Unfortunately, bad luck struck again! This time both babies hatched. The first one on a Wed, and the second on Thurs. Wed baby was doing quite well, but Thurs baby never made it completely out of the shell. I don't know if it was still alive or if it died, but that friday, I snapped a picture of them was horrified to see a fly in the nest. It was as big as the egg. It might have been one of those biting flies. I don't know, but I think it killed the babies. Come Saturday morning, the mama wasn't around anywhere. I snapped a pic, and both babies were comepletely shriveled like mummies. It was horrific! I saw the momma later in the day flying around and haven't seen her since. How sad, all of the mamma's hard work for nothing! Tania

It just breaks my heart to read posts like this. Our pets are such a wonderful part of our lives and its gut wrenching when they pass away. My thoughs and prayers are with you Pauline and Ann. Time does heal and one day you will feel the urge to find another pet. For me it was much like LindaC. Our Gretchen passed away about one month after my Mother left this earth and I also felt like I needed some time but boy it was so hard to come home to an empty home. As if guided by a higher power I went to a pet shop for just inquire about a breed and I fell head over heals with a pen of puppies. But I wasn't sure it would fly with the family as they too were greiving. I went back to that pet store 3 times before I was sure. Abbee and Apollo bring me joy every day....I know that in time both of you will find a pet that will fill that hole in your heart. PEACE! Susie

Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. Consider youselfs hugged,when I lost my Piper this last summer at nearly 14 I got the following 2 messages and thought I'd share with you. I don't know the author of the poem, it was not with the message as I saved it. A Star Sign from your recently departed loved one... I have used the star three times in my life, it had worked every time. I used it when I lost both my parents and July 1996 when I lost my Golden Retriever, Tammy. Part of the blood that flows through my veins is Native American. What I'm about to tell you was told to me many years ago by a wise old lady. I believe I must share it with people who have lost their dog because I know of the great pain they are going through. The following will not work if it is a false gesture on your part. You must have loved your dog when he was alive and upon his death you feel like your heart has been ripped from your body. When a loved one passes they must take a long and lonely journey. The following will tell you how to know if their journey was a success. Go into the night , the first clear night in your area. Go to a spot where there is no noise, to go. Close your eyes and think of all the wonderful things that you and your dog did together, talk to your dog as if he was right by your side, tears will flow like a giant river---all at once you will feel a strange sensation, it will feel as if your dog is sitting right by you. At this point open your eyes and look to the sky. Look all over the sky but mostly in the North North East portion. All at once you will see a blinking star, it will be the brightest and warmest one in the whole sky, it will draw your attention to it. At that point close your eyes, then open them again. If you see that star again you will know your dog has had a successful journey. This star will stay in the same spot every night. It will stay there until your grieving is over, then if will disappear never to be seen by you again until you too have made a successful journey. When you go to the bridge you will also put this star into the sky. Look for the star, your dog is waiting to give you the sign. and the poem Please don't shed tears for me When I am in my grave. Think of all the fun we had And all the love I gave. I showed you only happiness, So why now should you weep? I gave you many happy days And memories to keep. We were very loyal friends, Our love was strong and true. I thanked God every single day For a master as loving as you. I knew when you needed me Or when to stay behind. Your touch was strong but gentle; Your voice was warm and kind. Don't shed your tears for me When my time is through. I'm waiting by heaven's gate To spend eternity with you. Ellie

Thank you all so much. This certainly isn't the first time I've gone thru this and it won't be the last. I believe I have lost 10 or 11 pets in my lifetime and it never gets any easier. Even tho I have five remaining indoor cats, this guy was special. I got him from a friend over 19 years ago. She saw an abused kitten and took it home. When she went to have her neutered she was already pregnant even tho she was tiny and about 6 months old. Her name was Mouse and she was a torti. She had four kittens and my daughter who just graduated college wanted one. So I went down with her and told the friend if a certain orange kitten gave me any special attention, I would take him home. DD picked a black and white who she named Charlie. (He died at 12). The little orange kitten ran over and licked my nose. So we put them in the car in carriers and they both howled the whole way home and pooped in their crates. Both were demanding cats but very lovable. Louie was king and knew it. When I rescued Henry two years ago, Louie remained in charge even tho he was never a big cat...8 pounds and got down to 6 at the end .Henry weighs 19. It's rather subdued here tonight . After we buried Louie in a wildflower garden, I was putting flowers on his grave and got stung by one of my bees on the forehead. I thought that was odd since we have had a hive of bees for 18 years and i have never been stung before..