Something that has been in my thoughts

Today a friend of mine had to say goodbye to her beloved cat. Her kitty, Aspen, was diagnosed with cancer soon after Arlie's diagnosis. She and I cried together and laughed at stories at how silly our pets are...or I guess I should say...were.

It brought back some sad feelings again knowing that she is going through what we went through. Or rather, are STILL going through.

Someone wrote these words and it's something I hold dear:

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.  His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flyig over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look one more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

I wanted to show my readers pics of Arlie with how we remember him. Strong, kind, and incredibly wonderful all around.

He held firm to his spot on the couch. Even with 2 human kids trying to get in there.

"Yes, she's all over me but if you ever say anything bad about her, you answer to me"

They traded toys for a bit.

Fur pillow started early

This is the first time Arlie met Jackson. He never left his side.

I haven't forgotten

I know. I still owe you a post about the future puppy. Truth is we don't know yet!!!! We find out this week. I promise as soon as we know, you'll be next to find out. I realize...inquiring minds want to know!

2 months .... will it get any easier?

Today is the 2 month anniversary of our sweet boy's passing. It is starting to get easier. I don't cry nearly as much and the kids are starting to realize that Arlie is not coming back from dog heaven. There are still two books they enjoy reading: "Dog Heaven" and "For Every Dog and Angel". I worry that reading these books still will hinder their acceptance of either a new dog or of Arlie passing. But, when they look at the illustrations, and see a black dog and point and say, "Look! There's Arlie Bear!!" I know that it is the right thing.

In all of our grieving, I have forgotten that there are others that are having a hard time with the loss of Arlie Bear. First, Arlie's sweet cousin Jessie. She is my brother's greyhound and every so often when they go on trips, we get to take care of her. Jessie has known Arlie since he was 8 weeks old. Heck, she helped raise him! She showed him how to go up the steps, corrected his behavior when he was a little too puppy rambunctious, chased each other in the yard (boy did he get frustrated when he couldn't catch her!), snuggled up to him, and loved him so much. In fact, Jessie was with us the week we said goodbye to Arlie. I should have known that something was up because she never left his side. She kept sniffing his chest and would forgo her bed (the only thing she would lay down on) to lay on the carpet next to him. She knew. When we came home from seeing "M", it was Jessie that ran up to us and buried her snout in our necks. She put her paw on us (just as Arlie would do), and let us cry. She comforted us. With that, we forgot that she is grieving as well. Now, when she comes to our house to stay while my brother and his family are on vacation, she doesn't eat, she walks around the house just looking for her cousin.  Now, two months later she still looks for him.

I know you are thinking they are having a tiff. Nope, this is Arlie (about 4 month old here) pouncing on his big cousin and her playing back. We just captured this part on camera

When Arlie got too rowdy, she corrected him lovingly but firmly

Jessie is such a love and misses her Arlie so much

Then there's Cooper, Arlie's best friend. We had him a couple of weeks ago when his family went to the beach. He and Arlie have been BFFs since both were 12 weeks old. They would wrestle so much that it got to the point when they were so exhausted they only lifted their front leg to paw the other on the face while laying down. They couldn't even stand anymore they were so exhausted from romping! At any rate, Cooper is a Wheaten Terrier. Therefore, his nose is quite strong and he has been known to sniff out food and other delectable treats (dirty diapers, garbage, underwear, etc..), thus getting him in trouble. Before they left, his parents kept telling us, "Do not leave food out on the counter...he will find it. If you can't find him, look for him! He might be getting into something!" They call Coop-ster their "needy wheaty". You get the hint, don't leave him alone. Well, when we had him I realized when I looked down there was no Cooper. "Uh oh, I left him alone and now he's eating the kid's favorite toys and they are going to scream and say that Cooper needs to go in time out and that 'what he did was unacceptable'". I bounded through the house and couldn't find him. Then I heard him stretching and I follow the sound to the living room. He had decided to not be with me in the kitchen and joined Arlie's ashes in the living room. He spent the rest of the week laying beside his best friend. He truly was Arlie's best friend to the end.

My point is that it's not only us grieving. Dogs grieve too.

I hope to update the blog this week with an announcement and picture of our newest family member. I will reveal the name once we get the official word.

Until then,
Love and paws,
Andrea and angel Arlie

Pitter patter of little feet?

Tomorrow is the one month anniversary of Arlie's death. It has been a very hard month for us. Everytime we start to feel better, we find something that reminds us of Arlie. It is kind of amazing that Arlie has visited all of our dreams this past month. I told you about Jackson's dream already. A week after his dream, Greg had a dream that he was curled up next to Arlie in bed. He told me it felt so real and he woke up calmed. I was starting to hope that Arlie would visit me in my dreams and then...he did! I dreamt that we had decided to get new hardwood floors throughout the house (random) and in one spot they forgot to put wood and there was a huge hole. As I was on all fours peering down the hole a schnoodle nose came up along the side of me. He lay down next to me watching me and nudging me with his nose. I remember thinking in my dream that this was, infact, a dream and wondering if I would be able to feel him since it wasn't real. He was looking at me and I decided to try and when I put my hand on his ears and neck I got to feel Arlie one more time. It was amazing. I remember thinking, "This is a dream and it isn't real but I don't care I never want it to end". I then laid down next to Arlie and he curled into me making his happy schnoodle noises he used to make. This time, it was my turn to wake up with a smile.

The day I woke up from that amazing dream, I found out that we will be schnoodle parents once again. In mid August it has almost been confirmed that Arlie's half sister will give birth to a litter of pups! That means, the Hayken household will hear the pitter patter of four little feet in mid/late October!!! We told the owner to give Malaya (the birth mom) extra treats from us. After all, Malaya is growing our little heart band aid in there!!! She deserves serious treats for that right?!?!?!?

Now, as you know Arlie's real name is "Arlington" after the city Greg and I were married and lived when we got Arlie Bear. We have since moved out of  Arlington and already have a name for our next pup already! It's going to be good. We will let you know once we have the little pup in our hands.

Jackson has already proclaimed this new puppy will be his "best buddy" and Gia has said that he will be "her newest pillow pet". Naturally Greg and I are super excited as well. You know who else is super excited???? My readers, friends, and family, neighbors, and a part of Arlie I think. He knows we have more love to give and wants us to be his happy humans. This new pup is going to be one loved and VERY wanted little guy.

Carry on.....

Love and Paws,
Andrea and angel Arlie

Message from a schnoo

My son came into my room yesterday with a big smile on his face. He told me he had a wonderful dream about Arlie. In his dream, the whole family was watching Arlie play with an angel and having such a great time. When they were finished playing, they went back up to the stars but not before Arlie let Jackson pet him one more time.

When Jackson first told me this story, I had to hide my tears because naturally it made me sad. Then, I thought about it all day and slept on it last night. This morning I went up to Jackson and said, "Honey, I've been giving a lot of thought to the dream you had with Arlie. I think it was Arlie's way of telling you he is happy and feels healthy and is ok so that you can stop feeling sad about him being gone."  Jackson's face lit up. He told me again what a great dream it was and I told him how lucky he was to be chosen out of everyone in the family that Arlie paid a visit. Arlie must have loved him so very much to go to him first. 

The kids keep asking about a new dog. I told him we are getting one but have to wait for the perfect dog that I know Arlie will pick out for us and that it probably isn't born just yet. We are waiting for a much wanted pregnancy confirmation of Arlie's half sister. Therefore, we would be getting Arlie's neice/nephew. Wouldn't that be wonderful??? The very thought of it makes me smile. I can't get a thought of a brown dog with a white chest out of my head.

I was cleaning behind the couch today and found 2 of Arlie's favorite toys. I started to get blue all over again. One step forward, two steps back. I know this sounds strange, but Greg and I keep seeing Arlie on quick glances and hearing him thump around our halls. When I go for a run, I see him running beside me with his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth all long and pink. Greg and I think little angel Arlie is waiting until a new pup comes along to fill the doggy void. Sounds crazy as I type it. Man, we miss him.

Today was just so....final

I picked up Arlie's ashes today. I wasn't expecting to walk into the Hope Center and have my heart racing and my palms sweaty....but they were. It seems like it's just so final. Arlie is gone but his legacy lives on.

To date we have collected $1176 in Arlie's name for canine cancer research. Donations came in nationwide in support of a schnoodle who gave so much and was so strong. I'm so proud of you Arlie Bear. You did it.

Almost halfway to our goal!!!

I just can't believe it. I logged onto the Friends are the Cure site today and we are almost half way to our goal of $1000.

Let me just say...to those that have donated just from learning about Arlie through this blog, I have no words to express my thanks and sincere gratitude. It is just amazing how Arlie is bringing out such generosity from people he hasn't even met!!!! I was saddened to see that some of those wonderful people who have donated have also experienced loss of their furry friend.

Let's have a moment to think of not only Arlie. But also Bennie, Nero, and Peaches. You will forever live in our hearts and the pain of you being gone is still so strong. However, your owners and I are going to carry on just as you would want us to.

If you have a spare moment (and spare change) please consider donating to the fight against canine cancer.

www.wearethecure.org/friends/arliesarmy

Kind regards,
Andrea and angel Arlie