Thank you Flower_garden, he has already made a difference to my life after only one day. Gordon
I can so relate to your post. All my friends are still married and work or take care of young grandchildren. We meet up for coffee now and then but it’s so lonely. It feels like my life is over but I pretend so I don’t make others feel uncomfortable. I miss my Derek so much it hurts. I don’t know how others cope but I just can’t see myself going on like this for year after lonely year. He died on 3rd July 2021, the day after the 49th anniversary of us meeting. 6th December is the first birthday since I was 16 that I will spend without him. I can’t even think of Christmas - he used to love it so.
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Welcome to the wonderful world of greyhound adoptees. They are the most loyal, lazy, friendly dogs you could ever wish for. Upside down on a sofa is always their default setting. How I miss my hounds. Sadly I lost my hounds last year one just before my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and another 2 months before he died. How I could have done with them to help me through the dark days. One day when I am finally settled I will adopt one again and hopefully there will then be a chink of light to move towards. Take care of yourself and take some strength from every calming cuddle that unconditionally Dennis gives you.
No one can give you the comfort you yearn for and missing them hurts so much like a knife at times and it just goes on and on. Christmas is hard on many many people, those alone especially and those who have no one not a soul and that must be another dimension. At least we do have our family even though we pretend for them. Don’t always pretend as we need to let our feelings out too and I just wish I could say something to help you with your pain. Try to go out just for yourself to notice the birds the clouds the world in general it’s meant to be a boost and I know I always feel better than when I just hole up on my own. Hugs and warm wishes you are not alone in feeling how you do x
What lovely words. I love the picture too. I need to get my act together for my chocolate Lab. I will take to heart what you say and try to get out on my own. I just wish there was somewhere I could go in my area to meet up with people in a similar situation but I can’t find anything. I work two days a week but my colleagues aren’t in my situation so companionship outside of work is a non starter mostly.
Sorry for your loss of both dogs and a husband. I lost my dear wife on Christmas Day 2020 and it has taken me this long to be able to take responsibility for someone else. Some people will say they were only dogs but to you they were living breathing family just as much as any son or daughter. Stay strong and safe. Gordon
PS kind of difficult to cuddle him when he is flat out on the sofa, LOL.
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Hi Vicky, Zape looks a lovely looking dog, must give you great comfort. It’s 20 years since we had a dog so everything is new again. First I gain his trust and then the affection will flow both ways spontaneously. Feel I am overpowering him with affection just now as he is so laid back I can’t believe he has settled in so quickly. Hope I’m not speaking too soon but signs are good. Take care and stay safe. Gordon
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Keep us up to date with progress! You two are going to be great, I can feel it in my bones!!
I’m so glad that Dennis is with you & it sounds like it’s really working well for you both.
Such a positive message from you, hopeful for us all
Best to you & Dennis
Maigret
nodrog
What a wonderful page you wrote Gordon, I was almost with you on your exciting journey to collect your Dennis, I am so pleased for you both, he seems to have settled well, and put a spring back into your step, I’m looking forward to reading about his progress so I hope you will keep us all up to date by writing more, you have sparked new hope, I’m so glad you have your new best pal, helping you in your new lifestyle, all the best to you both.
Hugs Chrissy3
That’s fantastic! So pleased for you x
I have a beautiful greyhound rescue she is my friend my everything since my husband passed 1year ago take care annie
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Hey Gordon
I love your post. Not sure what it’s got to do with anything else on this site but it’s cheerful and hopeful which is probably what we all need
Good luck with your new hound - love dogs but never been in one place long enough to have one.
Jo
Hi Auntie, What it has to do with the site is give people hope. My wife passed away on Christmas Day 2020, my son stays 40 mile away on the other side of the country, my brother stay s 30 miles away and my late wife’s family stay 20 miles away so as the header says EVERYTHING IS SOLO.
Adopting Dennis has been a lifesaver for me, I wrestled with myself throughout 2021 if I should take on the responsibility of another being as I had a very trying 2020 and was both physically and mentally exhausted. My life seemed to have no purpose, my family and friends all had life’s of their own and although I enjoyed visiting them it was the same end of day result, return to an empty cold home. Not heating cold but emotionally empty and cold. Memories are all I have of Elaine and although there are many and loving they are only memories.
Dennis has been with me only for a week but, as many on this site will testify, a solo walker is invisible to many out there. Now walking with my beautiful boy I am nodded to, smiled at and stopped to pat Dennis and exchange conversations with people who were previously strangers.
This is my new beginning for living as a life and not just an existance of day to day survival. What cuddling a warm breathing body again has done to me is beyond explanation and I don’t regret making this bold life changing decision. I have to go now because Dennis is at the bottom of the stairs whimpeing to tell me it’s walkies time again. I hope that people reading this understand what this means to me to have someone (yes I am naming Dennis as someone not something) caring for me and me caring for someone again.
Take care Gordon.
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Here, here Dennis, I for one think it’s good to hear that our grieving pals have found a reason to smile again, especially good to read when you are in the early stages of grief so you know there is hope that you could find something that gives you some pleasure again. 
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Dear Gordon,
Your very profound words echo my thoughts and what is in my heart. It’s beyond awful without our loved ones and like a lot of people I just don’t want to carry on without my beloved Derek. We were together for 49 wonderful years and have three grown up children and five granddaughters, so I am luckier than most but I’m so greedy - I wanted him for many more years. I don’t burden my family with my grief as they are struggling very much without him, and as one of my daughters and my son are nurses they have very stressful jobs. Derek was such a character. He was besotted with our chocolate Lab (Molly) and she adored him but her health seems to be failing now. I’m dreading Christmas, a time of year we used to love and 2022 holds no attraction as it will be a year where Derek has never existed. I ache for him.
I hope you find comfort wherever you can. Take care, Jacquie
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My husband died on 22nd September 2021 very suddenly. We got a border collie, Fletcher in June 2020. He gives me a reason to get out and about. My family have been fantastic but when they all leave, you’re not alone when you have an animal in the house.
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Sorry it’s late but hope your birthday was not too stressful. I never bothered about my birthday but always made a fuss of Elaine’s. My birthday passed unnoticed by me but I bought a cake and a couple of candles for Elaine’s birthday. Made a pot of her favourite tea, poured two cups, lit the candles, croaked happy birthday and poured two cups of tea. Nutty, sad and happy all in an instant. Be strong, these are only dates in a calendar, remember Derek every day and enjoy your memories. Stay safe. Gordon
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Hi Vicky, so many people interested in Dennis and our progress I will put up a general page so as not to repeat myself to those interested. Thanks for your support, Gordon
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