows in his heart, this is not goodbye,
Although his time on earth was short, it was full of love together,
So he waits knowing, one day, he will be in your arms, forever.

7/11/10

As I was sitting here crying over my dearest Ted, I received a condolence from another member. She invited me to read her furbaby's page. As I did, I saw this poem. Even though it is about a Doberman, it still made me feel better as I am sure it applied to all animals. I love you my Ted.

I will lend to you for a while, a Doberman pup, God said
For you to love him while he lives and mourn him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three.
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowds life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Dobie back again.
I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done",
For all the joys this Dobe will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we have known, forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve,
The memory of him and his love, will help us while we grieve.
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife
We'll have yet another Doberman and love him all his life.
Author: Unknown

7/12/2010
My dearest Ted, I want you to know that my tears are subsiding as I try to remember all of the wonderful moments we shared. I saw you last night, only for a fleeting moment. I couldn't figure out where you were but you looked OK. I know you miss me too. Jack has taken to sitting on my computer chair in your spot. It feels so good to have that warmth against my back again. I miss you so much that it is almost unbearable but I am trying hard to let go of the pain and remember the good times. I know I will see you again and we will spend eternity together. I love you my precious boy.

7/14/2010
My precious boy, it has been one week today since you left me. I am still beside myself with grief but I do believe that you are in a good place with lots of playmates and everything you need. I see you in the clouds running and playing. I selfishly want you here with me because my arms ache without you in them. The days are getting better though. I can get through most of the day without crying. I am replacing love drop tears with happy thoughts and memories of our time together. I was so lucky to have had you in my life. I love you Ted, never forget that.

7/19/2010
My Ted, Today was a little rough. I thought I was doing better but for some reason, I just kept looking for you today. I am happy to have Jack and Dahlia to love and hold but it isn't the same without your precious kisses. I love you!

7/21/2010
Ted, today is a day of both heartache and joy. I picked up your ashes last night and my heart broke all over again. Words cannot express how heartbroken I feel. I have decided to open my heart to a new furbaby and have started the process of looking for a dog to adopt. I am not sure I am quite ready but figure it will take some time to find the right baby to help us heal and love again. I have decided to find a poodle to honor the poodle in you that I know was so perfectly loving and giving. I miss you so much Ted. I hope you are OK and have made many new friends to keep you busy until we meet again. I love you!

7/27/10
Dear Ted, time is moving so slowly without you here. I still find myself crying every day. I just want to hold you and tell you I love you. I miss you so much I can't stand it. I hope you can hear my prayers and know how I can't wait to be with you again. Baby Dahlia is getting so big and she misses romping around with you. She still looks toward the road every time we go out as if she is waiting for you to come around the fence corner. What I wouldn't give to see your precious face again. I love you.

7/29/10
My Ted, today is a better day. There are so many people on this site who have helped me to understand and believe that I will see you again. I hope you found Gram and made many new friends to play with. Please look for little Tania. She came to the bridge on Monday much in the same way you did. Her Daddy is beside himself with grief as am I. We both wish we had done things differently to keep you safer. Sometimes I think I can hear you bark like you used to do at Dahlia to play. I picture you with your butt in the air anxiously waiting. I may have found a new baby to help fill the void in my heart. I wasn't expecting this to happen this soon. He is a little puffball poodle, 9 weeks old, rescued from a puppy mill. I will have to drive many hours to get him but it will be worth it. I just have to see if the rescue accepts my application. Keep your paws crossed for us. I will always love you Ted.

8/1/10
Darling Ted, today is bittersweet. I am still so raw with emotion from losing you that I don't think the hole in my heart will ever heal. Yesterday, we brought a new baby home. A beautiful apricot toy poodle. I am thrilled to have a poodle since I loved the poodle traits in you. He is a sweetie and gives me little kisses just like you used to. This baby was in need of a good home. He was rescued from a puppy mill. I know you would love him. You were always so gentle when playing with other dogs. The two of you would have been best buds. Dahlia is trying to play with him but she is a little big and still so young she doesn't understand how to be gentle like you did. I love you and miss you Ted. My heart breaks every day for you. I wish you were here with me.

8/2/10
Today something wonderful happened. Jack (my Jack Russell) played with Dahlia My Son's Lab mix puppy). I have never seen Jack actually play with another dog in the 10 years he has been with us. Jack and Ted had a bond and they were constantly together but never really played. I am not sure what is happening but it is good!

8/3/10
Dearest Ted, I am missing you so tonight. My heart is full of tears and my arms ache to hold you. There are so many people at this site who are in such pain. Why does there have to be so much pain. I miss you so much. Our new baby still doesn't have a name. He is a joy and does lift my spirits. You would be such a good big brother to him. I am sad that he won't be able to learn from you. You were such a sensitive and caring companion. I miss our talks. I don't really have anyone else to talk to now. Not like I could talk to you. I love you.

8/8/10
My Ted, It has been 1 month since you left us. I miss you more than words can say. Life seems so still without you here. I have named my new baby Pippin. He is a love bug and you would love him. He is so tiny yet so feisty. I can picture you playing and snuggling with him. I still cry every day. I just can't seem to get past missing you so much. I have a lump in my throat that just won't go away. Some say that true love means letting go. I do truly love you Ted, I just haven't been able to let go yet. I am so sorry if I am causing you pain. I am trying. I love you.

8/9/10
Dear Ted, today was a strange day. I didn't cry much but I still feel so awful inside. I look for you in the clouds every day. I miss you so badly that my arms ache. They fixed the fence today and it broke my heart. It was so final. Like the end. I don't want to forget one minute with you and that is what scares me the most. I love you.

8/14/10
Dearest Ted, today was a better day. Pippin is a great puppy and I am enjoying him very much. There are times when I would prefer that he be a little more quiet but over all, he is a very well behaved pup. Yesterday, I gave him a bath and he actually swam in the bathtub. Sometimes when he looks at me, I see your face just a little. It is soothing to me and I feel that you must have had a hand in bringing him to me. Thank you Ted. I hope you are having fun with your new buds and that you are keeping Gram company until we meet again. I have been read the book Cold Nose, Warm Hearts and it has solidified my belief that we will meet again. My heart still breaks every day. I miss you so much. I love you.

8/17/2010
My dearest Ted, I am not sure why, but I am feeling much better the last few days. I feel like I am finally able to replace most of the tears with happy memories or projects that I have involved myself in to honor you. I have been trying to help others on this site because I know I couldn't have made it through losing you without the compassionate people who helped me through the first weeks of grief. I am also making dog blankets to donate to rescues and to French Creek Animal Hospital. You have sent me so many signs and I am eternally grateful to you for all you did for me in life and for all you still do for me. If you could, would you ask Sammy to send a sign to his family. They are really struggling and need to know that he is OK. I want you to have fun with the other babies and do not worry about me. I will be OK. I can feel that now. Pippin, Dahlia and Jack have all been so good and Jack even played with Dahlia again. It seems like a miracle. I am confident that you had a hand in it. Thank you. I love you Ted.

9/2/10
Dear Ted, Seems like my writing is getting less and less. My heart is healing and I am getting back to a regular routine. It is not the same without you and I am still very lonely even though I have Jack, Dahlia and Pippin. They lift my heart up when it is down though. I feel like I see you in some way almost every day. A look in Pip's eye, Dahlia tearing around the yard, a cloud formation, a butterfly, and so many other ways. I thank you with all my heart for taking the time to let me know you are OK. I will be OK. I will wait patiently until the day we meet again. I love you.

9/10/10
Dear Ted, I am missing you again today. Seems this week has been a little harder though Pip has brought much joy. I long to hold you and to have you sit in your spot on the chair behind me. Dahlia has taken to sitting on top of the couch in your spot. At first I didn't like it but then I figured you must have told her it was OK. Or maybe it is her way of being close to you. She misses you. We found out today that Andrew does not have Cancer. It is such a relief, I was so afraid that God was preparing me to take a child by taking you. He is still pretty sick with an unidentified infection but they are working on it and things look promising. We had a hummingbird in the garage today. I thought of you fondly. I love you Ted. Please don't forget me.

9/16/2010
My Ted, I am missing you today. I am lost in my grief and long to hold you again. Pippin has been a big part of my healing but I find myself worrying about losing him. I miss you so and want to touch you. I do feel you around me though and I am thankful for that. Your ashes are next to my desk so I can feel close to you. Ted, you have a special place in my heart. I love you.

9/25/2010
Dearest Ted, I am finding myself better these last couple of days though I still have moments of deep sorrow. Especially at night when I do not have your loving eyes looking at me and your wamr, soft, cuddly body snuggling up to me. I do find though that I can think about you with joy in my heart and am able to help others who are still in intense pain. I am so thankful for this website and I intend to keep posting to help others to repay the kindness that was shown to me. I passed my comprehensive exams though I cannot for the life of me figure out how I did it. Were you shining thru the clouds to spur me on? We spent so many nights together on my chair at the computer, me typing, you snuggled up against my back. I hate that you are not here. Life will never be the same without you. I will learn to love others and will continue as I have to but I will miss you always.

10/1/2010
My love Ted, I miss you my boy but I am OK. Please ask Tuffy to send some signs to his grieving Mom. She is beside herself with grief and needs all the help she can get. This is such a hard road to follow. The pain and sorrow are overwhelming at times. I hope you are OK and know that my heart still aches for you. I love you.

10/6/2010
My dearest Ted, Tomorrow will be 3 months since you went to the Bridge. I still ache to hold you and am so sorry that I did not keep you safe. New baby Pippin has brought me much joy but none that takes the emptiness of losing you away. You were such a special boy and I know that you loved me just as much. Thank you for bringing Pip to me. He has plugged the hole in my heart. I will miss you forever. Until we meet again. I love you.

10/23/2010
I am missing you today my dear Ted. Things have been going well and the hole in my heart is slowly healing. I am sick today and not feeling well makes it harder to be strong.

10/31/2010
Dear Ted, This weekend I went to Montreal and missed you so much. I don't know why this pain has suddenly recurred but my heart is heavy and aches to hold you. Perhaps its the change in the weather. You were always there to keep me warm and snuggle like a rag doll. I miss your tenderness. Pip is well and loves me. He squealed with delight when he saw me today but he is not you. The thought of having to wait so many years to see you again is painful. But I know that I have to wait until it is my turn to come to you. I love you and miss you my dearest baby. I am sorry if I am letting you down by being sad.

12/1/10

WOW, I can't believe that it has been a month since I last wrote. Dearest Ted, I have had my ups and downs but for the most part I am doing OK. Pip and Dahlia are doing great and Jack has even started playing with Dahlia. I know you mus have had a hand in that! I will miss you so much this holiday season. I miss you every day.

12/25/2010

Dearest Ted, It is so very difficult to celebrate the holidays without you. I am making it through and having a pretty happy holiday but still miss you terribly. Precious baby Pippin has plugged the gaping wound in my heart and has attempted to weedle his way into my heart as you so deftly accomplished. I do love him and he is bringing me much joy this holiday season. He is starting to snuggle and the warmth of his body against mine brings back such happy memories of you and I. You were the best snuggler of all the animals I have ever known. You had a way of making me feel loved and safe. While Pip is only 7 pounds and I don't think he could save me from much, he is saving my heart from breaking in two and helping me to realize that I can love another without forgetting you. I love you and miss you Ted but I am OK. Know that and enjoy your time at the Bridge until we meet again.

6/10/2011
My dearest Ted, It has been along while since I have written. I think of you every day and I hope that you can hear me when I speak to you. My heart still aches and as the 1 year anniversary of that horrible night approaches, I find myself sinking into a place of incredible, overwhelming sadness again. Baby Pip is giving me lots of love though and he will help me get through. I know I am being selfish and I truly hope that my attitude does not upset you. I know you would not want me to be sad. I will keep busy and try to remember the wonderful time we spent together and consider myself blessed that we were able share the time we had. Just remember that I love you very much. I hope you are having fun romping with all of the other lost babies. Jack and Dahlia are well too and I am sure they both miss you. Jackie seems to have aged a lot in the last year but he is healthy and I am thankful for that. Dallie and Pip are the best of friends even though D is so much bigger than Pip. They romp and play and I truly enjoy spending time watching them have so much fun with each other. I still look for you in the clouds and sometimes I truly beleive I see you. I love you Ted, please never forget me.

7/7/2011
Dearest Ted, I cannot believe it has been a year since I was able to hold you in my arms and tell you I love you. Words cannot express the depth of my sorrow. While I am doing well, my arms still ache for you and the tears are just one thought away. I know that I have to continue my life until it is time for us to meet again so I am trying my hardest to remember you with kindness to Jack, Pip and Dahlia and all the other furbabies that cross my path. We finished the dog park last weekend and it is bittersweet but wonderful. The dogs love to be able to run and play but I can't help thinking of you and how one simple act could have saved your life. I am sorry that I did not protect you and I am truly hoping that the Bridge is a wonderful place and that you are happy and healthy there. I will try my hardest today to get through the day without too many tears. I know you would not want me to be so sad. I love you more than words can express my dearest Ted. Mom

12/25/2011
My beloved Ted, I have not forgotten you. Life has gotten in the way of my posting regularly but I think about you every day. Oh, how I wish I could touch you and hold you. But I know you are OK and I am doing OK too. Little Pippin brings me joy and I am happy to have his special love. Their are so many people here, suffering as I did at the loss of their babies. Please ask them to send a sign so their families know they are OK. Merry Christmas my Ted, I love you and miss you terribly. Mom

1/26/2012
Hello Teddy Dear! I was thinking about you last night and I still feel such overwhelming sadness that I cannot hold you and tell you I love you. I am thankful that the sadness is not on the surface at all times and mostly I smile when I have such memories of our short time together. I just can't seem to understand why. I still see you in the clouds so I know you are OK. Thank you for that Ted. It gets me through the bad days. I love you. Mom

7/6/2012
I cannot believe that it has been 2 years since you went to the bridge. I still think about you every day. I have not stopped missing you but I am not sad and crying all the time. When my heart is aching for you, I still look to the clouds and swear I see you. Jack and Pippin are enjoying the play yard we built in your honor. You would have really loved it too. I try to spend as much quality time with them as I know how short our time together could be. I am feeling very sad tonight but I know that you are OK at the bridge. I long for the day when I will be able to hold you in my arms again. I love you. Mom

4/12/2013
Dearest Ted, I still miss you every day. The wound is not raw but still aches. I wish I could hold you and wisper in your ear to let you know how much you are loved. Mom