I’m just not used to this.
The Dad Peep and I have been together for a long time. While navigating the brutal loss of our second beloved Scottie, it occurred to me: we’ve been dog peeps for the majority of our married life. And I had a puppy when we started dating.
Face it, we’re dog people. Childfree by choice. Dog peeps by choice. For the most part, we’ve always been a family of three.
The jolt of becoming a family of two last December, was just that. A jolt.
The fearsome threesome at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s “Gardenfest” 2015. Stuart says, “I know you’ve got treats in your pocket. Hand ’em over.”
We were inseparable. And with us (the two-legged ones) both working from home, that’s quite a lot of time to spend together. Quite. A. Lot.
When BoBo passed, I was working in an office. I can now say that I never fully understood what my better half went through when he found himself alone at home back then.
Now I understand. Because, until recently, Dad Peep worked at a client location during the day. He did that for several years. So, it was Stuart and I. At home. The two of us.
No more being mad at each other and asking Stuart to “tell your Daddy I’m going to the store and will be back in a while. Just in case he wonders where I am.” Stuart would look at me and tilt his head: “Huh? Tell him yourself”.
No more “boy I can’t wait to get home to Stuart” after a vacation that most people would want to last forever.
No more of a lot of things.
But one thing’s for sure. The two of us are inseparable. Wandering aimlessly around sometimes, wondering why Stuart had to leave us, but inseparable.
Thanks Dad Peep. For helping me through this.
I’ve got your back, too.
The Scottie Chronicles - Winston's World 
I know the feeling.
❤️
We have led similar lives, wouldn’t have it any other way (minus the heartbreak of losing our furkids). We believe we are the guardians of them until they are able to run free like someone left the gate open. Having each other’s back is critical and you are so blessed. Not everyone “gets this”.
It’s hard to do alone. I’m glad you have each other to navigate it together. 💔
It is heart breaking to lose a pup. They are pure love. Love and healing to both of you. xo ~ Kona’s mom, Lori
Thank you for sharing what many feel but cannot put into words after the loss of their furbabies. I am so glad that you have each other to turn to for support.
this was so beautiful….you are blessed to have each other (((hugs)))
DakotasDen
I rescued Corky one month after my husband died. She gave me a reason to get up each morning. The others followed over the years.
I have gone it alone and gosh the drive home and entering the house with no one there to greet you just takes your breath away. Many days I just sat inside the door on the floor and cried for hours.
Lee
I can relate entirely. We, too, made a choice to only have fur kids, and our lives revolve around them (also by choice). So, for 36 of our 37 years of marriage, we have had 1 – 3 dogs at any given time, and we currently have dogs # 6 and 7. As painful as each of the 5 losses we’ve endured has been (one lived to almost 18!), and though we always say we never, ever want to go through the terrible grief again, we have not yet stopped bringing in yet another for us to love with all our hearts (and spoil rotten, which they so deserve).
On a related note, even though we’ve been married for 37 years, we both wonder if we could get along if it was only the two of us! Hopefully we won’t be putting that to the test anytime soon. 😃
From reading this wonderful blog, I feel like I knew Stuart, and his passing pains me. I think a lot of it has to do with how very much you loved him and lived through him, so I read your words and feelings (which are conveyed so well) and I can relate 100%. Stuart was truly an extension of you and your lives!
Huge hugs to you, Peepstress, and to Dad Peep, and thank you so much for sharing Stuart with all of us and allowing us to get to know him. He was truly special! 🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾
Oh gosh, we know what you mean………there’s always been a dog or 3 in our lives. We’ve never been “alone” for long. Spoiling them rotten is something we do well.
with us its always a bunny,and Speedy is number 3,I wouldn’t have it any other way either.I just couldn’t imagine not having a bunny in our life,xx Rachel
Everything you expressed is familiar to us. Thank you for writing it down, because I had never seen it in writing and it really hit me! I’m so glad we’re all in this together! I really need all of the understanding I can get….and please don’t forget…I have all of your backs! Thank you, Stu’s Mum, for your fine expression of such complicated and deep emotions!
Love,
Riley-Puppy’s and Tessie-Girl’s Mum
to be a team is the most important thing after a loss… and I agree with you two can be a darned lonely number… we felt lost and lonesome too as we had to walk without n°3… but at least we two were together to share our sorrows and the tears…
We so understand. It takes some of us a long time to be able to move on. Our pups mean the world to us.
I totally understand and applaud you for putting it out there for all of us identify with. I still talk to Lilly sometimes and probably always will. She was one of my “heart dogs” as I’m sure Stuart was for you. But one day, a new little wiggle-butt puppy will come into your life and you’ll fall in love all over again. Until then, my friend, there will be a really empty space in your life. I’m so glad you have each other.
so, so touching. thank you for sharing this.
aaww that is true love sweet friend. We feel the same here at the Hotel Thompson. Me and the hub don’t have children also by choice. We have four legged children that are always under foot and always discussed in our plans. We wouldn’t want it any other way. Those little anipals wiggle their ways in our heart forever and always. XOXO – Bacon’s MOM
What a sweet post. Just know it’s okay to get #3
Lily & Edward
I totally get it. We are a small pack. ❤
What a great post. I, too, made the choice just to have fur kids. And so during my marriage and after my marriage ended, I have had Scotties. 36 years of Scotties in my life. I am on #5 with Nick. And even with the heartbreak of losing those special Scotties, I wouldn’t do it any different. Each one has left an indelible mark in my heart. And, Stuart, left his mark to so many of us through this blog. I am so glad that I had him too!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our dogs are our fur-kids too. We just went through cancer with our oldest dog and it is just so difficult, and something that not everyone understands. Hang in there!
Thanks for your kindness. Thinking of you as well. Tough.
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