Coping with Bi-Polar WAW

[Awoken]

"time for a certain amount of innocence"; yes I feel the same way, and it's the lost of innocence that is so heartbreaking for me.

My W had two small dogs when I met her, and both of our kids knew them since birth. They both past away 4 years ago, within a month of each other. My S13 (then 9) took it particularly hard, especially since the 2nd one apparently just gave up and died of grief. Both me and W were worried about him, but after grieving for quite a while, he came out much stronger.

We've now got two cats and two dogs.
I love them (they're family), but I have to mention that all four were bought during impulsive/manic phases of W. With the new dogs, she started dog training classes, but only completed half of them.

Again, my sympathies for mr. jones, and I hope you son doesn't take it too hard.