Saying Goodbye and Starting Over: Finding Hope in Loss
The Pain of Loss
Less than two months ago, San Diego was bursting with spring energy, but a dark cloud hung over our home. Our beloved dog, Pichu, was gone forever—the little guy who used to tear around the yard and gaze at us with those soulful eyes was taken by a hungry coyote on the hillside behind our place.
What hit me hardest was seeing my husband—Dog Dad—take it even worse than I did. He was livid, talking about poisoning the coyotes that took Pichu’s life. Seeing the rage in his eyes broke my heart, but I gently talked him down, reminding him that taking lives isn’t the answer. Life has its cycles, and all we can do is beef up the backyard fence to protect any future furry family members.
The Stubborn Search
After losing Pichu, I started asking around about adoptable dogs, hoping a new pup could ease our grief and bring some warmth and laughter back to our home. But Dog Dad? He was on a mission that was equal parts sweet and exasperating—he was dead-set on finding a dog that looked exactly like Pichu, even planning to name it “Pichu 2.0.”
It was driving me up the wall. Every time I found a cute pup, he’d just shake his head and say, “Doesn’t look like Pixiu.” Days turned into weeks, and I started wondering if we’d ever find a dog that’d get his stamp of approval.
A Surprise Twist
Just when I was about to throw in the towel and hit up a breeder, I spotted an adoption post from a friend online. The dog in the picture? It was like Pichu’s twin! I called her up, buzzing with excitement, only to hear the worst: “Oh, sorry, that one got adopted yesterday.”
My heart sank. Another dead end.
A New Spark
But then my friend dropped a bombshell: “I just took in a pregnant Maltese mama. She’s due in a few weeks—come pick one of the pups!”
I couldn’t believe it! I ran to tell the family, and we were all stoked. We started tossing around name ideas, reinforcing the fence, and even putting up protective netting around the backyard tent. This time, we’re making damn sure no pup of ours is ever at risk in the yard again.
Life’s Miracles and Challenges
Today, I checked in with my friend about the dog mama. She sounded tired but relieved: “She was carrying five pups, but it was a tough delivery—she’s older, so we had to do a C-section.”
My stomach dropped.
“Sadly, one pup didn’t make it,” she said. “But the other four are doing great, and the mama’s got plenty of milk and is recovering well.”
She sent a video, and there they were: the mama dog lying calmly, four tiny pups snuggled up to her, nursing away. Watching it, our whole family got choked up. We’re thrilled about the new addition but also nervous, hoping these little ones grow up strong.
Waiting with Hope
We’ve got to wait until September to bring our new pup home. It feels like forever, but it’s worth it. We’re spending the time tightening up every safety measure at home, making sure we’re ready for this new family member.
This pup will never replace Pichu—no one could. But I believe what makes life so special is how every creature has its own story, each one worth loving and protecting with everything we’ve got.
We’re counting down to September, ready to welcome our new little buddy. This time, we’ll guard them with all our hearts, making sure they grow up safe, healthy, and happy. And with them, our lives are about to get a whole lot brighter and warmer.
