[mattiematt]

They say time heals, well maybe, but it never stops that immediate pull at your heart when you think of them. I have had many pets and several have died by accidents that just shouldn't have happened but they did. I could beat myself up for all those things I thought I could have, should have, done but didn't. I lost my Mattie girl to cancer a year ago. We were told at that time that our other dog, Charlie would not last for more than a few more months. He is 17. Seventeen! I am grateful for every day he is still here. When Mattie died, for the first time ever, I got another puppy within 6 weeks. Everyone told me it was the wrong thing to do. "You need time to heal", "give yourself some time be by yourself for awhile", "your dog just died, you need to wait awhile". But I didn't listen this time. I found Sophie, and never felt guilty for finding her when I did. My adult children told me that nobody could have given Mattie a better life. And you know what, I know they're right. She was everything to me. We went everywhere together as often as I could take her. But now there was that void. Not my fault, certainly not Mattie's. Sophie has even a better life because of all the lessons I learned from Mattie. We here in the yorkietalk community have all learned the same lessons. For the first time, that horrible void that happens when you lose someone close was eased because I found another puppy that I could share my life with again. I know I make her happy and she sure makes me happy. Mattie would have wanted that for me as much as I had always wanted it for Mattiematt. So yes, give yourself some time. Feel the love from all of us to you and your husband for a job well done with Rizzo, nobody made her happier. And you make us proud for taking on a pup from such a bad start. But don't hesitate to offer that same love to whoever is in line to fill your lives again, and soon. The pup will feel the love of Rizzo throughout your home. Don't let any kind of guilt hold you back. Accidents happen, and it's horrible to remember, but let it go, try hard to let it go. Rizzo and her family are in our thoughts. Animals don't need our prayers, they have a free ticket! I do pray for you and your husband though in hopes that you will not carry a heavy burden in your hearts for long. Take care and know that Rizzo is still there with you. I truly believe this to be the truth.