Thanks so much, Iowa_Jade. I miss my work and my gardens like crazy, but you and others here have kept my spirits up with your kindness. Your shrine is going to be stunning (I was going to say "divine", but I don't want to do that to anyone this early in the morning). Alana, thank you and I'm glad you found it. We're on Facebook as Humpty Dumpty House Foundation. There's another Humpty Dumpty Foundation (no House), but they're in Australia and have a zillion likes. You can't miss ours -- it's all about gardens and garden design. Rocksnroses mentioned posting a request for likes, but I noticed that most fb pages already have an option on the upper left to "Invite your friends to like this page". It's missing on the Humpty Dumpty House Foundation page, and I'm hoping someone here knows how to fix that? I've scoured Facebook for an answer. Apparently others on fb have the same problem, but nobody has found a solution. I've been told people can also invite their friends by clicking the "share" icon near the top, but that's not self-evident. If anyone knows a solution, please let me know. Also, I'm posting a link to our Facebook below. Here is a link that might be useful: Facebook Page for Humpty Dumpty House

Jan, I have often thought when one has been through hard times for many years with someone, the grief of how we would like things to be starts way back then. It's pieces of grief over and over again, so when that person passes, perhaps we've already done alot of grieving of losses we might have had with them. Relief is probably to be expected, too. I love your idea of a list of good memories you remember with her. Susan, I am thinking of your family today. We are also having dinner with our DIL & Son who lost their baby...hold each other close & time will heal the fresh sadness. Liz

I spoke with a lawyer this week, sorry for not updating sooner but it's been a rough time for me lately... Anyway, I can't remember which poster said he/she had a 'gut feeling' that there is no legal provision for self defence in animals, but that seems to be the most simplified explanation of the situation. Yes, the family member is an adult. He is actually my father. I'm 19 years old and trust me it's surely been a difficult time for me. My dad has changed his 'story' a few times since the bite happened, and it's hard to get anything straightened out. It's turning into a division in the family which is just compounded the already painful situation. Honestly I dont think there is anything that can be done for Lucky. The day after the bite, the officer who came to the house (my mom had to sign ownership of Lucky over to her) called our home and she explained that we would be receiving a call from the Department of Health to explain why Lucky has to be put down. When the representative from the D. of H. called I didn't speak to her, but apparently she essentially explained that the laws in our county are strict regarding second dog bites, and it is mandated that a dog who causes 2 "severe injuries" (the second bite didnt even require stitches so I wouldnt think it would be considered severe but I of course am a layperson) must be put down. I'm trying really hard to move forward and try not to dwell on this. Lucky was techincally my younger sister's dog and she is having a very hard time, understandably so. She is a junior in high school, and all of this occured during final exams week for her. Hopefully my family will have learned *something* from this awful series of events... maybe that some animals just aren't meant to be the pets we want them to be.. other than that I'm not really sure what 'good' can come of this. I guess I'm just glad that he didn't harm anyone more severly than he did. 99% of the time he was an affectionate and adorable dog, and it's just that 1% that proved impossible to extinguish. Fortunately I just obtained a summer job for my hiatus from college, so hopefully that will help me to keep my mind off all of this. It's the only coping strategy Ive come up with.

My Dad died in 1987 at the age of 60. The next day I found out I was pregnant with Amanda. My Mom died in my arms and I tried cpr til the ambulance came 13 years ago this August. I can honestly say, I thought I was going to lose my mind. The pain was so debilitating at times. I got on the computer and played solitaire and other mindless games. Mindless, mind numbing, so I didn't have to think. I had good days and bad days. I thought the guilt was going to eat me alive. I couldn't sleep for months because I DID relive that night repeatedly in my dreams. There's nothing, nothing anyone can say. Nothing takes the ache, the void away. Only time. And time only eases it so that when you do think of her the pain doesn't floor you. God bless you, God help you deal with your grief. I'm very sorry for your loss.