Animals

There must have been a dozen times I thought about writing a post about our animals. They bring such joy and frustration to our lives. I image they are training for when we are blessed with children. I second guess myself often when it comes to their training. I love each of them more than I can put into words. There are no words to describe how it feels to see how excited they are when we get home, well atleast the dogs are. The dogs love us no matter what, it is truely unconditional.
We lost one of our dogs today. While away at a conference Bear and Star escaped from the pen. Bear is ok, but Star got hit by a car and was killed. I've never lost a pet before and it hurts beyond words. I feel like it is a bad dream. I am very thankful for the family that found them and it keeping Bear until we return home. Scott sounded as upset as I fell. They burried her for us.
I feel like I failed her because I wasn't there to protect her. Isn't that what a parent (I know she was a dog,but she was our dog) is supposed to do? I am asailed with questions like did I play with her enough, did I love her engough,did she know we loved her?
I am sure in time the sharp edge of pain will dull to an ache and then only the good memories will remain. I just wonder when. In the meantime I will take what I have learned from this tragady and try to be a better mom/owner to our other animals.