[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

I have a question for you all....

When Natalie's ashes came back to me, so did the little teddy bear box and her pink blanket.... Gracie was being a little nosey but I didn't think much about it as I was having a bit of a breakdown myself at that moment...

The box sits on my desk near me.... as do her ashes, right now... Gracie comes up, sniffs around from time to time - and I've even had to open the box to show her that Natalie is not in there, because, last Gracie saw her... she was....

Once I appease her with that, she runs off to play...

This afternoon, I came across Nat's PJ's that she was wearing the night she passed.... (I actually found them behind the couch... I was so crazed that night trying to get her to breathe, I just tore them off of her and flung them... hadn't thought about them since...) - - -

Anyway, the SECOND I pulled them out, Gracie went HYSTERICAL!!! Jumping at my feet, whimpering, whining - sniffing like she'd just found an entire barrel of her favorite treats!!

I'm certain she smells her sister..... she's been clawing at my legs, trying to pull the PJ's away from me and barking like a wild woman for 45 minutes now.... It brings me to tears, yet again, to see Gracie so upset.

I put the PJ's down for her for a minute and she plopped right down on top of them.... sniffing and "nesting".... but seemingly, comforted.... then she drug them off and "buried" them in her snuggle sack....

My question is....................... do I let her keep them for a while??? Even though she's being VERY protective of them and seems to be "guarding" them from the other dogs coming near....

I don't want to stress her out more.......

Or.... should I put them away? I know she'll rant and rave for a little bit, but I also know that dogs live "in the moment"... and I wonder if she'll be more calm if I put them away and go on with her normal playful day....

"Out of sight, out of mind", so to speak....

What do you think?

Awww, that's a tough one. I guess the big question is, does she seemed to be more comforted or agitated by the pj's? If it's causing agitation than comfort, I'd suggest removing them, and perhaps laundering them. Poor baby doesn't understand.