There is Life After Death
As we all know, life does move on. As hard as that is to admit, we keep on going. There is no time to just curl up in a ball and hold on to the sadness that could so easily engulf us. I’m not saying that I’m not sad, or that I don’t have bad days, because of course I do. Murphy was special – I miss his bark (I never thought I’d say that!!), I miss his sighs, I miss him watching me in the kitchen from around the corner of the wall. I feel bad that I haven’t been as active in the forums or blogs as I used to be, but it’s just so hard! Just when I think I can do it, we lose someone else. I have my core group, and that helps, of course. But I also feel that I’m letting the Tripawd Nation down, and I’m sorry.
We’ve been keeping busy around here. Before we lost Murphy, Cassie was diagnosed with arthritis in her back and a couple of bulging discs. She’s been having a hard time walking and her back end is getting weaker. We’ve gone through laser treatment and she recently started wearing an Ortho Pets Toe Up support boot which is helping to prevent her from knuckling her toes. We’ve only gotten it for 1 foot so far to try it out.
Cassie just turned 13 at the end of summer, so she’s slowing down a bit. I think she’s missing her best friend.
For Labor Day weekend, Glenn & I drove across Michigan then took a ferry across Lake Michigan over to Wisconsin and spent the weekend with my “twin” Paula (Dobemom) and her husband John. We had a wonderful weekend! We got to play with their new puppy, Grizz and with Kodi, too. The weather was perfect for sitting outside, a motorcycle ride and a tour of Green Bay. 
This past weekend we added a new member to our family. The name he came with is Cosmo, but we’ve changed it to Cooper. The rescue group originally thought that he was 3-4 months old, but once they took him to their vet he put him around 8 or 9 months, that would mean that his birthday is right about the same time as Murphy’s was.We have no idea what mix he is! He weighs about 23 lbs and is about the same size as Max. Cassie likes him, which is what we expected, since she loves all babies. Max is doing ok. Their initial meeting was outside and went better than we expected. When we moved inside, Max became a little bit possessive of pretty much everything lol. It’s only been 2 days, but that’s gotten better already – he’s sharing food, toys and space. Like most puppies, Cooper wants to play, but Max isn’t too sure that he wants to play with him. Cooper will try to play with Max, Max will wag his tail, growl & bark at Cooper, Cooper will back up (or go behind one of us!) but then come back & bark at Max – it’s quite the cycle! I try to break the cycle with distraction and a small treat. 
He’s found the basket of stuffed babies and is having a good time with them. He’s a busy boy! lol We haven’t seen much of the cats – the foster mom said he did good with her cats, so we should be fine. He’s doing pretty good with house-training, but needs to learn some manners.
Donna
September 13th, 2017 at 12:19 am
Donna,
Do not feel like you are letting anyone down. No way no how. I pick and chose to this day what forums and things I post on. Some are still too difficult and yes after 4 years.
I am so glad you got to go see Paula and meet Grizz.
I love Cooper. I think his face looks like a Saluki. They are small & thin. Congrats on the new addition.
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
September 13th, 2017 at 12:40 am
WELCOME HOME COOPER!!! 🙂 WELCOME TO THE MOST LOVING HOME A SWEET PUP LIKE YOU COULD EVER HAVE!! 🙂
Donn and Glenn, I’m so over the moon happy for you……a d for CUTIE COOPER!!! 🙂 He is abe ADORABLE!!! Those beautiful brown eyes, his blonde coloring and his precious floppy ears…OMD!!! SOOOO CUTE!! 🙂
The fact that it’s just a couple of days and Max is allowing the puppy to share his bowl..WOW!!! 🙂 I can’t wait to see the video of Cooper trying to get Max playing!
And sweet, sweet Cassie should get paid as a “foot model” for that Ortho boot. She is so darn cute looking like a pretty little fashionista in that thing!!
I’m so glad you were able to see Paula a d Jon, a d Lisa a d Ken, and ADORABLE Grizz and Beautiful Kodi!! I KNOW Murphy, Pofi and Nitro were celebrating at the Bridge knowing they, not only brpught all of you together, but brought you Cooper and Grizz too! Pofi is still seeking out the perfect match at the perfect time.:-)
Donna, you are still in the painful early part of grieving for Murphy. Your emotions are still raw a d it is perfectly understandable why you aren’t spending time on the site. We grieve so hard for every loss becae we know EXACTLY what the humans left behi d are feeling. Plu, it makes us relive our own loss and pain over and over and over again. Take time to heal yoirself. Take time to relish in the laughter and run that precious Cooper is bringing to you. Murphy wants nothing more than to see you have joy in your day again. Through Cooper, Murphy is bringing you joy and happiness again…..and that makes him so proud!
I love that Cooper’s birthday is around the same time as Murphy’s…such a very specific sign that Murphy picked Cooper!! 🙂 He even has a ringe kf red in his beautiful blonde fur. He looks so soft and “petable”:-).
Looking forward to following along with Cooper, and all your precious pack, as they move from one great adventure to another! 🙂 And ALWAYS with pictures!!
Lots and lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
September 13th, 2017 at 3:57 am
Donna and Glenn….so glad you made the trip to see us! When we planned it Memorial
Day Weekend, we didn’t know our Tripawd Warriors would not be with us. It’s been a ruff summer for us all, we are all still reeling from losing our heart dogs. Like you said, life does indeed go on, and nothing would bring our heroes back to us. We”ll never forget them, and we needed to be happy again – enter Cooper and Grizz. I hope Cooper brings you as much laughter as Grizz has brought us. So happy for you all. Give him a big smooch from Aunite Paula.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
September 13th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
Welcome Cooper to the best place in the world to be a dog! Mama Donna and Papa Glenn are the best pawrents ever and your life will be so full of love! Sounds like it’s going well with sweet Cassie and handsome Max and I’m betting within a month it’ll be like he’s been there a lot longer he’ll fit in so well. It has been a really tough and sad summer here on Tripawds with huge losses and I’m so happy Murphy sent you Cooper to put some joy back in your lives. I can see both Murphy and Nitro sitting side by side laughing at Coopers and white devil Grizz’s antics as they sip their morning puppachino. 😉😉