I didn’t want to fall in love with Seth.
I must admit, I tried very hard not to. I just couldn’t imagine opening my heart up again, knowing how much it hurts when it breaks.
It was a tough summer. Tough, actually, doesn’t even come close to describing it.
Discovering that our beloved 5-year-old big boy, Bismarck, had terminal cancer, and then losing him 8 short weeks later was thoroughly, completely and simply devastating for me, Steve and Ryder - and for our whole extended family, as well.
People would ask Steve and I if we were going to get another dog, but we couldn’t even think about trying to “replace” Bizzy. We decided that we would be a one dog family with our little baby girl Ryder.
Bizzy and Rydie had such a unique brother-sister relationship. They were best friends. Bizzy was such a protective big brother to Ryder, and never let another dog approach her without first scoping out the situation for himself. And Rydie looked up to her big brother so much, and learned so many things from him, like playing bally. We just couldn’t imagine bringing another dog into the family and confusing Ryder (yes, dogs come first in our family).
A little over a month after we lost Bismarck, we found out through Defenders of Animals that a 7-year-old lab mix named Seth needed a foster home. His family was moving and couldn’t take him.
Steve and I discussed it, and thought that fostering Seth would work out nicely. We weren’t ready to commit to adopting a new dog yet, but we would be happy about helping out another dog temporarily.
And that’s the mentality I tried to keep once we took Seth into our home. I gave him love, I paid lots of attention to him, I took him on walks and played with him… but I tried to keep myself from getting too attached.
Of course, Seth had a different plan. And I believe that Bismarck played a big part in that plan.
Ever since we lost Bizzy, I’ve asked him to send me signs that he is OK. I really do talk to him every day. And he has always given me those signs… the whisper in the wind, the sunshine in my hair. And I also believe that when I see sunflowers, that’s Bizzy saying, “Hi Mama! I’m with you!”
But I have also come to believe that Bizzy sent Seth to us.
Seth has so many characteristics that remind me of Bismarck. He loves affection. He love walks. He loves to snuggle on the couch - and snore. He sniffs food thoroughly before deciding to eat. He likes to tease Ryder by taking her toys. It’s almost like Bizzy knew that Seth would constantly be reminding us of him.
And Ryder and Seth have even developed their own unique relationship together. Different from the relationship that Ryder and Bismarck shared, but special all the same.
We have all fallen in love with Seth. And yes, he is now part of the family.
Permanently.
Yesterday Mom and I were out shopping and I spotted a greeting card with a huge sunflower on the front. I went over to the card and opened it. Inside it read simply: Thank you so very much
Was it Bizzy thanking me for being his Mama? Bizzy thanking me for embracing Seth?
Maybe a bit of both.
- Jane
26 responses so far ↓
1 Pinks & Blues Girls // Oct 26, 2007 at 10:10 am
Janie… No words can describe the loss of our beautiful Bizzy. No words but for “angel.” And as Biz romps his romp in heaven, he sends you and all of us his gentle reminders… each moment… to live and love and love and live some more. Yes, Biz did send us Seth! And what a gift from such a magnificent and beautiful angel…
Mom (Sharon) - Pinks & Blues Girls
2 Kai // Oct 26, 2007 at 10:32 am
Oh hurrah! Seth is truly adorable (and the biggest “cuddle” dog I’ve ever met!) and I’m SO happy Biz brought him to you guys!
That photo of them is TOO cute…look at those sweet faces!
3 Melissa R. Garrett // Oct 26, 2007 at 10:33 am
How could you NOT fall absolutely in love??!!
Congrats on the new addition
4 Katja // Oct 26, 2007 at 10:59 am
Bizzy is still taking care of you! I’m sure it was Bizzy who sent Seth to you. Who is soooo cute by the way, congrats on the new addition!
5 Lindsey // Oct 26, 2007 at 11:10 am
Welcome Seth! He is adorable. Congratulations!
6 Girl // Oct 26, 2007 at 11:39 am
Hi, I like your blog very much, that is why I’d like to invite you to be a part of a girls community . I will write a review about your blog and will put your link there. I also have a social network like digg, it is called NICE there you can add your posts.
I would be very happy if you joined us!
7 Stacey // Oct 26, 2007 at 11:46 am
Well done Jane! You listened and you took a chance and you know better than anyone you will NOT regret giving Seth a second chance. Can’t even imagine how confused he felt, but he sure did land in the right spot.
8 realworldmartha // Oct 26, 2007 at 11:58 am
We lost our Golden, at five, of cancer too. It was so hard. I can symathize. After two years without her we finally got another dog. A rescued chocolate lab that is blind in one eye. We fell in love with him and he is a joy. After a couple of months of having him my beloved kitty of 13 years past. (I wrote a post on her and it helped to pay tribute to the love she gave me). Pets mean so much don’t they?
Many blessings on your new family member,
Debbie aka The Real World Martha
9 Rachel // Oct 26, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I love this post! Congrats on the new addition! He is so cute!
10 Annie // Oct 26, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Can I tell you that I am completely not an animal person (I know, people tell me all the time how weird I am), but this post made me cry.
I’m so glad you have this pup in your lives, and happy for him, too!
11 Janelle // Oct 26, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Congrats on the new addition! Seth sure is cute and I’m sure Seth and Ryder will form a wonderful relationship!!
12 Chrissy // Oct 26, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Hey, Jane! This is such a sweet post. You do a very good job at getting me all weepy!
Seth looks like such a sweet dog, and I imagine it would have been hard to not fall in love with him!
I bet Ryder will love having his company too.
PS. Have a great weekend! xo
13 Tracy // Oct 26, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Heck, I think I fell a little in love with him the second I saw his picture! How could you not fall in love with him being in your home?
Congrats on the new addition to your family! I hope you have many happy years together!
14 Tracy // Oct 26, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Oh and another thing, I gave you a little something on my blog. You’ll have to scroll down a few posts to find it. I hope you like it!
15 Shana // Oct 26, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I had a feeling that you would keep Seth! :o) I know that your Bizzy sent him your way, and I know he is wagging his tail happily with your decision to add Seth to your family! Congrats on your addition! :o)
16 lifelemons // Oct 26, 2007 at 6:58 pm
I am so happy for you Jane! Congrats on your new baby boy!
17 Kathy/ Lessons from the Laundry // Oct 26, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Wow, amazing how pets enter our lives and leave their permanent mark. It sounds like you were spoken to. I’ve always thought pets, dogs and cats, need other animal companions. Which is why we adopted another kitten this weekend!
18 Rachel B. // Oct 26, 2007 at 8:05 pm
So glad you are finding a bit of happiness with your addition—never a replacement—truly an added joy.
19 Pinks & Blues Girls // Oct 26, 2007 at 8:07 pm
You know I love my new nephew with all my heart and soul!! YA-HOO!! Love you tons. And Seth too.
Love you tons,
Audrey
20 Carrie // Oct 26, 2007 at 11:26 pm
I never thought I’d cry over a dog post! But you and your beautiful dogs are breaking my heart — in a good way!
Congratulations to all of you!
21 Alex Elliot // Oct 27, 2007 at 8:07 am
What a wonderful post! Pets are so important.
22 melody is Slurping Life // Oct 28, 2007 at 1:05 am
Seth is beautiful and what a beautiful family. Enjoy.
23 PrEtTYiNtHECiTY.biz // Oct 28, 2007 at 9:11 pm
You have beautiful and deep connection with them. They are so lucky to have you, Jane
24 Jen @ One Moms World // Oct 28, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I love about the sunflower card. Now if that’s not a sign I don’t know what is! Welcome Seth to the family
25 Sheena // Oct 30, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Look at Sethy Wethy. I bet it’s refreshing to have a full house again! I know the feeling of not wanting to fall in love again, but it’s hard to resist our furry and feathered friends.
26 Two years // Jul 28, 2009 at 11:00 am
[…] I’ve mentioned before that sunflowers are my “sign” from Bizzy that he is still with me. This is how it came to be… The evening we put him to sleep, I had to get out of the house. We had had a vet come to the house that afternoon. We had hugged Bismarck as we said good-bye for the last time. And had we buried him in our backyard. And I just couldn’t spend another minute there. […]
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