Please Send Good Thoughts

[AmberGretchen]

Hi everyone - I know you all will understand. A little over a year ago (last February), my mother generously agreed to adopt a little doggie from the shelter where I volunteer. This little doggie was incredibly sweet, smart, and friendly, but she was older (about 10 years old), and had been diagnosed with skin cancer, which an unknown prognosis, and so the shelter was going to put her down at that time. I had fallen a little in love with the dog, Diana, but I couldn''t take her because my apartment wouldn''t allow it, so my mom took her in instead, with the accompanying uncertainty about how much longer she had. She was a happy little dog though, and she loved living with my mom - a lot of the time she acted like a puppy, dancing delightedly when people came over, playing, going on walks, loving her food and playing chase around the house with her buddies my mom''s kitty and the next door neighbor''s dog. This little dog brough the most incredible joy wherever she went - when she stayed at doggie day care while my mom had to work, the staff just adored her, and competed to see who got to spend time with her. This morning I got a call from my mom, and Little Diana has taken a turn for the worse, healthwise. In a little while, I''ll be going with my mother to the vet to figure out what to do.

Please keep your fingers crossed for a good outcome - I''m not really sure what that is at this point, as it may be the kindest thing to let her go, in which case mom and I will stay with her make her as comfortable as possible while it happens, but I know it will break my mom''s heart, and I think it will break mine just a little bit too.

I know it is still better if it happens today instead of having happened in the shelter last March and her never having gotten to experience a happy home, but its still hard. So our family could really use your healing thoughts and prayers, whatever you have to spare today. I''ve posted a picture of Diana below.

 

[AmberGretchen]

And one more picture in her party color - she loved parties, and was always a hit in her pretty pink collar.

 

[ladypirate]

*Hugs* I''m sorry about Diana, she looks like a bundle of joy. You and your mom are wonderful people for making the last year so great for her.

 

[matildawong]

Hi AmberGretchen. I''m so sorry little Diana isn''t doing well. I''ll be thinking good thoughts and hoping for the best.
I''m so happy your mom was able to adopt her.

 

[Lorelei]

Dear little soul, I am sending out my strongest prayers for a good outcome.

 

[2Artists]

You and your mother are to be commended for the love and kindness that you have surrounded Diana with. What a wonderful difference you have made in her life and she has made in yours. What an special and precious dog. We send our most positive healing thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Good wishes, healing thoughts, and all around prayers sent.

What a cute little dog; one can easily see that Diana''s the type of dog to bring joy wherever she goes. That picture of her snuggled in her fluffy little bed totally pulls at my heartstrings! Having had several dogs over the years myself , I remember the anxiety and sadness that comes with facing the loss of one of those "great" ones, and am sending warm thoughts to both you and your mom.

 

[lyra]

It''s so wonderful that your mother and you did give her the very best home full of love and happiness. I think that''s something to really hold onto. Bless you and your mom, and bless little Diana.

 

[Skippy123]

Hugs and prayers outgoing, she is so beautiful. Hugs Sweetie!!!

 

[Dogmom]

Sending lots of good thoughts your way. ((( Diana )))

My two girls and foster puppy send sloppy kisses, too.

 

[bee*]

Sending bucketloads of good thoughts.She looks like a beautiful dog. I hope that she will improve but if not, you are doing the kindest thing for her. Sending lots of hugs.

 

[pjean]

Oh, no. I''m so sorry!

 

[FireGoddess]

What loving people you are, you and your mom, for welcoming into your hearts a beautiful older dog knowing that she had hard times ahead and that it would possibly be a heartwrenching experience.

I hope that she gets better, with all my heart. I also hope that if she doesn''t, you guys can find strength when it comes time to let go. I hope this isn''t the time though.

I love that pink collar shot. What a love.

Head bonks from my girls.

 

[Deelight]

Amber sending out all the positive vibes, thoughts and prayers I have for Diana to have a fantastic outcome.

She looks to be a really special pup who is well loved and a joy to have If more people were like you and your mum animals would have a much better place.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful thoughts. Unfortunately, it was almost immediately apparent when I saw little Diana that it was most likely time. She had lost much of her "sparkle" and wasn''t really able to do her happy dance that she used to do whenever she saw me. She also seemed very bothered by the sores the cancer had caused and had trouble getting comfortable on my mom''s lap in the car, and was having some trouble breathing as well. She was still very loving and affectionate though.

When we got to the vet, it was clear, and he confirmed, that it really was kindest to give her a peaceful passing. We both held her and told her we loved her and it was very peaceful. My mother (and I) are hearbroken by her passing, but we have beautiful memories and beautiful photographs to remember her by. I think the healing process will be difficult. For tonight, I am staying in with my mom, helping her to eat something and we planted some plants, which she loves doing, as a sort of memorial and to help remind us that life goes on.

Continued healing thoughts for my mother in her grief would be appreciated.

 

[Lynn B]

Oh my... I am teary as I read this... oh AG, how hard it is when we have to face these things... and it just never gets easier...

But you did the right thing... the best thing for sweet Diana. And just look at all that you and your Mom so lovingly gave to her... over a year of life -- such a gift... and with her being so happy and so loved... and there's just nothing that can compare to that. And when it came time to let her go, you gave her the ultimate gift... you made sure that happened without suffering or fear, and in the arms of the people she had come to love so much.

Your mom sounds wonderful, AG -- just like you... must be where you got it from. *Hugs* to both of you.

Thinking of you.
xoxoxo

Lynn

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 5/19/2008 12:55:35 PM
Author: ladypirate
*Hugs* I''m sorry about Diana, she looks like a bundle of joy. You and your mom are wonderful people for making the last year so great for her.

Ditto! ((Hugs)) And I am sending my prayers your family''s way!

Losing a pet and family member is always so hard.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Oh that is so sad....my thoughts are with you. You and your mother probably did the best thing for her by giving her a good loving home for the last part of her life.

 

[Dee*Jay]

AG, I am so very sorry to hear of Diana''s passing. I hope that you and your mother will take comfort in the wonderful time that you had with Diana and that she had a much better life than she would have had without the love and care she enjoyed over the last year. Biggest hugs outgoing.

 

[sevens one]

I''m so sorry to read this.

 

[Kaleigh]

Oh AG, I am so sorry. Big hugs.

 

[Miranda]

Oh AG, I''m so sorry for you and your mom. You have such a heart for animals. You will be in my thoughts.

 

[Skippy123]

Oh AG, I am so sorry to read your update, hugs and prayers for you and your mom and sweet dog.

 

[2Artists]

Oh I am so sorry that really breaks ones heart. You and your mom gave her a loving home and made the last part of her life so wonderful and full of love and that is the most tremendous gift that you could have ever given Diana. Prayers of comfort sent your way.

 

[matildawong]

I''m so terribly sorry and so sad for you and your mom, AG. I had little Diana in my thoughts today. I think it''s so wonderful you''re staying with your mom tonight to be there for her. I will continue to think good thoughts for both of you in dealing with your grief.

 

[Deelight]

I am so sorry Amber, The loss of a furry family member is always hard but like Lynn said your mum gave Diana a fantastic year of being loved and cherished and when it was time to go you were both there with her. You both gave her the gift of a fantastically happy last year

Sending healing thoughts for you and your mum and hope you both see your way through this tough time soon.

BIG HUGS to you both

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thank you so much everyone - your support is incredibly touching. When she is ready, I will probably share it with my mom, as I''m sure it would mean a lot to her.

I''ve been so upset the whole day that I''m feeling kind of numb now, but I suspect it will hit me all over again tomorrow morning. My mom just went off to sleep at her own place, and I''m really feeling for her - she has a lovely kitty who I know will snuggle with her, so I''m hoping that will help a lot. But I know how heartbreaking this is for her - Diana was really her shadow for that year or so that she was with us. I just have to keep reminding myself that this really is better than if she''d been put down in the shelter and never had this wonderful year.

Thank you all so much - the support means more than I can say.

 

[AmberGretchen]

p.s. Lynn - I''m not quite strong enough right now to respond to everybody individually, but your post was just beautiful. My mom is an amazing woman - so strong and yet so compassionate. She has always loved animals - horses, dogs, cats, and has taken care of them and showed me how to treat them well my whole life. She is just an amazing human being - even though she struggled with raising a child on her own (she had my much older sister at the age of 19), she went back to school, earned TWO masters degrees AND a PhD, and went on to be one of the first members of the original team in San Francisco that researched the early stages of the AIDS epidemic (in the meantime taking care of me who she had at 43 long after she was supposed to be infertile...). She and a colleague published the first paper showing that women became infected with HIV in addition to men. The world has been very lucky to have her, and I have incredible respect and affection for her.

Sorry to go on at such length, it just really touched me that some part of how incredible she is must have come through in my posts (as it should have), and I''m so touched that so many of you noticed. Thank you.

 

[diamondfan]

Okay, I just started bawling when I read about Diana.

So sad, and I am happy that she had some nice times with you all, and was not killed in a shelter.

I admire you both for taking her knowing she had not a lot of time left. It is really sad to lose a pet, and it sounds like she brought joy to you both.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 5/20/2008 1:07:45 AM
Author: diamondfan
Okay, I just started bawling when I read about Diana.


So sad, and I am happy that she had some nice times with you all, and was not killed in a shelter.


I admire you both for taking her knowing she had not a lot of time left. It is really sad to lose a pet, and it sounds like she brought joy to you both.

Oh dear,bawling was certainly not my intention (though I''ve been doing my fair share of crying today). She was a truly special little soul, and that is the thought I am clinging to now - that this had to be much better for her than just being put down in the shelter. Of course, I try very hard also not to think about the people who allowed her, at 10 years old, to end up as a stray on the street when she had clearly been someone''s pet before that. Fortunately animals are incredibly forgiving and don''t have long memories, so all she remembers should be the good - I don''t know that any dog has been quite as loved as she was during her time with my mom.