Calling out to all pet parents - YouLookFab Forum

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Calling out to all pet parents

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Hi Everyone,

I joined YLF a couple weeks back and I'm still trying to get to know everyone. I noticed that many of you have pets and love them almost as much as you love fashion and style (if not more). I saw how many of you had suggestions for Diane G when she found out she's allergic to her cat.

In the past, I've always connected with people who enjoyed their pets and treated them as cherished family members. I'm hoping that I'll connect with some of you pet-parents here too I know many of you veterans would've talked about your pet babies in the past, but would you be kind enough to share photos and stories here on this link for those of us who are new?

My story:

I've always had dogs around when growing up. I lived in a large bungalow with a lot of open space around, so having a dog meant just feeding it on time. The dogs got their own exercise and we kids loved to play with them. I left home at 17 to go to college and then work in a city, until I got married at age 24. Within 6 months we got our first puppy. She's a German Shephard called Xena and is now 7 years old. When Xena was 2, I wanted to get another dog and chose to adopt an abandoned Neopolitan Mastiff. We called her Ginger and she was the child of my heart. She was sweet, kind and docile and followed me everywhere, unlike Xena who is fiercely independent and much prefers the company of my husband. Sadly, we lost Ginger in 2013 due to long illness when she was just 4 years old. We tried very very hard to save her, and those 4 months of my life when I did nothing but nurse my baby day and night to save her were the hardest of my life. When she left us, I was glad her suffering finally came to an end because she was sick for too long, but she's left a hole in my heart that nothing will ever fill. A part of me died with her. I decided against getting another dog for now because I don't think I can deal with goodbyes.

For now, I'm very happy with Xena being such an important part of my life. I am attaching pictures of my babies and hope that some of you will also share your story.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Maneera

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Oh, look at those gorgeous babies! I'm so sorry that you lost Ginger so young. That is one of the hardest things to go through.

I had a dog and lots of cats growing up. When I moved out of my parents house, I was living with roommates and renting, so didn't have pets, although one of my roommates owned the house and had two small dogs. In my mid 20's, I lived alone and got a Weimaraner named Strider. He was a great running partner and a sweet companion. He moved to Denver with me in 1994 and lived to be 15. In that time I got married and had a son, who was 6 when Strider died. By then my son was playing sports year round and we hadn't been on vacation in years because of Strider's extreme separation anxiety. So for the next 5 years we were without a pet, going to sporting events and traveling every chance we got.

In 2013, my husband thought it was time to get a dog. We adopted Henry, the black retriever mix, from Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue. He got really big really fast. Six months later, my husband thought Henry needed a friend, so we adopted Savannah (Savvy) from the same place. They told us she was part St. Bernard but she turned out to be more of a Beagle. No matter, she doesn't know that she's half Henry's size and he doesn't care either. They chase each other and wrestle and go on runs with me. Savvy has some fear issues - people who are not in our immediate family and noises. We've done a lot of training with her, and she's a little better but still won't let anyone touch or come near her other than the three of us. So we're back to not traveling unless it's a road trip with the dogs or one of us stays behind with them. I'm not sure if I make pets neurotic or if the troubled ones find me because I won't give up on them. Henry's very well adjusted and loves people.

Anyway, we love our fur babies and they seem to be very happy with us, too. We went to South Dakota with them last year and are planning a trip to Omaha, Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City at the end of July.

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Oh my! They are gorgeous!!!

I know what you mean about the no traveling. My husband and I traveled constantly for the first 6 months of our marriage. And since we got Xena, we haven't traveled together at all. We go one by one...he travels for work and I travel for leisure....but not together We got a large SUV to fit two big dogs in 2013 beginning so we could Atleast do more road trips.

This year we went on a 3 day vacation together after 6 years! We found someone very trustworthy who Xena loves very much and he agreed to stay at our home while we were away. It worked like a charm!

Savvy will come around. Ginger was always very scared of loud noises and anything strange too. I think many abandoned dogs that have to fend for themselves become very nervous. Xena came to us when she was just 40 days old, so I don't think she even knows the concept of fear, like Ginger. However, Ginger really calmed down Xena over the years. Xena used to be spoilt and very bratty until Ginger came into our lives. She also had serious separation anxiety and destroyed a lot of things around the house when left by herself. Once we got Ginger, that completely disappeared. They were always happy together but Ginger wouldn't stay in a room alone either without me, my husband or Xena. When she passed away, I was very worried for Xena. But thankfully she didn't take long to adjust.

shedev

Veteran

I've spent maybe two years total that I didn't have a pet.

My dogs are a border collie named Murphy and Austrailian cattle dog named Sadie. They are both adopted from a no kill shelter. My mom thinks it's funny that I call them the kids.

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catgirl

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Not a lot of time right now, but did someone says photos? All rescues! Two kittens, cat, husky-greyhound. Lizard not pictured - he is camera shy. Plus 11 year old boy.

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Louise

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Love seeing everyone's furbaby pics.
Here's my fur babies Marley (black & white) and Tigger (black) and my fur niece and nephew Bella & Oakley.
I've had Tigger and Marley since 2003 as kittens, the ex bought Marley for me after I lost the canine love of my life a black and white springer spaniel called Chance and Tigger was found by the ex in a litter bin a couple of weeks later! The ex went out to get pizza and came back with cold pizza and a kitten! Both are loving boys who love a lap to sit on and sleep most nights on the bed with me. Marley has cost me a fortune is dental work, he has 7 left in his mouth and I'm a couple of thousand pounds poorer but I wouldn't have it any other way.
My brother adopted Bella & Oakley from the greyhound rescue I volunteer at. Oakley broke his hock racing and was on the table to be put to sleep the vet contacted the lady who runs Birmingham Greyhound Protection, within hours he was whisked from the jaws of death, in surgery having his leg fixed and my brother offered him a forever sofa with Bella x

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Shedev, Murphy is really handsome! I bet he's a bright, sharp, intelligent kid! Sadie is beautiful...a little princess is she?

Louise and Alaskagirl, what gorgeous fur babies!!!!

My parents got to my dogs being the kids after a while. Growing up, dogs had a certain 'place' in the house where they guarded the house and offered companionship but nothing extraordinarily special was done for them. My parents find it really really hard to understand that my life revolves around Xena so much and I think of her when making any decision at all---even going out to shop or meet people. We stay very consistent with feeding and walking time so our daily routine never changes even on weekends. And no matter where I am, I have to have to have to be home by 5pm (that's evening meal time). I don't regret it a tiny bit.

rachylou

Veteran

This is Lilypup. I cramp her style. She's a cool kid and wants to know what I'm doing hanging around, lol. She's corgi and chihuahua. My family when I was young had German Shepards. My uncle replaced them with the only know killer pack of Golden Retrievers... Haha.

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pil

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Try keeping up with these two Such a rough life.

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Astrid

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Minnie says hello... she's living with my family back at home. We adopted two kittens last year but Luna (the black one) had to be put to sleep this spring after she was found to be incurably ill.

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, really sorry to hear about Luna. Minnie is gorgeous!

Rachy, Lilypup is quite a looker! I can see she's got style and oodles of attitude. So adorable!!!

Pil, those babies are soooooo cute!!! Omg - just an adorable click. I love it so much.

SandyG

Veteran

Make mine a double! My two Aussie puppies, Indie and Brodie, 4 months old in the first photo. My male Brodie at 9 months in #2 photo. My female Indie is 9 months in #3 photo. They're keeping us really, really busy

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Sandy, they're super cute!!!! I'm sure they keep you very busy with their antics! I remember mine at that age.....a quiet day with no 'events' was all I longed for

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can't share the story about how we lost our Yorkies Jasmine and Rosie because it's too painful - and we are still grieving years later. But I wanted to chime in to say that you are a Doggie Kindred Spirit, Maneera. I FULLY understand how precious your Ginger was, and Xena is. There is nothing on this earth that can be compared to the love that you get from, and have for a dog. It's a very magical and unique thing that is different from the love that you experience between humans. The doggies that touch your heart imprint on your souls forever. Their absence is devastating. Much love to you.

dator

I lost my best friend Bella last week,I scooped her off of a busy highway
14 yrs ago and she has been by my side ever since. She is the main reason I joined YLF as her world grew smaller due to arthritis,hip dysplasia,and towards the end renal failure I never left her side except to go to the grocery ,my husband stayed with her while I was gone. So the last two years I have been living vicariously thru you wonderful ladies here hopefully when I find my new "normal" I can apply some of the things that I have learned here to my life. Maneera I am sorry for your loss. There are people that will never understand the bond that we have with our pets I wouldn't worry too much about that. To each their own.
Debbie

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Dator, Bella was beautiful. My heart goes out to you. I will not try to console you. I hated it when people would tell me they 'understood' how I felt when Ginger left and I needed to stop grieving and move on? How could they? No one can measure love...can they? How can someone else know what my exact feelings for her were, how could they possibly comprehend the magnitude of my loss? And how could they know it was time to move on? Especially people who had never had dogs/pets....I am not 100% sure they really comprehend.

Me and my husband never spoke about it either. We both grieve alone...and did. In time it came to a point that I didn't wake up every morning feeling like I've lost any will to live another day.

Yes, you and Angie are right....not many people understand. And I honestly dont care. They are and will always be my 'children' and I didn't have to give birth to them to feel the overwhelming love I do. Here is my tattoo of Ginger. I haven't worn a bracelet since. I have been really missing her very much since today morning. Your kind words do help.

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Style Fan

Veteran

I love animals. I have a dog when I was about 4 years old and grieved her loss growing up. I finally got another one in 1992 who lived for 15 years. My beloved Tasha. I adored her. She was a Samoyed. Then in 2000 I got Christie. Christie and Tasha were together for 7 years and were best friends. Christie died 3 years ago. Christie was also a Samoyed. DH and I decided we would do some travelling dog free. We were both retired and it is much easier to travel without having a dog.

We lasted without a dog for 6 weeks. I couldn't take not having a dog. So I adopted Sophie. She was 6 years old. Also a Samoyed. She had been given up by her family because of severe separation anxiety. She has come a long ways with us. Still has a hard time being left alone but we are working on it.

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Sophie is gorgeous! Snow White princess! I know what you mean not being able to adapt a life without dogs....im sure it's a sad life.

Glad you adopted her and gave her a new life. Dogs with separation anxiety do well with seasoned dog owners.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi Maneera. I only just noticed this post because I usually look at YLF from my phone, and it does not show off topic. It is great to see photos of everyone's fur babies, and to know that there are other kindred spirits amongst the forum (not just from a fashion perspective). I don't need to post a photo of my darling girl because she appears on my every post. (I love that!)

I am very sorry about Ginger, and also about other forum members who have lost a much loved pet. (Dator, my heart goes out to you especially.) I have had a dog for most of my adult life, and cannot imagine being without. The love and loyalty they give you, the companionship, the fun you can have with them. They are extraordinary creatures. It is impossible to explain how special they are. I have lost 4 dogs, the last in 2011, and words cannot express how devastating each loss has been. It makes me so very sad just to think about it. So you can trust I do understand about the bond we have with them.

Please give Xena a hug from me! She is adorable!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn. Xena sends back slobbering kisses!