Losing a dearly family member, at least for me, has always been an intense time of soul searching beyond just the emotional pain... Years ago, I thought I had all the answers but the older I become, the more I realize I do not... I guess the more you get to the end of your mortality, the more you question how the world works...
After all these years, I've come to the conclusion that if you are VERY lucky in your life, you will know the love of 4 or 5 GREAT dogs in your life... Your family dog was there to play with you, comfort you in times of sadness or feeling alone, but you usually didn't have the full responsibility of financially providing for them or even 100% of their care... Parents make the decision as to whether you have or don't have a dog, whether the dog stays or not (sometimes depending upon your efforts to clean up poop and/or take care of feeding them, etc.)... And if you happen to have another GREAT dog as you go through adolescent years, count yourself among the blessed folks...
But as an adult, we are too busy getting our own lives in order or on the right pathway... Social times cut into the time we spend with our dog... Moving, changes, college, work - anything can diminish the time we spend with a dog and as such, they don't always turn into great dogs...
Once middle age hits us, we seem to take a whole different perspective about what makes a great dog and what doesn't... We seem to finally 'get it' and realize the full ramifications of owning a dog and what the responsibilities really are... And in turn, we will find at least one or two GREAT dogs before we too pass across the Rainbow Bride...
But when we lose a dog of ours, it hits us much harder and much different than when we were a child...
Years ago when I lost a GREAT dog I loved dearly, a rescue friend told me that God calls all the best dogs earlier - He needs them to help the other dogs across the Rainbow Bridge who are having a hard time making it across...
So today I pay honor to a GREAT dog that I was privileged to save as a rescuer, a dog that found a great furever home, but who has passed across the Rainbow Bridge now... I know in my heart DiDi is there now with my Rogaine, discussing things and getting caught up on the past few years...
I know Rogaine is proud of the rescue that came to be because I made him a promise I would save at least one dog's life every month in his memory... He is probably appreciative of having a female sidekick in DiDi to help the other dogs that are struggling across the Rainbow Bridge...
In my mind's eye, I can see them kicking back when their shift is over for the day and hanging out on a couch somewhere... I'm sure BooBooBear and Abby come around to join them on the couch as well... BillyBoy probably announces his arrival with his infamous yodeling...
But I am just as sure that ScudderButts and BeeGee were there before anyone else, claiming the primo, softest doggie bed before anyone else arrived at the end of their shifts...
The water is cool and pure, the food is amazingly good and the beds are the softest ever... And there is no pain, no sorrow and lots of laughter and sharing of great memories... And special sun-bathing salons just for the Chihuahuas who love to do this so much!
And in my idea of Heaven, there is no poop for us humans to pick up either! No shelters, no bad dogs and only great ones... Hopefully there is a fantastic dance floor there and country music is streaming nonstop!...
A rescue friend of mine says we rescue folks are the luckiest of all for we get to meet, save and celebrate so many great dogs finding their furever home along the way... That as hard as it is to know we can't (and won't) save them all, the celebrations of each one as they passed through our lives is enough and there is no amount of compensation or feeling that matches the rescue feeling... I have had the privilege of meeting many GREAT dogs and owning a few, so I am grateful to be a rescue person and having known DiDi along the way....
And so, DiDi, give a hug to Rogaine and ScudderButts for me... And for us that are left behind, let's celebrate the joy that DiDi gave to many of us in TLC when we held her wedding long ago on 11/22/10:
Love,
Linda
There are many times I and the TLC volunteers get tired of rescue - the rude people who come into the shop, the struggle to save just one dog, the huge burden of trying to keep the rescue solvent... and the list goes on.
Just when you think it would be better to just throw up your hands and give up, walk away and retire from rescue, God always manages to throw me a 'reality check' about what we do and why we do what we do in TLC.
Yesterday I received this email from someone who adopted a 'water baby' that was on a kill list about a year ago... And I wanted to share the story of Kisses to one and all so that what we do and the passion we do it with can be better understood by the general public.
Hi Linda,
My name is Jennifer, and I am not sure if you remember me because I know I lot of dogs come and go from your rescue. I transferred a little Chihuahua named Kisses with water on the brain to your shop back in September. She stayed with you for a few weeks until she was spayed and got her vaccinations, and then I ended up adopting her from you because my boyfriend and I totally fell in love with her during the 2 days that we had her before bringing her to you. We ended up naming her Darla Jean, with the nickname Binky. Last weekend, the most unfortunate thing happened, and we lost our little girl. We are still totally devastated because it all happened so fast. She got really sick on the 4th of July and was having a really hard time breathing. We took her to the ER and they kept her there overnight on oxygen. Her heartbeat was also beating quite rapidly. The first thing the next morning, I took her to our regular vet and found out that she had pneumonia and really high blood pressure. They kept her all day and gave her an IV of fluids and antibiotics and kept her under a heat lamp. By the end of the day, she still had labored breathing, but her body temperature got back to normal. We took her home, and by Saturday morning, it seemed like her breathing was improving. But, on Saturday afternoon, her fragile little body gave out on her and she passed away at home in my arms. I still can't believe that this happened. I keep hoping that this is all just a really bad nightmare that I am going to wake up from at any moment. Just a week ago she was running around like a regular puppy, tugging at my pant legs with her teeth, demanding to get fed. She seemed totally healthy. But, I guess it was her time and she was just meant to be a little angel quickly passing through. I can't believe we only had her 9 months and she was only 1 yr and 4 months old. BUT, we packed in so much life in such a short time, and I would love to share it with you.
Remember this picture? This was the picture that Chela sent out of Darla when she was at the shelter needing to get out:
This is who she became:
We absolutely adored her from the minute we got her and wanted to give her the best life possible. We only got to have this little blessing for 9 months, but in those 9 months, we made sure she lived life to the fullest.
She got to go on 3 vacations with us, got to go up north to San Jose to meet my family and she also got to go to the Hearst Castle.
We got one of every major holiday with her - like Halloween,
And Christmas,
She got to go to the beach and see the ocean and run in the sand.
She got to go to work every morning with her dad and see all of her friends everyday and then get picked up in the middle of the day and finish the day at work with mom.
She got to sleep in between us every night snuggled up next to us under the covers. She even had a choice of 4 dog beds throughout the house to lie in when she wasn't in one of our laps.
She had lots of nice things and pretty dresses to wear in the spring and warm sweaters for the winter.
She got to have her 1st birthday party and had lots of people over who loved her and wanted to help her celebrate.
She had a big brother named Jonathan who took care of her and she absolutely adored him.
She and Jonathan went everywhere together.
She was ever so special and unique, and I know I will never come across another dog quite like her.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and let me share what became of her short life. You have no idea how healing this is for me. Thank you so much for helping us out to adopt her. Our time with her meant the world to us.
Take care,
Jenn
