We have sad news this week, our sweet Leela passed away. And it has been sad and strange without her since. It was not a surprise, we’ve known it was coming for a long time now, but it was still painful and tough with everything going on. I really miss our routine of caring for our sweet senior lady. She passed away peacefully at home of heart failure we think, I was in the office when hubby called to say she was not doing well. I rushed home and she was already gone. I was heartbroken to miss her last minutes, but very thankful hubby was with her and she was in her favorite bed.
We adopted Leela in 2005 while living in Florida. She was about a year old, and was clearly rescued from a bad situation because it took awhile for her to feel comfortable with us. About 6 months later, we packed up, sold our house, and left Florida to live closer to my family in California.
She was our road trip buddy happy to explore rest stops and settle in a strange new hotel room each night.
Once we arrived, she bonded with my mom instantly, became friends with her dog and happy embrace our new life and larger family. She came on hikes with us, spent days at the lake, and enjoyed many little adventures as we explored California.
Leela taught me the importance of embracing those you love for who they are. Accepting her and the challenges she faced before joining our family, being compassionate and finding the best way to bond with her.
She has been a member of our family for so long, that it will feel strange and painful for awhile and I think poor Miko feels it too because he has been extra clingy, loving, and sad too without his friend.
And I have been trying to deal with this and everything else by spending time with hubby, Miko, and getting in exercise and runs.
And keeping things simple with salads, sautes, and stir fries.
Delicious protein pasta hit the spot with marinara sauce too for comfort food.
But the house feels emptier and we miss her. So I am just moving onto the list and hope everyone is hanging in there.
- It’s a good time to go vegan.
- Vegan options are coming from Dairy Queen! About time.
- Must try this carrot bacon recipe, yum!
- Veganized quarantine recipes.
- Vegan broccoli recipes to impress everyone.
- I can’t wait to track down Miyoko’s new cheeses!
- I might need to try this cookie fries recipe.
- I might need to try this new vegan hair product for my picky curls.
- Billie Eilish is still awesome.
- Now is the time to embrace your guilty pleasures.
- The New Normal
- Tofu freaking rules!
So sorry for your loss, Christine.
Thank you so much.
Oh no, so sorry!
Thank you!
I’m so very sorry for you and your family, Christine. Tears are streaming down my face as I type this. Losing a fur baby is one of the hardest things ever. They love us unconditionally and depend on us for everything, which makes us love them even more. Hugs to you.
Thank you so much, they are truly family members and and never easy. So true on loving us unconditionally and I sometimes wonder how I deserve that.
You gave her love and companionship, you truly deserve it. xoxo
Our little Gizmo, who looks like Miko, will be 15 on June 10th and we are watching his health decline. After going through this with three other fur babies, it never gets easier. All we can do is love them as much as possible.
Christine, I’m so sorry… I know I barely knew Leela, and never even met her in person, but this is still hitting me really hard. There are no adequate words to make this better. It breaks my heart and I wish there was any way to help.
Thank you for giving her such a good, long life. She was very lucky to have you as a dog mom.
Thank you so much and so true, only time. She was a member of our family for so long.
Oh Christine! My heart is breaking for you~ it’s so hard! I feel your pain, I lost Weenie, my smooth dachshund 2 weeks ago. I couldn’t eat for a week, got him in 2003. It just hurts so bad when you loose a friend. And I can relate to Leela liking your mom and being rescued from a bad situation. So difficult. I was hurting so bad and so sick that my nice husband found 2 doxies who needed a home (both 2 years old former dogs who were used for breeding.) I do love them but miss Weenie and have this tremendous sense of guilt for bonding with them at all! But my husband just kisses the dogs on the couch all day so they are not deprived.
It is and yes, I remember your loss too – so sorry! It is painful and we only have one dog in our household now, so strange and thinking about when to adopt again during these strange times. So sweet on your new pups and sounds like they are happy. But I understand that they will never replace a previous family member.