This is my blog, and there’s no rule that says I’m only allowed to write about education. Right now, I want to write about the animals I lost in the past three years. It’s been really hard because I miss them. I miss them every day.
Molly, a Tibetan terrier, died in 2010 at the age of 13. Molly had lymphoma for three long, hard years. What a wonderful, funny dog she was. She was a clown, and her last few years were so hard. Traditional western medicine didn’t work for her. The traditional vets said “put her down.” She survived on Chinese herbs after we found a vet whose specialty that was.
Lady, a cocker spaniel, died in 2011, at the age of 14. She had diabetes for three years. We got her in 2001 as a rescue dog. We wanted Molly to have a companion. Molly was depressed for six months after Lady arrived, but then they became fast friends. What a great dog she was. Lady never learned how to play when she was a puppy. Her strong point was loyalty. She made you love her. There was no escaping her fierce love.
Schatzie, the cat, arrived in 2006. She adored the dogs. She cuddled up next to them on their dog beds. They ignored her. She didn’t care. She loved them unconditionally. They seemed indifferent to her. Schatzie was a great girl. She was regal, as cats tend to be. She went into hiding when it was time to take a car trip. She was a great lady. She was seriously sad when the dogs died, so we brought in Dandy (aka, Dandelion), thinking that he would perk her up.
Bad idea. Didn’t work. Schatzie didn’t like Dandy, didn’t understand why we needed another cat. Dandy was an alpha male, and he was not intimidated by the 6-year-old Schatzie. He became increasingly aggressive with her.
She seemed so withdrawn. She stopped eating. We took her to the vet, who had no diagnosis. Then another vet, no diagnosis. Then to the Animal Medical Center, a major hospital.
Bad news: Schatzie was diagnosed with FIP: feline infectious peritonitis. The doctor said simply “She has a disease that is fatal and incurable.” Schatzie died a month ago at the age of six.
This is so hard.
Dandy lifts our spirits. He’s so funny, so spirited. Such a kitten.
But at night I think of the girls who were such an important part of my daily life for a decade. And I miss them.
Diane
I am so sorry that you have lost so many loving friends in so short a time. I love all the education posts, but this one made me love you more! Thanks for all the good “stuff” you write and share with us.
Peg M., Strykersville ,NY
Diane, I cried when I read your post. I am so sorry for your recent and past losses. In time I am hopeful you will remember only the wonderful times you had with your beloved fur babies.
Your humanity is evident not only in your fight for the plight of public school education; teachers and students, but is also reflected in the sorrow you feel in the loss of your pets. Hope Dandy will keep you laughing for a very long time.
Our special friends wait for us at Rainbow Bridge.
http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm
When Timmy, my beloved Corgi/Australian Terrier died, I got Tommy, an Australian Terrier, 4 days later. People said to me “it’s too soon, you need to show respect to Timmy’s memory and wait a decent interval before thinking of getting another dog”. I looked at it a different way, Getting Tommy was a huge compliment to Timmy, who enhanced my life so much, I got Tommy.
Diane, please know that many of us who follow you care about you and will always be here for you. You have an army of followers who support you. Thank you for all you do.
I understand, Diane. I had to give up the doggie love of my life to a rescue shelter two years ago, after major back surgery. Sampson kept me warm during a bitter winter, loved unconditionally and is such a beautiful chocolate lab boy. Sampy finally found a forever home with a nice lady. I will always miss him. I cry for him now. Animals add so much love to our lives, and we try to deserve it and give it back. Hugs to you for caring and mourning, from someone who mourns also, for a different reason.
Molly took me from CT to AL to VA. She was the glossy black runt of a litter of kittens who spent her first 6 weeks of like in a cage at a no-kill (thankfully) shelter. When she died of cancer, I was all but inconsolable. My heart goes out to you.
We understand. All too well. So very sorry.
Susan & Janice
Diane, people who are not pet lovers don’t realize that these furry ones are family to us. I never went through such grief as when my beloved Alaskan Malamute died. My husband and I cried everyday for weeks after she passed. We miss her so much.
Diane, only pet lovers know that are furry ones are family to us. We lost our beloved Alaskan Malamute girl five years ago and it still hurts. We miss her everyday.
We now have two wonderful Malamute siblings, Sonny and Stella, who are so wonderful, and add so much pleasure to our lives.
Candace
I’m so sorry, Diane. Those of us who live with pets totally understand your sadness. Their lives bring us great joy, but the death of every one of them is terribly difficult. I have yet to find a way to feel less sad.
I so identify with you, Diane.
When I was a Kindergarten teacher, someone abandoned a box turtle in a tank on the doorstep of my school and I took her in as a class pet. After a few months though, I decided to take her home, because schools that turn off the heat and close on weekends are no place for living animals. (I often brought her back to visit the kids.)
Baby, as I named her, lived with me as a free-range turtle for 18 years, and I took her with me to many places. I’ve had a lot of pets before –dogs, cats, bird, fish– but none that lived anywhere near as long as she, nor to whom I became as attached, so when she died, my world collapsed.
It’s been almost four years since I lost Baby and I’ve not been able to bring myself to get another pet –the only four years of my life that I’ve not had any pets –and probably the most difficult years of my life. Since I’ve really struggled financially over this time period, I thought it best to not try to feed another mouth when I can’t feed myself. However, once I’m back on my feet, I do hope to get another pet. Even though the thought of losing another dear animal is still so unbearable to me, a life without one has proven to be even worse.
I’m very sorry for your loss, and I’m glad you still have Dandy.
A friend forwarded this to me. I just wanted to say I’m so sorry for your multiple losses. And, I understand. Animals are a blessing to our lives, they bring happiness and joy that can’t be described and ask for nothing in return, “unconditionally”. Each is so special, but all are so intuitive. I lost my beloved Mitzy 4 yrs ago and still have not been able to bring another in to my life. One will find me when the time is right I’m guessing.
You were blessed to have such wonderful pets. And they were lucky to have you. Sorry for your loss.
Your love of pets comes across in your posts. Pets offer many benefits to humans, as I pointed out in the post titled ” The Healing Power Of Pets ” at my blog: http://health-arena.blogspot.co.uk