My avatar

[masma]

This is Jetspoon... it will be 2 years on the 8th since she went over the Rainbow bridge. I know we look through rose coloured glasses when we think of her, she had her 'ways' as all dogs do but she really was one special girl. She suffered greatly before my son adopted her when she was 6 months old - he was her 4th home. When she was 18 months old his other dog, a German Shepherd, attacked her, (not entirely his fault, she always was a baulshy bird) she almost died but pulled through and because she couldn't go back and live with him she came to us. We had her just shy of 13 years. Anyway.... we've had Coco for 2 years on June 20th, I've never had the courage to take Jet off my avatar, we loved her so dearly. So my dear AB friends should I move on? Coco has become a part of our family and I feel guilty for not doing so. Thank you for reading this xx

[chi-chi66]

A sad but lovely story...why not have both, and alternate. I change mine
about every month or so, other Abers change theirs from time to time.

[paddywak]

When I lost Max a few weeks ago I was thinking about finding a new avatar, but when I mentioned this several posters commented that they'd got used to seeing Max when I posted. Now I getting to the stage were when I see him In the various photos I use it still makes me sad but it also makes me smile. It's up to you masma but why don't you alternate between jetspoon and coco? That way you can remember both your fiends

[ttfn]

Hello Avril :) Both Jetspoon and Coco look lovely pets. Why not alternate them and see how you feel? I only have photos of my last pet - a boxer. If I had some of the others I would post them as a slide show - my very own rogues gallery. I think of them all most days, photos are not necessary to remember their faithfulness and loving ways. Please give Coco a cuddle from me ♥

[Maydup]

What about having a change and use something else as an avatar. That will create a break and help you to move on without feeling guilty that you've swapped one pet for another.

[shivvy]

Oh I feel for you masma - it's just awful when they leave us. But your memories of Jetspoon will always be with you masma. She will live on in your thoughts and your conversations about her. She doesn't need to be on your avatar for you to pay tribute to her.
She is happy at rainbow bridge and would not want you to be worrying about something like this. Changing your avatar doesn't mean that you love her any less.
Free yourself and Jetspoon up and change your avatar. After all, surely Coco deserves a shot at stardom!

xxx

[FredPuli43]

My Puli, called Fred, died 5 years ago, but FredPuli lives on (as you see, above). My poodle Benny died two years ago, and I still say 'goodnight Benny' as I blow out the candle I have at night here and go to bed. I understand your feelings. I have nine dogs here and those two were special, but the nine are part of the family too, just as they were. There's really nothing to feel guilty about. All right, so I am sentimental, but why not? Some people are. Coco wouldn't understand it. I'm sure mine wouldn't and Benny was the dad of most of them! Coco is secure in the family, happy and loved. Coco isn't worrying ! Coco is probably sleeping by now, and chasing rabbits in happy dreams.
It's not so much moving on as staying; nothing wrong with that and nothing to feel guilty about, is there? Keep the avatar. They may come a time when you will remove it without thinking ill of that, and then it'll happen naturally enough but if it doesn't, it doesn't, but don't agonize over the thought. Hey, you may have years yet but it won't matter; what was that Puli again?

[masma]

Thank you all, I'll see how I feel after the 8th, as you say Coco does deserve her little bit of stardom.
Cuddle duely given Viv - hope you are well xx

[lankeela]

I buy a dog show diary every year and on the cover has always been my dog Del. He is getting on for fifteen and won't be around a lot longer I know, but I considered getting a new photo of one of my current show dogs to put on it. Then I decided it would be disrespectful, as Del hasn't even gone yet! I do change my avatars occasionally though, and the GSD is currently on mine. Not a lot of help am I? lol

[linedancer16]

My picture is Sally, my Border Collie who died last year. I have another Border Collie now called Hamish (already called that when I got him!) but I like to keep Sally on here. She was my original avatar and I've never really thought about taking her off!

[wolf63]

My avatar is still alive and has just demanded his dinner. I have him in the picture as he is easier to see due to his colouring. His sister has a black face and a mainly black body so she just looks like a black blob.

I feel slightly guilty that she isn't shown on the net but she doesn't seem to care.

[dogspit]

It is hard to know when it is time. My cat, Cocoa, died in March after being my constant companion for 20 years... I still am quiet when I open the cabinet that used to contain her food and I seldom venture into her room. I suspect that will be true for a long time. I think you should keep the avatar.