Translated for Pom by Anke Terbruggen

Do you all still remember me?

Chief said you would, but I’m not sure,.. for all the new people; I’m Pom, short for Pompom (but nobody calls me that). I’m the very first Dawn & Dusk dog!!

I used to tell you about myself every few weeks or so, but ever since we moved, Chief said she has been very busy and hasn’t had time to write down my stories.

Personally, I think she just forgot. 

But she told me it’s really important I let you all know how I’m doing, with Tiny Babe gone,..after all, we’ve been roommates for 2 1/12 years! We moved together from our barn to our room in Chief’s house and spent all our time together. My cuddlers always said we were like a grumpy old married couple; always bickering, but used to being together and keeping each other company nonetheless.

Well, let me reassure you; I’m ok! Us dogs, we experience death very differently than you humans. We don’t really think about it that much,. we can miss our buddies, if we’re really good friends, but we adapt quickly, especially if you humans make sure our routine isn’t changed that much. We do hate to see you sad though, and we can feel a bit unsafe and insecure and cuddle up with you a bit more. We need to know you still love us, even though you’re acting a bit strange!

I think Chief was sad about Tiny, and so was our favorite cuddler, the one that comes especially for us,.. but everybody is making sure I get plenty of attention, and walks and treats, so life as usual really! Chief says our cuddler will come for me only from now on, that makes me really happy! I didn’t really like sharing her attention, to be honest,.

Got to go back to sleep now, I’ve had a busy day and I’m no spring chicken, Chief says. I’ll get back to you another time, to tell you more about our new place. Bye for now!

Translated for Pompom by Anke Terbruggen

I know I was supposed to do my diary yesterday, but things were a bit strange here yesterday, and even more so the day before.

Our main caretakers were here, all together, and they were sitting in the big field, quietly. They all seemed sad. 

The boys behind the fence were a bit stressed and there was something wrong with Big Old Girl. She was different, tired and very sleepy, it seemed.

After a while, she fell asleep, and they carried her away. When they came back, they put her body back in the field, but it wasn’t the same, it wasn’t her anymore.

Now, there is something you should know about us dogs; we do not experience death as you do. We understand life, like all animals, and we accept death. We live now and adapt to the way things are. At first, when one of us dies, we get a bit insecure; you guys act differently and that worries us a bit. So we stay close to you and try to ease things and make you act normally again, so we can feel safe. We don’t like change, but you can make it easier by acting like everything is ok.

So it was really nice that the co-chief, the one that often brings us cool stuff to smell, toys that make us think and smelly things to chew on, took us for a walk!! She really gets us, I think!

The boys are a bit unruly now, I think Big Old Girl kept them under control, but now she’s gone, they seem to think they own the field! Think again guys, even though there’s a fence, I’m still in charge!!! If only I could get in there, I’d sort them out!

So, life back to normal for us, I keep checking what’s happening behind the wall, where the baby-sounds come from. I can see them sometimes, so exciting!! Tiny doesn’t seem to be very interested, I guess she’s seen it all before, I think she had her own babies more than once. Cooler weather means more outside play and sniff time and i’m feeling fitter, so really enjoying myself!