Yesterday I lost my second pet this year.
My dogs are older and now we're entering the "great die off" phase. It was just wonderful when they were lively young pups but unfortunately, they were all about the same age. And now...
I lost a 12 year old suddenly at the end of January as a result of a nasty case of valley fever that caused organ failure. He was such a character, naughty and sweet - the best boi. I'd had him since he was a puppy.
Yesterday I lost my 14 year old that I adopted when he was just a year old. He was such a love - he had a special song I sang to him every morning when I was getting dressed. The house is empty without him.
And now I have 6. The oldest is 16 and spry as a puppy but with a chronic cough. Two others are 15, one is 14, another 11, and my baby is 7. One of the 15 year old pups misses the boy I lost yesterday - they were buds and poor girl is very confused and needs a lot of attention today.
My big mistake was adopting - actually foster failing - with dogs about the same age. Now it's hitting...and hitting hard.
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Nothing hurts like when one of our furkids departs the mortal coil for the Bridge.
Im so sorry. 
It's so hard and it never gets easier. Valley fever is a horrible thing for dogs and for some people too. It seems like more and more dogs are getting it. I heard on the news a couple of weeks ago that they might have a vaccine for dogs by the end of this year. One for people will take longer to test and to be approved if anything like that will even happen under this administration. Anyway, just enjoy each of your pups every single day.
That’s the hardest part of love: when they pass and our having to let go. I think about it just about every day, even though our three cats still have time. They’re still relatively young.
But I’ve never forgotten the fur babies I’ve lost. Every single one. They do have a way of leaving a hole in your heart.
Dammit.
I lost two cats within a week of each other years ago. It was one of the hardest times in my life. I'll be keeping you and your family members in my thoughts, especially your sweet girl missing her bud.
All 3 of my dogs went over the rainbow bridge in a 3 year period. I miss them deeply and would love to get another dog, but we're renters and might have to move soon. My guys at the dog park a long time ago:
The two boys, Samson in the middle and Eightball on the right helped to raise the 3 cats we still have today. Nikki, the GSD on the left had passed a few months before the kittens were born. She had plenty of kitty sisters during her life though.
