“If you’re going through hell, keep going” — Winston Churchill
Maggie was the first dog I owned that always took time on our walks to stop and smell the flowers. -- Photo by Pat Bean
I guess I’m going to survive the loss of my Maggie. I was looking for a quote on grief and came across the above one by good old Sir Winnie – and I laughed.
Of course I also cried when I came across these words from an unknown author: “Without tears, the soul would have no rainbows.”
This one's for you Maggie. -- Photo by Pat Bean
I’m so very thankful that I had loved ones around trying to distract me from my sorrow. I got two free lunches and learned how to use a game controller the past three days while hiding out from my blog and from working on my travel book.
I’m also extremely thankful for my Cloud World of writing and blogging friends. While each of your heartfelt words started the tears anew, the virtual hugs that came with them helped me tremendously.
It’s the first time I’ve turned to others during a bad time in my life. My usual tactic is to run away and hide and bare my sorrow in solitude. It seemed easier that way, but I was wrong.
Even so, last night was the first time I’ve ever felt alone since I moved into my RV. So, in honor of, and meaning no disrespect to Maggie, I’ve already started looking for a new pet.
Like Maggie, it will be a dog needing rescued. My druthers are a 20-25 pound, one to two-year-old female canine that likes to be walked, wants to travel, isn’t averse to being spoiled rotten, and likes to cuddle. Chocolate brown eyes that melt your heart, as Maggie’s did mine, would be a plus.
Pat Bean's blog 
My Romeo said last night, ” I hope your friend gets another dog quickly-it will ease her pain.” I remembered my own sorrow when I lost my Gilligan afer 17+ years…I swore I’d never get another dog and aquired Angus a week later!
Still sending hugs your way! Can’t wait to see you again next month!
Thanks for the kind words and I’m taking your Romeo’s advice. Looking forward to seeing you, too.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
Keep us updated on the search. We’ll all be her uncles and aunties, you know!
Just this side of Heaven lies the Rainblow Bridge.
When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge. It makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling hills and peaceful, lush meadows.
Our pets do not thirst or hunger. The old and the sick are made young once more; the maimed and the ill become healed and strong. They are as healthy and playful as we remember them in days gone by.
Though happy and content, they still miss someone very special, someone they had to leave behind.
Together, the animals chase and play, but the day comes when a pet will suddenly stop and look into the distance….bright eyes intent, eager body quivering. Suddenly recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the green field and into your embrace. You celebrate in joyous reunion. You will never again separate. Happy tears and kisses are warm and plenty, your hands caress the face you missed. You look once more into the eyes of your loving pet and you know you never really parted. You realize that out of sight, your love has been remembered.
And now you cross the Rainbow Bridge together…….
[M.A. Preston]
This little story was given to us when our precious cat, George, left us last year. Hope it brings you the comfort it brought to us.
Lovely thoughts Pat. Let’s see: I’m going to be greeted by Blackie, my very first dog, whose fur absorbed my childish tears when I was sad and hid beneath a huge hedge in my grandmother’s yard; Kitterik, a calico cat that adopted our family and who was the first cat I liked; Imp, a large siamese with an overbite and bright blue eyes that was the first family pet that preferred me over other family members (several other dogs and cats that I took care of but who liked other family members best), Rev, a cute, adorable mutt who, despite being neutered, always found a way to escape when a female bitch was in heat, and always came home three days later worn out, beat up, and bedraggled, Chigger, a cat who was dumped into by lap on Christmas eve 1982 by my son. Someone had dumped the tiny kitten out up Sardine Canyon on a snowy night. “Merry Christmas, Mom, my son said. Chigger and I were together for the next 17 years, Peaches, the dog whom I lost the same year I lost Chigger and the same year I got Maggie. I thought no dog would every worm it’s way so deeply into my heart as Peaches — but Maggie proved me wrong. Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
Pat, everything Maggie was is everything she wished for you and that includes finding another fur baby to love and enyjoy life with… Hugs
We are thinking about getting another cat, but George was, as they say ‘the cats meow’. He was as close to human as ever. You are sooo correct, they do worm their little way into our lives and souls.
Keep the sunny side up, up, keep the sunny side up. [I am singing this song as I type].
I commend you for finding a new friend as soon as possible. I understand that some cannot do it for a while. But knowing the love of your pet and knowing another friend is out there waiting for you makes me believe I will do the same when Izzy and Shadow pass (14 and 12year old-Schnauzers). We follow your blog.
So sorry to hear this Pat, we lost Rosie over a year ago, and still find the house empty when we get home. Our travels have put on hold a new friend at the moment so I hope you find one soon.
Take Care,
Jim
You probably already know, I did find a new canine traveling companion through the Houston Beagle Rescue. She and I seem perfectly suited. I simply couldn’t take how lonely I felt in my RV without a furry friend. Hopefully we’ll have many years of travel together ahead of us. Thanks for your kind thoughts Jim.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
I think Maggie would want you to have another companion as soon as possible. She knows you’ve got a lot of love to give and wants you to keep giving it, Pat.
Pat, we lost Mindy, my Australian Shepherd-Collie, in December. We had adopted her from the local Hum. Soc. when her family could no longer keep her. Although she was 6 yo at the time, I trained her to be my service dog, but she was so much more during the 6 1/2 years we had her before cancer took her suddenly from us. For two weeks, I thought my heart would surely give out from the pain of her absence, and I experienced “keening” for the first time in my life, even though I’d lost human family members before. Two weeks after Mindy’s death, we adopted a rescue dog, a Border Collie-Pit Bull mix, named Paige. She is physically SO different from Mindy–different color, different breeds, less than half Mindy’s size/weight; but she is intelligent, quick and eager to learn, and a 100% lovebug! I believe that the best legacy we could give Mindy is to give another dog in need a forever home. So, no, it’s not disrespectful to Maggie for you to be searching for another canine companion so soon. Just the opposite! The new dog won’t take Maggie’s place, but will help to fill the empty hole in your heart and will ease you through the grieving process. Somewhere out there is a lucky little dog who will soon have a loving home with you. Hugs, Donna & Paige
so many thoughts running through my mind Pat…. excellent post, first of all….
can definitely relate to running and hiding and not reaching out with loss, i call it caving…i would literally go into my cave and lick my wounds …with some losses it took another creature that need rescuing to get me out….so i hear you dear one i hear you and feel your pain
next i thought ahhhhh reporters are like that arent they? hard to reach out to people unless they are getting the story of course…i am partnered to an old newspaper reporter and editor and so well understand ….
then of course the rescue dog in your future…lord knows there are plenty out there… please let me know if you want any help finding one…with my links nationwide i know I can help you take a look and see what you see…
meantime blessings dear woman- and love…little Maggie will be missed by so many, and it is absolutely no disrespect to find another quickly- my dogs always send me a new heart string baby to help fill my soul with joy
love you Pat and keep on keepin’ on
chery
Thanks for all the kind words and advice Chery.. If you’ve read today’s blog you know I already found her. She’s a perfect fit for me. And Yup, you’ve got me tagged. I’m an old reporter and editor. It’s must easier to tell someone else’s story than live through your own. Thanks for coming with me on my journey.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
ah Pat I am so happy for you- thrilled! welcome to the precious Princess Meghan- what a lucky girl to have found you – and it is a pleasure to travel with you~
Chery
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a pet – they are so loyal and loving and it hurts a lot. But you gave her a good home and a happy life and that is really important.
Pat, I saw this post earlier in the BBTCafe emails – sorry it took so long for me to stop by. I’ve lost several best friends over the course of my life and it always sucks. People who don’t have pets don’t understand that those animals are family and mean so much. I’m sorry Maggie is no longer with you.
Thanks Alex. I appreciate your kind words.
I’ve lost dozens of special needs cats in the last 20 years, and the best way to ease the pain is caring for others. I think it’s wise to get another companion who needs a home, and the sooner the better. I’ll feel a lot more comfortable about you having a buddy on the road, and probably most everyone else will, too, Pat. I’m sure Maggie is on the other side barking her encouragement!
Thanks Dani. But Maggie more likely is looking down at me and saying: “Well if you must.” However my previous cocker, Peaches, whom I still carry in my heart, would be quite happy for me. Anything that made me happy made Peaches happy. On the other hand anything that made Maggie happy made Maggie happy. Such two different dogs and Princess Meghan is quite different from both of them, which I think is great. Anyway, thanks for all the kind words.
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I hope your new companion finds you soon, Pat.