My Natalie Is With The Angels....

[laurenr]

Dena,
I thought of you last night, after getting home really late. I knew that yesterday you were picking up Nat's ashes and that it was exactly one week since that precious Angel's passing. I was trying to think of a way for you to keep them, if you don't want to scatter them. In California, we have these little "do-it-yourself" Pottery/Ceramic places. One selects a unadorned object, say in this case an Urn. You then decorate/paint the exterior surface with whatever you want and then bake it in the on-site ovens. You could make the exterior adornment personal to you and your precious baby.... perhaps a poem, a beautiful picture of her.... you're so wonderful with words Dena. Once it's finished, inside you could place her remains, maybe a copy of that beautiful video tribute you made, a special toy, like her LammieDoodle, anything that is meaningful to you and her. You would then have something tangible to remind you of and commemorate your baby.
Here is a link to a studio called "Color Me Mine":
http://www.colormemine.com/HowTo.tpl
It describes the various steps to creating your own personal ceramic. Perhaps you could find a similar facility in your area.

Just an idea for you to mull. Dena, I want you to know how often I think of you. I hope each day continues to get easier. Just keep reminding yourself, the wonderful quality of life you managed to give Natalie in the short time she has here on earth. Hold onto the memory of all the love and care you showered her with. And hold on too, to little Gracie.... she too has such a special purpose - she was the perfect playmate for Natalie, and now she is a comfort to you, she cannot fill the void, but she lessens its dimensions.
Hugs to you my dear friend,
Lauren

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Thank you Lauren, that would indeed be a precious way to preserve our memories.... unfortunately, I'm not much of an artist, so I'd have to look into attaching a photograph or something..... very sweet though...

Originally Posted by laurenr

Dena,
I thought of you last night, after getting home really late. I knew that yesterday you were picking up Nat's ashes and that it was exactly one week since that precious Angel's passing. I was trying to think of a way for you to keep them, if you don't want to scatter them. In California, we have these little "do-it-yourself" Pottery/Ceramic places. One selects a unadorned object, say in this case an Urn. You then decorate/paint the exterior surface with whatever you want and then bake it in the on-site ovens. You could make the exterior adornment personal to you and your precious baby.... perhaps a poem, a beautiful picture of her.... you're so wonderful with words Dena. Once it's finished, inside you could place her remains, maybe a copy of that beautiful video tribute you made, a special toy, like her LammieDoodle, anything that is meaningful to you and her. You would then have something tangible to remind you of and commemorate your baby.
Here is a link to a studio called "Color Me Mine":
http://www.colormemine.com/HowTo.tpl
It describes the various steps to creating your own personal ceramic. Perhaps you could find a similar facility in your area.

Just an idea for you to mull. Dena, I want you to know how often I think of you. I hope each day continues to get easier. Just keep reminding yourself, the wonderful quality of life you managed to give Natalie in the short time she has here on earth. Hold onto the memory of all the love and care you showered her with. And hold on too, to little Gracie.... she too has such a special purpose - she was the perfect playmate for Natalie, and now she is a comfort to you, she cannot fill the void, but she lessens its dimensions.
Hugs to you my dear friend,
Lauren

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Sarah, (MIZZWANNED) and Teddy, sweet London and Sophie too!! - - - I want to thank you SO very much!! I received your card in the mail today and couldn't have been more touched.....
You've no idea how much it means to me that you took the extra time to go out of your way and send that to let us know that you continue to keep us in your prayers and hearts..... "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough....
Big hugs to you my friend, and lots of snuggles to those little faces!

[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?

[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.

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

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.

She seems very comforted to have them hidden in her little "safe spot"... but she's extremely agitated when the other dogs come near her...

Maybe take her and her snuggle sack into my room where it's quiet and close the door where the other dogs can't come near her?? Then when she wants to come out on her own and seems to want to play, I could put them away and maybe she'll have forgotten them???

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

She seems very comforted to have them hidden in her little "safe spot"... but she's extremely agitated when the other dogs come near her...

Maybe take her and her snuggle sack into my room where it's quiet and close the door where the other dogs can't come near her?? Then when she wants to come out on her own and seems to want to play, I could put them away and maybe she'll have forgotten them???

Sounds like a good plan to me. Let us know how she does.

[yorkieusa]

There is no magic that will end the pain. It is just something you have to learn to live with. I know how much it hurts. When I lost Muffin, I was so lost and grieved so much. She was so special to me, as I'm sure Natalie was so special to you, too.

[nvnvgirl]

Dena~ I know this sounds a little crazy, but I think animals always know when their loved ones are gone. They just need a little time to adjust to it and I think this is Gracies way of doing that. Whenever I have had a bird die that was a companion to another bird, I always let the other bird be with it before I remove it from it's cage. They seem to understand what has happened to their friend, instead of them just up and 'disappearing'. Sometimes we don't have that opportunity, but FWIW....I really do think they know. Maybe Gracie is just comforting herself by having something of Natalie still with her. I am grieving, as I think we all are here, with you. I hope the days filled with sadness and emptiness will pass quickly and you will be able to only think of Nat and smile soon.

[For My Coby]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

Sounds like a good plan to me. Let us know how she does.

I would agree. Animals, unlike we humans, do a better job of processing their losses. I do believe that they are "sad", but I also know that they don't get wrapped up in their emotions to the point of being non-functional the way that we do. They accept life and death the way we all should. I would say that for the moment, the jammies are helping her. And by the jammies helping her, she may be able to help you. You'll just want to make sure that it doesn't because an obsession for her. My thoughts are with you.

[AVERYxo]

Originally Posted by For My Coby

I would agree. Animals, unlike we humans, do a better job of processing their losses. I do believe that they are "sad", but I also know that they don't get wrapped up in their emotions to the point of being non-functional the way that we do. They accept life and death the way we all should. I would say that for the moment, the jammies are helping her. And by the jammies helping her, she may be able to help you. You'll just want to make sure that it doesn't because an obsession for her. My thoughts are with you.

i agree with you, Diane..

Dena-i think lil Gracie..is using this as a coping tool-and im sure(at first), she was a little confused as to what was going on! now that it's been a week or soo..Gracie is able to realize a little more(since she has smelt Natalie's scent on her Pajamas and seen her ashes..not to mention she can feel your emotions too) she knows you are sad.. You said she had been wanting all that attention from you the other day, and once you picked her up..she was content! she wanted to comfort you! and now i think this is her way of having that comfort, as well!! and just like Diane said..Gracie can help you!!

Thinking of you daily..Always in my prayers! xoxo.

[cmgny42]

Hi Dena,
I was thinking today that it has been a week since Natalie's passing and I also remembered you were going to pick up her ashes. I am sure that must have been very hard as this whole week has been. I still think about Natalie and you and Gracie every day and hope you and Gracie are finding comfort with each other.

Lulu is my first dog so I don't have a lot of experience with animal behavior but maybe if Gracie is comforted by Natalie's pj's for now it would be good to let her keep them for a little while, unless like someone else said, she gets obsessed with them. At that point, I would probably take them away.

Poor Gracie must be confused about where Natalie went, poor thing. She sound like such a sweetheart.

You and Gracie are in my daily thoughts...

Colleen

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

I think Gracie is doing much better tonight.... she's running all over the house with Cessy and doesn't even seem to have noticed that I took Natalie's pj's from her snuggle sack and tucked them away.

Poor little baby.... that was so hard to watch her feel so uncertain, but she is much more content tonight so I feel like all is well with that situation.

Thank you everyone, for continuing to check in on us!

Dena

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie

Sarah, (MIZZWANNED) and Teddy, sweet London and Sophie too!! - - - I want to thank you SO very much!! I received your card in the mail today and couldn't have been more touched.....
You've no idea how much it means to me that you took the extra time to go out of your way and send that to let us know that you continue to keep us in your prayers and hearts..... "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough....
Big hugs to you my friend, and lots of snuggles to those little faces!

You're so welcome, I'm so glad you got it! My heart just broke when i read the news 'cause Natalie touched my heart and you are so good to everyone.

[Doodlebug]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious little one. God bless you for loving this baby so much and making her life wonderful. I sobbed all the way through your video. It was the most touching thing I have ever seen.