What Do I Do? LeiLani Passed Monday, Do I get a 5 Yr old Girl or Baby Boy?
 

I need advise before Sunday! Please, anyone who can help me with making a decision... I would appreciate it. Here is my Yorkie Story that ended before it started.

For some reason I kept attracting Breeder's who cared about making a buck, instead of the welfare of the wonderful Yorkie Breed.
So a took two steps back or should I say three! And I started to research Yorkies and why Breeders wanted to breed them. This is how I met one of the most wonderful people I've ever known. Who I want in my life forever.

She is a Show Breeder and I got on her waiting list for a girl. Finally the time came when she was going to breed one of top bitches. Then we had to wait to see if it took. Yeah, she was pregnant! So, 63 days later Bayley gave birth to 4 babies (3 boys & 1 girl) and the girl was very small compared to any other dogs. I guess I didn't understand how small she was and how bad this was! She was 3.9oz and her brother were more the twice her size.
We finally started getting close to the 6 week mark, when I would be able to make the long drive and come and see her for the first time. This is when things started to go very wrong!
It all happened last Friday night when Breeder called and said she needed to take LeiLani to the Vets Office first thing Saturday Morning. The Vet advised her to take her to see a Neurologist and test her for Hypocephalus (water on the Brain). She scheduled the first available visit which wasn't until Wednesday.

Well, before the weekend even ended... LeiLani had stopped eating and drinking. She was taken back to the Vet on Monday and the Vet informed her that LeiLani had taken a turn for the worse and that she was not going to recover from it. She was just to small to fight. She had nothing to fight with. She is sooo small!
So on May 19th she lot her short little life and I lost my heart. :unlove:

She was the only girl in the litter and I waited 1-1/2 years for her. Three Words! I AM DEVASTATED!

So after a week of crying and not sleeping... I emailed my Breeder to ask what my options were. Well, we have two or three...

One... She had just brought another one of her Bitches (Bayley) back from Southern California were she was Bred. So, now we are waiting to see if she is pregnant. If she is... then we "hope" she will have a girl. Delivery is roughly around July 7th and then the babies will be ready 12 weeks later (Sept 29th) OMG that is a long time to wait... again!

Two... She has 1 boy left from LeiLani's litter that are going to be ready June 25... every time I think about getting a boy, I cry... and cry:cry:... I don't know why this is so upsetting to me. I want a girl sooo bad! I have about $400-$500 worth of girl stuff waiting at my house.

Three... My Breeder bought a female (Lola) who is now 5 years old. She came from Georgina @ Sapphire Yorkies in Northern California (she's on YTCA). She started to show her and she collected 5-6 points on for her Champion title.
Well, short story.. her son fell sick and passed away and she mover "All" of her dogs to different Show friends homes to help her. The person who took Lola had problems Showing her. Lola was home sick and would only show for her original mom. So Lola came home and more problems happened. My Breeders "Grandma Dog" and Lola started to fight for the "Top Dog Spot" in the house. So Lola went to live with my Breeders Daughter were she was the only dog but the Daughter is in Medical School and she is always gone.

So my Breeder offered Lola to me and I'm really confused now! I want a puppy... but she died, She has a puppy... but it's a boy, and Lola is a "perfect top dog" but she is not a puppy she is aleady 5 years old.
Every time I try to type out a list of Pros & Cons I just cry.

What do I do... I'm driving up to the Breeders Sunday Morning to look at both Lola and LeiLani brother. Or do I wait for another 4-1/2 months for a girl, and what if she doesn't have any girls.

I'm so confused! Does anyone have any "Great Advise for me" I need it!

Oh hon, what a touigh decision. I don't know what to say. If it was ME, I would wait for the little girl baby you want. I have no doubt you would love a little boy just as much, but if you had your heart set on a girl, I would wait. I am sad for the 5 year old, but you have to remember that you would be missing and important time in her life. I don't know.. I just think if it were me I would wait.

If you having to get a boy upsets you so much you obviously you really need to get a girl. I went through the pros and cons of getting a puppy vs an adult. One the puppy is raised where you can help develope some of its habits and training. An adult has already been potty trained (if its the right one) they should be used to a harness and leash (remember I'm not talking in terms of rescue) they seem to take new situations a little better then pups. A puppy is usually easier to train. But in the end its what you feel. If you don't automatically fall in love with the adult wait a little while. I know 4 1/2 months seem so far away but it really isn't. Just trust your heart. Right now it hurts but it will lead you in the right path. Obviously that sweet little pup wasn't meant for you but maybe she was meant to lead you your rightful companion!

I am so sorry for you!
 

I think you need time to grieve so maybe that 4 1/2 month wait would be the best choice! But there may be no girls, there may not even be any pups. So my advice is wait but don't build your hopes again, awful things happen, you need to be patient and you will find your perfect girl! Good luck!!!

It all depends on the little girls personality if she is well rounded if everything apart from the dominance issues ie house trained ,well socialised etc well you have an instant little girl but if it's a puppy you want go for the boy or wait for a baby girl.

When I got Alfie I wanted a girl so badly ,I even had some things in pink things!!! But when I went to see the puppies Alfie just melted my heart and I was sold hook line and sinker.....:D
So if you are going up anyway let the doggie chose you but be careful, dont take any of them if you are not ready. As the little girl seems to have been run around a lot and it would not be fair to take her if you dont instantly want her, and the little boy deserves to be loved and kept forever.:)

I think you just need to do some soul searching as to what's best for you!

We planned on getting another female puppy this year as a playmate for Wrigley who is almost two. ( Crosley is 6 1/2 and would just rather sleep :rolleyes: )
Anyway, when Yorkieshadow posted on YT about a two year old girl that a breeder was selling, we decided to check her out and we ended up adopting her! On the way there I was kind of sad at the thought we wouldn't have a puppy, but a month later and I don't have those thoughts anymore! We love her like crazy!
I would suggest going there and checking out the male and the adult female and see how you connect and interact with them, that should give you the answer!
Good luck!:)

First, let me say that my heart goes out to you. There is just something so special about Yorkies that you do actually fall in love with the very idea of owning one. Once you know that a baby is waiting for you, you fall in love with the puppy before you ever even see it.

I am so sorry for your loss.

As for your the confusion you are experiencing...

i realize that you have found a breeder whom you greatly respect and trust. It is understandable that you want to get your baby from someone with these all important qualities. I would, however, consider the possibility of asking your breeder (friend) if she might be willing to refer you to another breeder that she knows and also trusts. If she is a very reputable breeder chances are that she knows of other equally as trustworthy breeders. I am sure she feels great compassion, as well , great appreciation for your loyal patience. This is simething you might think about.

As for your strong desire for a little girl...I also used to feel exactly like yourself. Throughout my entire life I have always owned female dogs. I simply never even considered owning a male. Well...that was until I owned my first Yorkie!

I came to being "Armani's" mom as a matter of "CIRCUMSTANCES." My daughter had bought this absolutely adorable tiny Yorkie. She had taken a long time finding just the right one. He was extrememy tiny. He was 14 wks when she brought him home. He weighed under a pound. He was cheeky, playful, loving and oh so brave. Still, I thought to myself that I would have gotten a female, ( I could not have given any explicite reason for this). After only one week of being around this delightful little spitit, and being constantly made to laugh and smile at this this "little man's" adorable personality, I must have fallen deeply in love with him. I guess I didn't realize just how very attached I had become (remember he belonged to my daughter), until the second week that he lived with us.

My daughter worked and "Armani" was home with me. I noticed that he seemed listless. He didn'[t want to eat. At the time I knew nothing of Hypoglycemia. After sitting with him for approx 1 hour, I became extremely frightened . I knew in my heart that this puppy was in danger. It was evening so I rushed hin to the emergency vet. My daughter met me there. They took little "Armani" in, not letting us go back with him. The minute he was out of my sight, I completely went to pieces. The vet came out to say he was very sick. His blood sugar had dropped dramatically. I sobbed. I could not picture going home and living another day without that happy faced little soul. They told us we should go home, they would keep us informed. My daughter left. I could not go home. I could not go into the house without him. I stayed for 4 more hours, Each hour the vet would give me a report. By the fourth hour the vet told me that he had come around very well. He was going to be fine.

I cried so hard from happiness and thanked Jesus out loud, over and over. The office girls said" "Wow"!, "You really love that little guy"! I then realized just how much I adored him. Once home he was back to his bouncy, happy, loving self.

Even with the best of care, and my paying attention to every detail I had learned, "Armani" experienced 3 more episodes like the first one. I had learned a great deal and I sat up with him, and attended to him minute by minute. Thank God, he came through each time. After he reached 6 months he never again had an episode of hypoglycemia.

Throughout this six months, I guess my daughter had been observing this great bond which had developed between this precious little boy Yorkie and myself. She came to me one day and told me that she had put a deposit on a little female Pom puppy. When I looked at her with question she said "Mom" , I believe that God decided who was going to be "Armani"s mommy before I even bought him." "I was only meant to be the one to bring him home to you, because we both know that if you had been the one out looking for a puppy...you would have bought the wrong one...A Female"!

I hugged her, then she started telling me about her new baby girl.

Ya know..I couldn't help thinking..."If it were me..I would have gotten a BOY!!

Have great faith that God feels and understands the pain and confusion you are now experiencing. Allow yourself to be comforted with this knowledge.Then believe this truth...We will always hunger for the reasons why...God knows us better than we know ourselves, only He knows Why, however, if you are willing to "LET GO and LET HIM, you will immediately realize that you don't have to make any decision at all right now. Keeping your heart and mind open..to being led by these circumstances..go to see, whenever an opportunity is presented to you...KNOWING that He is leading you right to the special Yorkie that He has intended for you. At the moment this occurs, you will not feel confused or the need to decide...You Will Know!

You have so much to look forward to!!!!

God Bless

I would give serious consideration to the boy. I LOVE male dogs. My boys are all mommy's boys, and although they are outgoing with others there is no question who is their #1 person. My girls are sweet too, but with the exception of one of them (from my first litter) they are a little fickle.
That you found a good, reputable and honest breeder is key. I'd not base my decision on gender. Breeders like her are not a dime a dozen and if she has a suitable, loveable boy puppy I'd take back the pink stuff and start shopping all over again. Really, the accessories are not important compared to having a healthy, socialized puppy who just happens to be a boy instead of a girl.

If you like the boy puppy, don't let his gender scare you off. He will be a wonderful, loyal best friend to you.

:thumbup::thumbup: Well said!

boy puppy
 

I agree with Wildcard. Male puppies are SO different (from my experience) than girl puppies. My male, Deucy is SO loving and caring, intuitive as to my mood, a mama's boy for SURE and full of endless devotion. My female was not the same. I fell in love with Deucy when I first saw him as a baby. We love eachother, go everywhere together, eat together and sleep together. He is my protector, my VERY BEST friend and SO SMART. He knows so many words now. I just can't explain the love he has for me and I for him. We are inseparable till death. He will be 3 in September. He cared for the babies as a daddy CONSTANTLY. HE never left them as the mother did so often. He treats me the same way. He takes care of me and I spare no expense in taking care of him. We're the perfect team and I always have a smile on my face because of him. SOOOO precious!!

On another note: I'm thinking of getting a maltese baby girl. Went and looked at her and just LOVE her already. She's just a baby now but, sometimes I think Deucy would like to have a playmate his size. I'm also thinking about MAYBE breeding them ONCE before I have her spayed to have ONE litter of morkies. The little morkies are SO CUTE and smart!! I'll decide this weekend whether to buy her or not. I KNOW Deucy would mother her and take care of her while she is growing up. He would absolutely LOVE to care for a baby again and she could grow up to be his lifelong playmate.

Well, I guess I'll add my two cents here. First off, I am so sorry for your loss and I can understand how upset and disappointed you are. I'm thinking maybe you need some time to kind of recover from that so maybe it's ok to wait for another litter but then I guess you have no guarantees there. If you have your heart set on a female then you might be disappointed with a male and there is something to be said for getting a puppy and watching them grow up as opposed to an adult dog. I'm sure you could love them all but if you want the whole experience, I would say either wait or find another breeder who already has a baby girl. But really, the ultimate decision is yours. I wish you luck and whatever you decide, can't wait to see photos of your baby!:p

Oh dear, :( I am so sorry about your very sad and devastaing situation. I looked back at your threads and instantly remembered you in seeing the picture of all of the things you had already purchased for LeiLani. She was truely a part of your life even before she was born. I as so sorry for your loss.
As for your decision: If a yorkie girl is what you've always dreamed of owning, then wait and find her. She will come along. If the uncertainty of the possible pregnancy and IF a girl will be in the litter is to much for you, then I agree with leipshen's post I would bet that your breeder would be more than willing to help you in that way.
Owning a little girl was obviously your first choice, but little boys are just as cute and just as fun. There are plenty of cute clothes for boys too and the items you bought I assume can be exchanged.
From the title of your thread (What Do I Do? LeiLani Passed Monday, Do I get a 5 Yr old Girl or Baby Boy?), it seems maybe you've subconciously started to make your decision???? I just noticed there was no reference about waiting for another little girl.
Go to your breeder on Sunday; when you see the 5 year old girl and the boy puppy, your heart will guide you. You will just know if either of those two is the yorkie for you. I wish you strength and happiness in the decision you will make. Let us know how it turns out. I will be anxious to see your new family member whomever she (or he) will be.

I am sorry you lost that little girl ! I have thought of another possibility, you know what they say about yorkies ...that you just cant have just one ??? What about maybe getting the little boy and then wait to see if momma has a girl and getting a little playmate for the little boy ???
When i was looking for another i wanted another girl, but so many times did i hear that sometimes 2 females fight for top dog, my Breeder talked me into a boy , and i have to say , i have never ever regreded it. Trust me my little girl is my everything,and the bond we have is unshakable but she has her own mind, def. female,but the male is my shadow, so sweet and i cant go anywhere without him, i cant even go the bathroom without him.... anyway just a thought you might consider !

Very tough.

I do love both girls and boys, I have 1 of each and I got them when they were 4 and 6 months old.

Honestly, I do not think I would get a puppy again. They sure are cute, but it was a lot of work, and to be honest, now that they are older (3.5 yrs.) this has been the BEST time.

They aren't 'puppy crazy' anymore, they listen VERY well, they are behaved and content.

I think you need to go and see for yourself how the 5 yr girl is, you may suprise yourself and fall instantly IN LOVE with her :p

Don't worry about the things you have bought, you can always sell them online here! Many people do that and people always buy them if you can't return them. When I went to get my first yorkie, I didn't even think if I wanted a boy or girl. I went to pick which puppy I fell in love with and then looked to see if they were a boy or girl. I love him so much! Maybe God doesn't have it planned that you had a baby girl, maybe that sweet little boy that is left was meant to be yours. Have you ever thought of that. Sometimes it's not about what we have planned for ourselves, but what was meant to be. Gender should not effect your love for anyone or any yorkie. If you had a child and you thought the whole time you were pregnant that you were having a girl and went and bought girl things, but then you delivered a boy, would you hesitate in taking the things back and being happy about having a boy? I don't think so. I think you would be so proud and happy that you'd just welcome him in to your family. Yorkies are very much like babies. You will love him no matter what the gender. You are so lucky that there is the brother of your much loved girl left. Most good breeders wouldn't have any left! Maybe it was fate and he was meant to be yours the whole time. Go look at him, hold him and see.

I am SO sorry Diana... I know you and I have chatted a lot lately about the toys ect. you liked of Roxi's to get for your LeiLani... I have been in tears about this, I have been preoccupied the last few days, and not been on much... I can't even begin to fathom how you must be feeling...

My story on the gender topic.... Long story short, I wanted a BOY absolutely, no questions asked, for over three years I waited.. A BOY. When we went down to look there was two boys and one girl. We came home with Roxi!!! I came home with a girl!!!
My point is, I think these babies pick you, you don't pick them. They are one of a kind, and I believe there is no other dog like them..
I'm so truly sorry for your loss.
Good luck & please keep us posted.... x

First let me say this post was very sweet!...
 

Ok....now...

I was kinda right where you are.....wont go into details, but had several big dissappointments during my 2.5 search.....and believe me......I cried too....

But, just when I was losing heart, a friend called me about a little puppy.....although it was a girl. she was up for adoption because of a "timing" thing......and a friend of a friend heard about me and I was given the opportunity to adopt....FINALLY! It was kinda weird how things just fell into place......but a real rough haul getting there......I think all the people are the shows just thought I was some "stalker" or something......I never even had a Yorkie! and I was at every show......but, you know what.....I am of the belief that you will know when it is right......

Go see both of the Yorkies.....let your heart be open to the little girl too....she deserves you too, and let her have a chance just like a little puppy would.....think of it like a human adoption.....those little kids need someone to love just like the babies do....:)

I have been considering a little boy here lately, because my girl just tolerates me....she loves my husband! So, if that means anything,......I need a "boyfriend" too.....LOL So, who knows.....maybe the right Yorkie will pick you next week, instead of you picking the Yorkie....:)

I totally understand the waiting thing....you get to the point that you are done with waiting......at least I was.......

I say go for it with the Girl.....you will want another yorkie before you know it.....I DO!!!

WOW!!! Im so sorry for your loss!! I KNOW its HARD to wait!! from EVERYTHING I have heard here... I think that you wouldnt regret getting a little boy! but... with that being said... I think that you soooooooooooooooo want a girl... that was me... I wanted a baby girl to dress up and just because I thought girls where better... lol or at least easier... Gracie she is a BRAT! lol she NEVER wants to cuddle with me unless its at bed time... and she is VERY independent! which is not a bad thing! I just wanted a baby that wanted to cuddle with me ALL the time... as far as the puppy vs. the 5 year old dog... I agree with everyone on here... where you just have to let the puppy or dog choose you! but good luck with WHAT EVER you decide...

Aww, Diana! Everyone has such good advice here! I know how you must feel having bought so much stuff for a girl (I was so impressed that you were so organized, LOL...of course, we bought Max when the opportunity presented itself and didnt' really have time to plan, but still.....we had to go to the pet store to buy him his first toy the day we brought him home!). I bet that you could return at least part of it, even if it's just for store credit (b/c if you got a boy, you'll still need all of it for him too), or like someone else said, it's brand new and you could definitely sell it here!

I got Max and always wanted to get a little girl friend for him, but the timing was just never right to get another puppy, and we went back and forth about was it "fair" to Max after being the only "child" for 3 yrs.....and then Madison appeared. He's 2 yrs old, obviously NOT a girl, but I can tell you that it would be hard to find sweeter, more loving dogs than these two little boys:D. Max was from a litter of 3 and the only male; one of his sisters is extremely shy and sort of introverted (but she ADORES her mommy!!!), and the other one is just like Max; a little character. They're all so different with their personalities that it's hard to say. I think I would just say not to rule out a boy just for being a boy.....from what I've read here, it sounds like the boys are on the whole, a little sweeter disposition. When I raised birds, I can say for sure that the males were almost always much sweeter and even tempered than the females.

On the other hand, before I ever got my first bird, I wanted a cockatoo so badly and I couldn't afford to just go out and buy one when I finally had decided on what I wanted, so I kept going to an exotic bird store, looking at the smaller (cheaper) birds, thinking I'd just get SOMETHING that was feathered. But the store's owner told me "Don't just get any bird just b/c you want to have a bird. Wait until you can get what you really want, b/c you'll never be really happy until you do".....I followed his advice and the opportunity arose for me to buy my first cockatoo.......I was SO glad that I waited b/c I got exactly what I wanted and felt like I'd died and gone to heaven. Later on I got smaller birds, and loved them too, but it's only b/c I got what I really wanted from the beginning. So, I think you need to go see the dogs in question and see if either of them make you feel that way. Good luck to you sweetie; you'll make a great Yorkie mom!

Thank You For Helping Me, My YT Family!
 

I was able to read all the messages but I'm not able to reply at this time. Just know that I appreciated every single one of them and when I return today I wanted to talk with some of you. It gives me something to think about and talk about over breakfast.
Thanks my Yorkie Family
Diana

I would strongly tell you to wait and get a little girl, as that is what you really want. You should not settle for something because you are so sad about the other little one. They cost a lot of money, plus lots of vet bills through their life and you should get what you want. There are other breeders, and personally after what I went through, I would try to find a dog from just a family home that decided to have a litter. That's what I did, and this dog is so much healthier than Snoodles was. Her legs are nice and straight, not bent with knee decease, ect. You don't want a pup from a dog that has been over-bred.
Anyway, that is my advice.
Pat

My thoughts after reading all of your wonderful messages.
 

My thoughts after reading all of your wonderful messages I just sure hope I have the same feelings later this afternoon. I'm so clueless right now, funny because I never feel like this.

I think that if a get a boy (puppy) then I might not be happy since I have always wanted a girl... You see I'm 39 and went into early :2omg: menopause. I had been trying to conceive since I was in my early 20's. Then when I didn't... and I knew it was never going to happen... I finally gave my kitty... the baby name that I saved for so many years... Sophia Marie. That's were I got my screen name, Diana (me) Sophia (cat).

So, when I learned about the wonderful Breed of Yorkies... the first thing that came to mind, was that little (human) baby that I didn't get to have. But, If I had a Yorkie... then I could bath her, brush her, topknots, dress her, show off to my friends and family, and most of all... love her to death. No different then a human baby... well, beside the fact that she would have 4 legs and a tail... but who's looking at the small stuff.

So my Breeder told me that if I wanted she would let me bring Lola home while I wait on Roxi to deliver. That is if she is even pregnant. I can't believe she will let me love on Lola, while I wait. Lola is a very... very... expensive dog and I would be very scared if anything happened while she was here. She is a dog that I would never be able to afford myself and my Breeder is offering her to come and stay with me while I wait on Roxi's babies.

Since my Breeder lives by the YTCA standards she is only able to have some many litters within so many years. This is what I love about YTCA. It breaks my heart when any animal is over-bred and so this is why I went to her.
I wish I could keep both of them but I'm in a 1-bedroom Condo (upstairs) and I have 2 in-door cats (Jasper & Sophia Marie) and a African Grey Parrot named Yogi, who's 20 years old. I don't think that we would have room for 2 dogs with my husband and I living here too. Unless?? My husband moves! (hehehe) I don't think he would be very happy. I can't believe I even thought :rolleyes: about this.

A lot of you are very right... if I make a choice on a dog, just because I'm sad, then I will not end up being happy with my decision later. I waited for a 1-1/2 years... what's a couple more months to get what I want. I've always said, "that I have a lot of patience's" but, it seams to have gone right out the window... when I lost LeiLani. I'm working on trying to get my patience back.

Diana, Just my 2cents worth here,

When you visit, I think your natural instincts will tell you what to do. Your mind is working on all the information you have and input from everyone, but in the end it will be your gut instinct that will guide you. We can't always control our feelings, and you should let yours tell you the way to your own happiness. Best wishes.

Good Night... And Thank you!
 

Wow, I was so surprised be all the helpful and thoughtful messages... My YT Family really came to the table in a time of need and I will always be grateful to all of you. It was your messages that kept me thinking clearly.

I will check in tomorrow night after I return from my Breeders Home. "Shh!" :secret: I packed a "Just in case kennel" with toys, lease and a bed inside. You never know what your heart :love: will say and I wanted to make sure I was ready for it. Thank you and much (((hugs))) to everybody that gave there help and advise. Talk soon Diana

It's always a good idea to have the kennel ready just in case! Just listen to your heart! Can't wait to see what you decide!

Wow, what a great post!

WOW! For one, that was an awfully early menopause. So sorry you can't have children, that is really a bummer! My heart goes out to you.
What did you decide? I know how you feel, I lost SNoodles on a monday, and said I didn't want another dog --couldn't go through the pain--and then, I found a 5 week little girl on Thursday. So, I jumped in also, because I couldn't stand not having one to greet me and cuddle and love! The vet was a little surprised, to say the least, as when he put down Snoodles I told him I was not going to have another dog! Ha1
I also have birds---A Blue Crown Conure--and a Green Cheek Conure. k The BCC. talks a nd sings up a storm as I am sure your African Grey does. So, we have a lot in common, don't we?
I'm not sure I would want to take in another dog until another one was born and welped. It's not a committment, and I am not sure it is even good for the dog. But, that is my opinion.
Anyway, please let us know what you decide!
Pat

I read through all of the posts here ...and I must say...I am sure happy to have found YT!

From the day I signed up, I have felt like I know have so many wonderful friends, caring people, and we ALL love Yorkies!!!

I feel blessed!

Diana...This is only a thought and I really would appreciate others opinions on this too.

Do you think that maybe taking the older female home, waiting for your new baby, might be kind of sad and confusing for her? She be all happy, thinking she has a new mom, and a new home, she will be attached to you and then...back she goes? I do not want to be negative at this difficult time...this is not my intention, however, this is the first thought and feeling that came to me when I read that the breeder was willing to let you do this??

Just a thought...and a feeling

Only you can make this decision, and like others have said...Let your heart guide you. I would not make a decision based on gender because little boys are truly loving and wonderful as well. You might just fall in love with him.
I'm so sorry for your loss....