Oh, Cali, I'm so glad you're already looking for a new companion for Brie!! And it's so wonderful you can find one with a link to your beloved Tyler. That's fabulous!

Our 'Cuda was so depressed when I came home without Yogi....he was like a different dog. In some ways it was a relief that he wasn't as assertive and self-centered, but I knew it was grief and we just couldn't let it continue....

Yogi passed on Dec 13, 2000. We picked up Diva from the breeder on Dec 23, 2000. They are such a great team together! Diva is much more the purebred nuerotic border collie, very obsessive, but beautiful in a way that passers-by stop to meet her. 'Cuda has become a total mama's boy. And when I'm home sick like today, almost nothing is better than having a power cuddling mama's boy curled up on the bed with me!!

Cali, the guils I felt over Yogi still comes and goes, but mostly I just remember the wonderful good times. I wish I'd been a better dog-mom when he was younger, wish I'd gotten a friend for him sooner (the cats have never really played with the dogs - not enough anyway), wish I'd been there when he passed over, but we can't change any of that. He was a wonderful companion. The best first dog a couple could have! He wouldn't leave the yard, he was everyone's friend, he loved to run and play and LOVED to go on rides with us. I'm so grateful that he spent his life here with us!!

One thing DH did, shortly after Yogi passed: well, we were apart for several days when it happened, so we each had lots of alone time to think.....ouch....anyway, it was such a sweet idea. He just wrote down all sorts of little things that were his memories of Yogi. Some of them were just one word, like "PUMPKINS!!" that will always remind us of the great little things that happened with him.

Lately, we've been sorting through 18 years of crap that we've accumulated, getting ready for a big move to another town, trying to pare down our belongings to a more manageable amount (that leaves more room for bikes and bike stuff), and we found that list. What a joy that was!! Very cool to come across it by accident that way!

I know this part is hard to talk about....what did you do with Tyler's remains? If you've had him cremated, I have some websites to direct you to. {{hugs}}

I think I may be rambling by now. I keep thinking about you, though, and hoping that you're doing well with your critters!

Namaste,
~Teresa~