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,:hug::hug:
Lauren

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...

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. :(

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

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.

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.

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.. :thumbup:

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.

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

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.

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.

Dena, having lost 2 dogs (not Yorkies) in under a month this past autumn, I completely understand what you're going through. I'm so very very sorry for your loss, and though it's trite, time DOES help a little. Though I freely admit to crying right now.

Two things I wanted to tell you - first, got the clothes, love them all :)

Second, when you're ready to do something with Natalie's ashes (1 and 2 months later I still can't even look at the urns that ours came back to us in) please search pet memorials (or PM me) and you'll find a wealth of different ways to honor her. There are ceramic urns (with breed or personalized pictures), photo box urns, necklaces that hold a small amount of ashes (this is what I plan on doing) and a lot more.

Please take care and don't let a single person tell you what you're feeling is wrong or exaggerated - they are your feelings are you are entitled to them.

*hugs*
Tara

:( I'm so sorry for your loss. I've been off the computer since just before Christmas and I'm just seeing this. Hugs to you!

Hi there Dena, I am pleased to hear that Gracie is happier now, But how are you doing my friend? I think of you everyday, do you feel the hug in the morning?
Sending warm thoughts to you and yours.

My sweet poodle Cindy passed away 14 yrs ago today at 18 yrs old, and do you know that I shed a few tears for her this morning? After all these years. She was very special. Don't be afraid to grieve in any way you want - thats what makes us yorkie/dog lovers.

Sheilagh.

I am so sorry again about your poor little baby. Talk about great timing on my end with sending that card to you. I feel like a dork now. I hope that it did not make you cry or anything. I would hate to cause you any pain in this sad time. Give Gracie a big hug for me and let her lay a ton of kisses on your face for me. I wish that I could do something to help ease your pain, but time is the only thing that can do that now. Keep your chin up. Things do get better.

Dena,
There is a booth at "The Market" up by Quail that has quite a few yorkie figurines. I was there a couple of days ago and saw them.... just thought I would let you know... maybe you could check them out and find one maybe that feels right
Angi

Your in my thoughts and prayers for help in understanding why God needed another angel to help him. Your video is precious and a great way to say your final goodbyes to your precious baby. Life takes us down roads we never seem to understand. I believe the Lord gave you Natalie to make you a stronger woman in whatever way he saw. You will see your precious little girl again. You keep her in your heart, your dreams and your everyday life without thinking twice about it. She may not be there phsyically but she is there in spirit. God Bless You Dena. I wish you all the best...

Oh my goodness, I am just now seeing this. I had no idea that Natalie had passed until now :cry: Goodness, I am just so incredibly sorry. I don't even know what to say :cry:

I am so, so, so very sorry for your loss. Natalie was a little doll. May she rest in peace :cry:

I've decided to search.....
 

Natalie
 

Hi, Dena. Since I was away for the holidays, away from the computer, I missed the passing of sweet Natalie. As I read your initial post, montage and subsequent posts, my heart is so heavy for you. There are no magic days, months or years that ever completely ease the heartache you will feel for Natalie. These blessed creatures bring such love and leave a lasting imprint on our hearts.

Please know that I understand how you feel since my beloved Sophie went to the Rainbow Bridge on January 23, 2007. Most of the YT's that read "In Memory Of" are able to understand your grief. There will always be the "what if's" but know the angels were by her side, and gently lifted her on her journey.

Warmly, Deborah

I am so sorry about your loss. :( I haven\'t been on here much lately and when I read this my heart just broke for you. May little Natalie rest in peace. You and your family will be in our prayers.

i am so sorry for your loss.. it makes me tear up to see threads like these ones..

and i\'m sure your natalie knew how much she was loved.. and i\'m sure she loved you back just as much, if not more..