Cheers

I have not been sleeping at all well recently. In the space of 12 months I've lost my 92 year old granddad, my 19 year old cat and my 5 year old greyhound. Both my grandad and Harry's deaths were total shocks too. I miss them all hugely. We'd only had Harry a few months when my grandad died.
When my granddad died I decided I needed to change my life and embarked on a major diet. Id been overweight for a long time and hadnt managed to find the motivation to do anything about it. I used to comfort eat a lot and knew I needed to change this habit for good. Instead of comfort eating I took Harry for long walks whenever I felt stressed - which was a lot! We covered many miles together and he was always at home with me to keep me company when the kids were at school.
I started my diet the middle of August last year and managed to stick to it even when Lynnie became ill and the vet found a tumor. I couldnt have stuck to it without the help of my gorgeous dog. After Lynnie died we adopted our cat Pumpkin from the RSPCA and he helped fill the void she left behind.
Just after Easter this year I reached my target weight and lost 5 stone, going from a size 18 to a size 10! My only 2 regrets were not doing it sooner and my granddad not being here to see it. Sadly Harry died in July of a stomach tumor and for a whole week I didnt think I could face getting another dog. I came to my senses though and we now have the lovely Louie, another retired greyhound.
One of the things I always remember about my Grandad was that he made his own wine. I was inspired by this after he died and last year I went on several walks with Harry to pick blackberries. The wine was fermenting when Lynnie died. Tonight I am having a drink from my first ever bottle of home brewed blackberry wine and it is lovely. Im drinking to the memory of Harry, Lynnie and my Granddad and also celebrating the new life of Pumpkin and Louie. Without Lynnie and Harry's deaths we would not have them in our lives. Im hoping the wine will help me to sleep well tonight and dream of them all.