Last week I shared a favorite photo of Sheba – “Beauty”, so this week I am sharing a recent favorite of Cricket and Luke.
I have just a few words on this Wordless Wednesday though. I am trying not to focus on Sheba’s cancer all the time, and constantly worry about how long she is going to be with us. But especially on the day when she had her surgery, I couldn’t help but worry about the future and what losing her would mean to Luke. Cricket has always been independent, so I don’t worry about her so much. Luke and Sheba are very close – they play all the time together, and are even seen occasionally snuggling.
Cricket focuses on ball playing and in the evening she is tired and doesn’t want Luke to bother her; but Sheba is usually up for some toy play or bitey face at that time. The day Sheba was gone for her surgery, Luke and Cricket played outside like normal, but when I came home later with Sheba from the vet, Luke was frantically looking for her. Since she occasionally goes to the groomer for the day he wasn’t worried about her until I left and came back later in the day; then he was looking for her.
When Luke was a puppy, he and Cricket wrestled together all the time (as seen in this post from January 2014), but as he got bigger and closer to Sheba’s size, he started playing more with Sheba. During Sheba’s recovery time last month, when she couldn’t play, I did see Luke and Cricket playing together more than once. Not just out in the yard as seen in these photos, but one time they were romping around on the bed, and another lying in front of the wood stove playing tug with a toy. Those moments meant a lot to me as I felt a little more sure that these two will be OK in time after Sheba is gone – though we still hope that day is very far in the future.
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Sorry I’m so late responding to this post! I’ve been pretty much out of touch this past week.
I love the pix of Luke and Cricket! They will be okay together. It still hurts not having Callie here with us physically; but Ducky has been really trying to be Shadow’s friend over the last few months. I can tell Shadow really misses Callie a lot at times but at least she isn’t moping around the house like she had been. She plays with Ducky more now. And she’s happy again for the most part. (Except when we have to leave her home alone, or with Ducky. But I think the easy-listening music channel on tv makes her feel better than just a quiet house would.)
When I mentioned to our vet – back when he first diagnosed Callie’s cancer – that I was worried about how Shadow would adjust to life without her sister, he said she would be okay after a while. He also said Ducky would probably go through a maturation process of her own and start being nicer to Shadow. Sure enough, he was right on both counts.
I know you know I’m here if you need to talk. And Callie is still watching over Sheba, just as she has been since the surgery.
Thank you, Sue. It does make me feel better to hear that…and I’m so glad that Shadow is finally adjusting and feeling some better. Sheba got over the loss of her brother Moses fairly quickly, but I think it made a difference that she still had two other siblings to help her. She stuck closely to me for a couple of weeks but other than that we didn’t notice much. I hope it goes as easy for Luke and Cricket.
Enjoy each and every day you have with all your furry babies and give them plenty of cuddles and enjoyable experiences. Your dogs sound very precious, very loved and also bonded with each other. You are here to give them the best time and in return get so much pleasure from them all. Take care.
That is exactly what we plan to do….thank you!!
I love the way Cricket is gazing up at him in that first photo.
This post made me teary, it’s so sad thinking about losing them and then wondering how the remaining pets will handle the loss. We can talk about it, share our sadness but they don’t have that same outlet. I hope you know I’m here to listen if you ever need an ear.
I do know, Jodi, and thank you so much. ♥
Don’t you wish there was some way to explain to them… the unexplainable. LeeAnna at not afraid of color
These pictures are so precious! I hope Sheba’s surgery was successful and that she has much time left with you, Cricket and Luke!
Those are such cute photos of Cricket and Luke. I know it hard but try not to worry about Sheba, just enjoy each day and you might be surprised she may live a great number of years!
I hope you are right! We are doing all we can to keep her feeling well, so you never know.
I love the way they are looking at each other. So much love!!
What sweet pictures. Maybe Crickett and Luke will become closer?
The photos are just wonderful and so touching. It’s so hard. As much as I love that Dakota and Cody are close….I often worry about what will happen when one of them isn’t here 🙁
(((hugs)))
They are so cute! I love the look on Cricket’s face! She’s precious!
I don’t blame you for worrying about them and Sheba. I would be a mess. ~hugs~
Thank you, Lauren! I do have those days when I am a mess, but as long as she’s feeling well I do OK most of the time.
Our first two dogs were bonded in a special way. When Loki died it was very hard on Gemini but she recovered. Wishing your pack the best.
Thank you! I know that whatever happens, they will be OK in the long run, just like we will have to be. I imagine they probably adjust more quickly than we humans do.
All three of these photos are just precious, for different reasons of course. Sending hugs and good thoughts for today as these three enjoy each other’s company.
Don’t get me started – #waterworks Harley grieved for quite a while after Leo left. There wasn’t much I could do but be patient. Prayers that this subject is way too premature. #sendinghugs
I love the photos – I had no idea Luke had such long legs. His nick name should be “stretch” Oh how I wish I could meet him in person one day. Take care my friend. Know there are many out here for you – always
Ha, you are so right about Luke’s long legs, and I mentioned that in the post about his crate on Thursday…how he can stretch all the way in there to reach his toy so he doesn’t have to go all the way in!
Thank you for being here for me and for your prayers…I hope it is a long time before we have to deal with this.
That top photo is gorgeous! Since Shiner is an only dog, I’ve never had to worry about that. But, I did think about how she might be affected when my Mom passed away. Shiner really liked her and she mostly lived with us for a few years. I thankfully did not notice anything, other than Shiner trying to befriend my Dad more since her passing.
I’m glad Shiner did OK. I imagine it can be just as difficult for them to lose a human in their lives as another dog. Everyone is a pack member to them.
This post struck way too close to home. Bentley went into a depression along with us when Tucker died. Thankfully, Pierre came to live with us a few weeks later. I will never have only one dog again. They need their best dog friends. I’m sure that Cricket and Luke will depend on each other too. Hopefully, that is a long time from now. ♥
Our beagle Kobi took it very hard when our Lab mix Maggie died too. They were the only two we had, and we were scrambling to find another dog to keep Kobi company. He could not stand being alone. There were no day cares back then, or we would have taken him there! Our elderly neighbors helped us out though, so he was with them when we were working, until we found Cricket a couple months later.
They look really happy together in that first photo.
My bipeds were worried a while ago when one of our cats needed rest because they’re always playing together, but the other one understood.
I think animals can sense these things, don’t you? When our elderly beagle Kobi was sick, the other dogs really gave him a lot of space and respect; but they also spent a lot of time just sleeping right next to him and keeping him company, even Luke who was just a puppy at the time.
They are so cute together. I always wonder if these guys would miss each other, I think they would.
I can only imagine how hard it would be to not worry about something like that. Next to impossible I would say!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I pray Sheba will be with you for a lot longer.
It is so difficult not to worry but we always try not to worry until it is time to worry. I would imagine both Luke and Cricket will have their own ways of coping when the time comes, but at least they will have each other to lean on (and play with). Until then, enjoy the moments when Luke and Sheba are together.
Thank you, Oz, we will do just that…and try to put the worry aside for now as much as we can!
Dogs are pack animals and they understand more than we think. Luke is probably aware that Sheba is not well so it will be interesting to see how he does as her health declines. It’s no doubt that he will mourn when she does pass but he will understand why. Love Dolly
I think you are right, Dolly….I think dogs do understand. Luke did seem a little different with Sheba after her surgery…it was almost like he knew that he had to be more gentle with her.
Those are great pictures. I am sure it will be hard on Luke at first, but dogs live in the moment and hopefully that will be true for Luke. Cricket may surprise you though.
Just like people, some fit together better than others. Katie and I have a bond like no other and Mom often wonders what I will do without her one day. Bailie seems to have a big bond with cat bro Bert. We cross our paws that Sheba and Katie have a long time left with our families.
All paws are crossed here for Sheba and Katie as well, Emma. I think having other pets in the household can help a lot. I thought Sheba would take her brother Moses’ death hard, but other than sticking more closely to me for a while afterwards, she did OK. Our beagle Kobi took the death of his sister Maggie very hard, but they were the only two dogs in the household at the time and I think being alone was the toughest part for him.