We lost our old guy, Parker, recently. He got sick so fast. Fine one day, really not fine the next. After lots of tests, screenings, and a round of antibiotics to try to beat down a prostate infection, along with a UTI, he didn’t get better, but worse.
The next step would’ve been cancer biopsies, neurological tests. Just no, we just couldn’t put him through that at nearly 11 years old.
It’s hard to do the right and loving thing and let a well-loved pet go.
He was part of our family for a decade, so we did that loving thing. And now he’s out of pain and romping over The Rainbow Bridge with the pals who went over before him.
He and Atticus were best friends from the minute they met, and largely inseparable. So Atticus grieved as much, and maybe even more, than we did.
Usually after a loss like this I wait awhile to find another dog to bring into the family. But this time, Atticus’s sorrow was too much for me.
So I started the hunt. Not a puppy, but a young dog. He would have to be happy in a house with another dog, with people, with kids. Friendly.
I scoured rescue sites, as did BW, and while there were so many cute dogs, none of them hit that mark that says: Oh, he’s ours!
Until, a new listing, a rehoming as the little family is relocating and can’t take the dog with them. 11 months old, kid friendly, dog friendly, even housebroken—which is a bonus, not a deal-breaker. And the face! A sweet, sweet face.
And I thought: There he is!
Billed as a Lab, but I also thought: That’s not a Lab face, but so, so sweet.
A talk with the owners, questions and answers on both sides. BW and Logan went down to see the dog, make sure everyone liked everyone,
Then brought him home.
Not a Lab, but a Labradoodle—which explains the fuzzy face and wavy coat. A very handsome boy!
And as sweet as his face. Energetic? Oh yes. Happy? Almost delirious. For the first time since we lost Parker, Atticus was energized and happy, too. They played like maniacs for over an hour, non-stop, inside. Then raced around outside. Our new family member had lived in an apartment, and seems to really enjoy having all this room to run.
He jumps some in his crazed joy, but we’re working on that. He enjoys my attention, my rubs on his soft, wavy fur, sits when I tell him to and played ball with me this morning when the other guys were sleeping.
But. He has bonded to BW like glue. If BW’s not around, I’m more than good enough. But if BW is around, I’m next to invisible. It’s kind of adorable.
So welcome, Milo, you’re just what we needed to fill the hole in our hearts. We’ll try hard to be just what you need, too.
Nora
I am so sorry for the loss of Parker….but somewhere in the Summerland he is running free and basking in the sunshine!
Welcome Milo to a life filled with love!!! Already your job ofmbrining joy has been a success!
Its hard when you loose a pet. So sorry for your loss, but welcome Milo, he is a cutie…best of luck with him.
In October, I lost my senior cat, Pandora, of 14 years. I’d spent the previous year treating her for hyperthyroidism and kidney disease. But, she had facial pain and it rapidly became clear she had a tumor. And there was nothing I could do but, out of love, give her peace.
A year and a half before, we has lost her sister to hyperthyroidism. Her sister had an underdeveloped kidney so we couldn’t get the hyperthyroidism under control and she spiraled into acute kidney failure.
Pandora stayed solo kitty for over a year. She struggled healthwise but seemed okay being solo. She was a fundamentally shy cat. My brother often joked some people had therapy pets, and I was Pandora’s therapy person.
I went back and forth on getting another cat.
Then, last March, I saw a bonded pair of kitten, rescued from a dumpster with her mom. The rescue organization wanted to adopt them out together.
So, I took the plunge. It took weeks to get Pandora to not hate them. It took more weeks of patience on their part to get Pandora to let them snuggle (they were determined to love her).
When I said goodbye to Pandora, they were clearly sad she was gone. Now, they run the house and I am so grateful to have them .
I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved Parker, but so happy you found Milo. We lost our sweet Lucy in July of 2022 and our other dog, Zippo, has grieved himself crazy. We’ve been looking for a companion for him, but as he has anxiety issues we haven’t had any luck yet. Best wishes for a happy life to Milo and Atticus.
Sorry for your loss 🌈 but happy for your gain. Welcome home Milo!
So sorry for your loss. It’s hard to let go of our fur babies. Milo is such a cutie! Glad to hear his is fitting in so well.
It’s always hard to say good bye to our pet when it’s time as they are family! RIP Parker!
How fun that you were able to find another companion for Atticus and the rest of you!
So sorry for your loss – so happy for found joy in Milo
So sorry for your loss. We so lose a piece of our heart. We lost Roarke’s litter mate Dallas and he does not want a new dog in his house. It’s kind of like I got a different dog he has changed so. Biggest is he does not want to be alone. He is also hard of hearing. I thought he was just ignoring me before but now I realize it’s way more than that. Dallas always made sure he alerted him to what was going on.
So sorry for the loss of your sweet Parker, but isn’t it lovely that the heart is a muscle that can stretch and open to allow a new love in. We wnt through similar with the loss of the best dog in the history of dogs, but have welcomed not a replacement, but a continuation of love.
I have had my heart broken so many times at the loss of a pet. So sorry about Parker, happy you found Milo.
I am sorry for your loss of Parker. Best wishes and lots of fun with Milo!!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so happy Milo found you! I rescued a Labradoodle during the pandemic from a breeder. She’s is very protective of me and follows me around and has to be next to me all the time…until papa comes home. 😂. Here is lots of puppy love and kisses!
I’m so sorry that you lost your Parker. 💔 It sounds like Milo is helping to lift everyone’s spirits, and he is adorable!!
So sorry for your loss of Parker. We lost 2 dogs in the last 4 years. Right now we are enjoying our grand dogs. All 7 of them. We babysit them often to give my husband his doggie fix. But he is doing the research now on his next dog too. Your newest member of the family is adorable. Enjoy.
So very sorry for the loss of Parker. Our furry friends become our best friend , and become family. It hurts so much when they leave. But you have found Milo to ease the heartache. And he has fit in so well with your family. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
I’m so sorry, Nora. Those of us who share or have shared our lives with animals know the joy of the sharing and the heartbreaking sadness of losing them. Godspeed to Parker and welcome to Milo. ❤️
We had to say goodbye to our sweetheart, Kaci two weeks ago. My heart is still so heavy (my husband took me to Disney World for therapy) though she shared 15 wonderful years with us. We’ve always had two dogs (her sister Riley passed two years ago) so this is the first time in 42 years that we are without a dog. Best wishes on your new dig!
So sorry on your loss of Parker. 🌈 Happy you have a new family member. Milo is so cute. So glad he is fitting in so well, many new joy’s with him. 🐾❤❤🐾
I am so sorry you lost your beloved Parker. Six years ago we had to let our Lucy go. We were lucky that there was a compassionate vet in town who came to the house so we could hold her and tell her how much we loved her as she went. Five years ago we brought home Pema. Lucy was a Cockashon (Cocker Spaniel and Bichon Frise). Pema is a beautiful Cockapoo (English Cocker Spaniel and Poodle) and the light of our life. No new pet replaces the ones that have gone before, nor do they lead us to forget those wonderful animals that have accompanied us throughout our lives. Milo will bring new joys and challenges. Just remember that it is okay (as I’m sure you already know) to still miss Parker. I love Pema. But Lucy, Marlowe, and Sam are all still with me as well. They all taught me lessons that only a dog can teach.
When we unexpectedly lost our yorkie chihuahua our rescue pointed & howled in the yard to her burial spot. We wouldn’t have added our 10+ year old rescue Duke, but for Scooby’s grief. Duke arrived and jumped immediately on the footstool. Scooby’s head shot up..we hadn’t been able to coax him onto the couch until then. He figured it out and so did Duke. All the dogs are such good dogs. I miss both Scooby and Duke now.
So sorry for the loss of Parker. Pets are family. Your new dog is adorable , you might think you chose him. He chose you with Parker putting him in your sight😊May he bring you happiness
Every pet , every one we know who dies gives a piece of themselves to us. They always live in our hearts
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Thats always hard.
Milo is a beautiful dog & wonderful addition to your family.
So sorry for your loss but happy you found Milo.
My condolences on your loss. Dogs can add so much to our lives. I’m glad you found one that fit our family so well.
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a family member like that just hurts the heart. What a gift for all of you that Milo found his way to you. Hope y’all have many years of bliss together.
My heart aches for you and with you all, Nora. I understand how very hard it is to lose a beloved family member like your Parker. I agree with Paula’s comment; Parker led you right to Milo, and how utterly adorable he is, too 🥰 That face! Those eyes!
Here’s to all the wonderful memories of Parker that will live forever in your heart, and the new ones you’ll be making with that cutie pie, Mr. Milo.
15 years ago. Our old dog was 16 and was fading. Not in pain, but steps were a problem because he couldn’t see well. And hearing was going. And he was an 80lb dog at a very advanced age.
My friend fostered rescues. One morning I was paging thru social media and came across 2 pictures of her new rescues, about 10 weeks old. Rescues from a kill shelter. The little male said “I’m yours.”
My husband came down a d looked at me “what”. I just turned the laptop around. He said “the black one?” I called my friend, grabbed my 10 year old and we adopted Finn Egas.
Sometimes something is absolutely meant to be. Finn is very gray now. But still active. He sheds like crazy and will do just about anything to get a pork bone even tho they make him constipated. He loves deep snow. And “his” cat, who was a kitten when we got him. He’s a member of the family.
I’m sorry for your loss. And glad your new baby found you.
They give us their hearts when they come to us, and they take a piece of our hearts when they leave.
Nothing as joyous as a loving dog and nothing so sad as losing one. So sorry for your loss. Parker will be happy that his friend Atticus and his family have a new friend to help them heal 💜
Dogs aren’t our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.
I retired in 2019 – and looked forward to a few more years with my labradoodle mix, Finnegan. We would be able to be together all day every day. But with months he went downhill. A UTI, that cleared up, but he just never seemed to get better. So many tests – and then in December he stopped eating, and the final tests results came back cancer, and then he hurt his leg and couldn’t do the stairs, so I was carrying him in and out of the house. One day I looked into his eyes, and they were so sad – so I said goodby to my Finnie. Still makes me sad.
So very sorry for your loss! Milo is adorable. When I was doing training with my Yoda, the trainer had us remember “We don’t pet puppies that jump.” It takes time but it works. Good luck! Yoda and I wish Milo many happy years with BW… and of course everyone else.
So very sorry for your loss! It is very hard to say goodbye to our dogs who are part of our family. We lost a Lab and a Beagle in 2022 and still miss them! So glad you found Milo! I love labradoodles! The good thing is they don’t cause allergies! Milo is adorable!
So sorry for the loss of your special boy. We lost both our pups, 14 and 15 years old in 2019 4 days apart. My plan was to wait also but my MIL, 95 at the time, was the one getting depressed without a dog in the house so we got a rescue, 9 weeks old, Murphy just turned 5 and she still is loving on him at 100 years old
It’s so hard to lose a beloved pet. I’m glad you found a new pet to ease the loss.
We have done the same multiple times. Our girl Kaia was so skittish of humans she was essentially Mojo’s puppy for almost a year. Time and patience won us a place in her heart and when we lost Mojo we got two puppies for her. They are truly the heart of our home.
So sad, happy for you. We lost our mommy shi tzu last July, but still have baby Bailey to comfort us ❤️. Don’t know what I would do without her! Happy you found a ” he’s ours!” Nothing like losing a fur baby.
We found out 10 days ago that our almost 11 year old dog has lung cancer. Not putting her through surgery, just loving her in the time she has left. It’s so hard though. So far she is comfortable and on meds to help keep her that way. Enjoy your Milo and love him.
I lost my magnificent German Shepherd Seeing Eye dog, Levi, in 2021. He just collapsed and died one morning in the backyard; no warning. I went back to training and got a successor, a yellow lab named Becky. She’s not Levi, but she is hou own joyful presence by my side ′and in my lap if she can get away with it.′ She has filled a part ofthe hole Levi left. Milo sounds perfect for your household, and he’s a lucky dog. RIP Milo and Levi.
I’m so sorry to hear about Parker but welcome to Milo.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Parker. I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a beloved dog. I’ve had dogs mourn the loss of a buddy, and a new dog does perk them up. Milo is lucky to have you, and I wish for you lots of happiness with him.
So sorry for your loss of Parker. So happy you have Milo a new home. Hope you all enjoy many happy and loving times together.
I’m so sorry about Parker, it will never get easier. Milo is adorable. Atticus is a wonderful boy to be so accepting, be happy, you gave Parker a wonderful life which is the most important thing❤️
He is beautiful. He has found a forever home with you and will be happy to see you happy.
Oh, the love and joy they bring us! It’s indescribable, isn’t it? My husband is a huge waterfowler, and we have four girly Labs – my senior 10-year old, Frost, 4-year-old Tippy and two of Tippy’s pups, Dolly and Ruby. We had our boy dog, Mac, too – nine years old, father to the pups, and the best pal ever. But two days after Christmas, in the blink of an eye, his stomach turned over, he went into shock, and within one hour, we had him at the pet ER and had to put him down. Hours earlier, he was chasing the pups and giving all of us lovins’ . . . we had no idea what was to come.
But for all the madness and noise of having five, now four, huge indoor dogs, and then the sorrow and sadness when one leaves, if it is within my power, I will always have a dog. Their hearts are pure, as is their love, and I’m so glad you, BW, Atticus and the rest of your family have Milo now. I’d say it’s a win-win for all of you. Rest easy, Parker – maybe you and my Mac can have a romp together on the Bridge.
I am so sorry for the loss of your pet, Parker. Over the years, we have lost several of our 4 legged family members, so like others, I feel your pain.
Best of luck with Milo, he’s a cutie.
Take care.
I’m sorry for the loss of your fur baby. They are so much a part of our family. Their death leaves a huge hole. I’m glad you found Milo to fill that hole and I’m sure Parker approves and may have helped guide him to you. Take care!
I am so very sorry about Parker. I understand perfectly. We had a cat with a tumor that we decided not to have removed as he was 17 years old. We finally had to say goodbye. We waited several months before getting two new kittens, siblings. I am very happy that Milo has jumped right in and become a member of the family.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved Parker. All of us who have had pets feel your pain. Milo looks like a delightful addition to your family. I’m so happy that he has brightened up Atticus’ life as well.
So sorry for your loss Nora, glad you could find a new member for your household, BW must be thrilled with the newest addition. 😀
So sorry for your loss. They are with us for what seems like such a short time. But welcome to Milo. What a wonderful addition.
So sorry about Parker’s passing – letting a pet go is always a hard decision.
Welcome home, Milo, your face, well that face is pretty adorable.
Continued happiness, all!
Stephanie
#professionalromancefan
So sorry for the loss of sweet Parker, but milo seems like a wonderful (and handsome) boy for Atticus. So glad you were able to help his family, who had to leave him behind, and give Milo a happy home with lots of space to play!
So sorry for the loss of Parker. Our pets become members of our families and their loss always breaks our heart. Now you have Milo to fill that empty space. Wishing your family happiness with his new addition.
We lost our sweet boy Eddie just after Christmas to lymphoma. I am so sorry for your loss. I have a belief in reincarnation so I am praying that my sweet Eddie’s soul finds his way back to us.
💔😢. 💗😊.
So sorry to hear of the loss of Parker. It’s always hard to lose a well love family member but even as hard as it was, you know he’s not in pain and is chasing balls and squirrels to his heart’s content. Welcome to Milo. You have already started the journey to heal the hole in the hearts of your new family.
I am so very sorry for your loss and happy you found sweet Milo 💜
So sorry for your loss of Parker, but happy that you have Milo to ease the pain and loss of your long time friend.
Condolences on the loss of your family member. I had to let my 4th rescue boxer cross the bridge in April of last year at the age of 12, it’s not easy, but the alternative is even worse. Milo looks like a wavy coated Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever, he’s adorable. Hugs to all
So sorry for your loss. It is always hard to make the decision. My German shepherd was just diagnosed with Lymphoma at nearly 10 yrs old. She is on prednisone and it seems to be helping, but we will know when it is time to make that difficult decision. Glad you were able to find a friend for Atticus. Hope Milo is able to give you many years of joy. He’s a handsome boy.
Saying goodbye is never easy. We lost our greyhound Zwi to an aggressive cancer in September. At thirteen and as a large breed, his comfort and quality of life were the main focus. He went peacefully, but the hole was untenable. We had been through the same thing five years before with the passing of CatCat at age 20. Potato Cat entered our lives three days after her passing and taught us a very important lesson. Rue Dog (our now thirteen year old husky/eskimo cross) is remarkably good with very young animals. (Potato Cat was just over seven weeks old when we got him.)
Rue Dog is also dog and people selective, the living embodiment of a curmudgeon. Our best way forward was the option that made no sense, a puppy. A twelve week old Aussie named Marlowe to be exact.
In the space of two days we saw a paradigm shift, a connection and cohesion between Rue Dog and Marlowe that was never present between Rue Dog and Zwi. Rue tolerated Zwi, but was much more attached to CatCat and later, Potato Cat. With Marlowe there was an instant click with Rue Dog. He has been brighter and more engaged than he had been.
Marlowe’s continuing education in obedience, agility, task work, and tricks has served as a catalyst to challenge Rue Dog to dust off some of his slightly rusty skills. Marlowe actually managed to get Rue Dog to correctly fetch a ball something Rue had never done up until that point.
While we miss the quiet sweetness that embodied Zwi, Marlowe has taught us life goes on. We never forget those we love, but things do get better.
So sorry that Parker went over the Rainbow Bridge . Our daughter has 2 Doodles. They are good dogs and seem to pick out their favorite parent . Enjoy Milo
Making that difficult decision for one of your fur babies is so heartbreaking but because you love them you have to let them go and put them out of their pain. Now Parker is frolicking over the Rainbow bridge where he is pain free and happy. Welcome sweet Milo, he’s adorable and just what Atticus needs to heal his grief. Wishing you all the best with Sweet Milo.
So sorry about your loss. It breaks our hearts. My Miniature Schnauzer is growing older and it’s time to look for another for companionship.
It’s really hard when we lose a furry family member and when you have more of them and they’ve been together a long time it’s really hard. As we all know WE may not be ready for another to join just yet but the same way we have to balance loving them and letting go when we’re doing it only for our own desires it’s the same with bringing home a new family member to help ease the loss to the others as well as ourselves. I always think my family is waiting in Heaven at the Rainbow bridge with the favorite toy and binky so they’ll be together with no pain or illness and eventually I’ll get to join everyone again.
I’m very sorry for your loss and so happy you understood your fur family enough to ease his pain even though you may not have been quite ready. Here’s wishing you many years of joy and happiness together! And eventually to rejoining everyone who’s waiting for you playing with family and friends in Heaven. 💖
So sorry for your loss of Parker. It is always a difficult decision but ( in my opinion ) you made the right one. Milo looks and sounds like such a sweetheart. Enjoy! I’m sure you’re making his life a much better one.
Pets bring so much love and joy. I have had to put down a couple of my cats after many years and many attempts to keep them going and it was heartbreaking each time. The hole they left was vast. But then comes the joy of the new one, and how he/she just fills up the holes, but without diminishing all the love and care for the ones that came before. Its magical. Your old guy looked so sweet, and so does your new guy.
When I lost my Angie last year someone asked me what’s the hardest thing about having a dog. I thought its the goodbye. They leave their paw prints on our hearts. Parker was lucky to have you all for his family and now Milo will be too. 💔❤️🩹
So sorry for the loss of your sweet Parker. May his memory bring you all more joy than pain. And welcome to Milo. So happy that he seems to be the balm that Atticus’s soul needs. Labradoodles are awesome dogs. Goody, loyal and smart as hell!
I can relate. We had to let our 15 year old baby go on 2/5! She had been eating very little, an ultrasound showed a mass on on small colon. We didn’t want the rest of her life in pain, recovering from a major surgery. We would have typically waited awhile to get someone new, but I’m 72 & this could conceivably be our last pet(s) so we want to enjoy them as long as we can. We have lots of love to share.
It is the hardest thing we do – and the most loving. Oscar the Wiener Dog was there at the Bridge to meet Parker and be best friends. Love to you all.
We lost our 222yr old cat, who’d been a member of our family since we found her as a tiny kitten dumped on the street one Christmas night.
We grieved Holly for 5yrs then became the surprise family of a 320g kitten that needed a family to love. Having recently celebrated her 5th birthday I’m sure we’ve given her just that, as sure as I am that you’ve already given Milo exactly what he needs, and oh so much more.
I’m so sorry!!! I feel that’s the hardest decision to make for them. We had to make that decision a year ago for our almost 14 year old lab. I say we, but it was really me. My husband & boys couldn’t. Unfortunately, I knew it was coming & she would tell me when she was ready. She was the only dog my youngest knew (got her while I was pregnant, I don’t recommend 🤣), he grew up with her. The best dog ever. So glad you were able to move on to love another one. I still cry at thought, so I k ow the time isn’t right.
I am sorry you lost your friend Parker, I’ve had to make this hard decision several times now for both dogs and cats. It never gets easier.
I just finished reading Random in Death and loved it. I did find a couple of mistakes, would you like me to send them on and if so, where to? I would also like to send my favourite lines from the book as well as a copy of my review. I have all of the JD Robb books, the last 8 or so are ebooks, the rest in paperback. I have been reading your books since the 1980s and have loved them all. I recently downsized and sold on most of my Nora Roberts books as my eyesight makes it hard to read printed books now. I still can’t bear to give up my In Death collection, though. Please write at your own pace and keep enjoying what you do. If you feel stressed it affect the quality of the books. I am sweltering as I write this, it is about 39 Celsius here in Victoria, Australia.
What a sad day and what a happy day. That’s life. I have REALLY enjoyed 50 Eve Dallas books, just finished Golden in Death with my two dogs on my side, and hope to read much more In Death books!!