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Animals

Devastated by His Dog’s Death, Dad Crying Over New Puppy Is All of Us

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Whether you’re an adult or a child, losing a pet can be devastating and can leave you to ugly-cry for the rest of the week or longer. Which is exactly how this dog dad, James Xuereb, felt after losing both of his Bichon Frises, Lucy and Nemo. But, not all is lost for Xuereb.

As an early birthday present, Xuereb’s daughter, Jaleen, gifted him with a brand new Bichon puppy and a card that read: “Hi, my name is Lumo and I am a boy Bichon. No, I am not Nemo, nor could I ever be Lucy, but my mommy brought me to bring you some happiness back into your life. So, as we walk in this journey of life together, may we create our own wonderful memories and reclaim the beautiful memories that you had with Nemo and Lucy. Love, Lumo.”

After reading the sweet sentiment, Xuereb broke down in tears of joy.

According to Fox 26, nearly 13 years ago Xuereb was suffering from depression. Nothing, it seemed, would cheer him up. That’s when his wife, Wanda, took matters into her own hands by bringing Nemo home.

“He had an attachment to him. He leaned on him for anything and everything,” Jaleen told Fox 26.

After deciding Nemo needed company, the family returned to the breeder to purchase Lucy. Unfortunately, both Bichons suffered from a congenital heart defect.

“My dad was on edge,” Jaleen said. “He didn’t want to talk about [Lucy and Nemo]. He would leave the room if we did. Or he would start crying.”

Not knowing what else to do, the family hid photos of Nemo and Lucy to ease his pain. Then, after doing a little bit of research, Wanda found Fern Klapman-Flett’s Bichon Lovers in Simcoe, Ontario. Wanda and her two daughters, Jaleen and Jade, went to meet with the breeder in October.

“We went back in November to make our pick,” Jaleen said. “When we walked through the door, one came up to us and kept pulling on my mom’s pants. That’s how we knew.”

Lumo’s name, as you’ve probably already guessed, is a testament to Nemo and Lucy — L-U for Lucy and M-O for Nemo. How sweet!

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