Until We Meet at the Rainbow Bridge

[DiAnn Miller]

I lost the best companion a person could ask for on 9/9/09. Boo was 9 years old and contracted IMHA. Her daddy and I escorted her from her pain and sent her to the Rainbow Bridge. I have cried, for myself and for those whose stories I've read here in this community. As heartbreaking as they are, they have restored my faith in humanity, for one of the most prominent traits of a human being is the ability to love, care for and protect those who have no voice or means to protect themselves. Every story here reveals such a person.

I have cried a river; relayed Boo's story to every friend, relative or stranger that would listen. The days are full of holes and I've found nothing to fill her void. How many of us have smiled, yet cringed, when a well-intended person suggests, "Maybe you should just get another (fill in the blank)? But, getting another fill-in-the-blank might not fill in the blank. And, then what?

I have cried, sobbed, moped, wandered, journaled, wailed, paced, prayed, lost sleep, lost time and lost faith- all to no avail. For all of my mourning, she is still gone. But, today, I lifted a heavy heart above the fog of my despair and realized that, while I have given my grief a voice, it has returned NOTHING. It has drained my energy and sapped my power. Each time that I think I've accepted Boo's absence, another day dawns to remind me that I have not.

Boo gave us 9 years of unconditional love, joy and acceptance. And I've done little to show my appreciation. I will never forget her and I will NEVER stop loving her. And I must believe that this harnessed love, hope and care will be released someday to welcome another dog into our lives who wants and deserves a family as much as Boo did.

Until then, I have decided that my grief no longer needs a voice. Today, it gets a JOB. I will be an advocate against animal cruelty. I will devote what time, energy and money I can to helping homeless pets. I will lend my shoulder, and ear, to anyone who has gone through this and just needs somewhere to cry; or someone to listen. I will still go to the pet store and buy food to leave in containers at the entrance door for local shelters. I'll champion adoption over puppy mills.

My grief won't likely go away. But, it's going to be busy. It has work to do. And that work will be in honor of a loving and gentle friend who taught me that one person CAN make a difference. That's all it took to make a difference in her life. What more fitting tribute can we give our friends than that? So, be happy, Boo girl. Run fast, play hard and bark up a storm! Know that we love you. And, until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge, I'm going to show you just how much....

[Michelle Martin]

Your idea of putting your grief to work is a good one. You are an excellent writer....perhaps one day you could write a book for grieving pet owners? Of the thousands of books at my local hospice, there is only one (tiny book) on pet loss! I thought it might be a nice idea to start a 'haven' in Tristan's name some day, where grieving pet owners can come for counselling, or group therapy, or just to hang out and commiserate. There could be a book room and coffee shop and a memorial wall. Something else that is missing in my province is a pet cemetary. That really bothers me, as not everyone has their own backyard to bury their pets, and not everyone wants to cremate them. It also bothers me that you can't be buried with your pet.
I will continue my work for animal welfare causes...now it will be in the name of Tristan and I will try to be even more vocal and effective.
All the best to you, DiAnn....keep us updated on your good work.

[Cheryl Martin]

DiAnn, I know exactly the experiences you are feeling. The emptiness, the void, the anger. I lost my beloved Jasmine, 09-04-09, when I had to help her cross over The Bridge. Jasmine gave us 13 years of unconditional love and devotion. She did not have a disease like Boo (IMHA), she died from kidney failure created by the presciption drug ProIn (phenylpropanolime). This drug is for incontinence and it helps 70% and kills the other 30%. Not very good odds for me. It also was taken off the market for humans, but not for animals. I gave Jasmine her first dose 07-09-09 and her system began to shut down almost immediately. She experienced loss of appetitie and became lethargic and then her kidneys began to fail. I promised Jasmine daily, when I comprehended she was leaving me, that I would do whatever necessary to spread the word about this dreaded drug, get laws changed that required Vets to advise 'parents' of adverse side effects for all prescription drugs. It now has become my life's mission.
You and Boo are in my thoughts and prayers, as we both begin a new phase in our lives.

Cheryl and Angel Jasmine

[DiAnn Miller]

Cheryl; I'm so sorry about Jasmine. Boo was on ProIn almost all of her life. Apparently, labs and lab mixes are predisposed to incontinence problems. As far as I know, it never contributed to any serious health problems for her. For the last 2 years of her life, she was also on some amount of Rimadyl, which is known to attack the liver. Because of the ProIn and the Rimadyl, we often had her blood tested. When she died, her liver was intact. But since the origin of IMHA is still not known, who knows what role these drugs may have played?

I'm glad you're getting the word out there. An informed decision is always the best one to make. Even if there are still consequences, at least there is an awareness, a preparedness for whatever might come as a result . There is no doubt that you were a wonderful mom to Jasmine. How lucky she was to have you to care for her! Don't ever forget that. So many homeless and sheltered souls would do anything to have a caring and loving "mom" like you. Stay strong, compadre.

[Marina Trofin]

When I lost my little Tess, I couldn't believe time has come! She was 14, and she was never without me; Tess followed me on my trips to Europe, I came to US from Romania with this little baby. She was a schnoudle, from mother schnauzer and father poodle, and she was the best baby I ever had! Tess was smart, good, beautiful. She was a doggie with special needs, being born with something in her trout that she couldn't swallow but very soft, almost liquid; I fed Tess 14 years from my hand, and I cooked for her all these years. When she got pneumonia, I knew she wanted to go, her eyes were telling me to let her go; instead, I took her to the hospital and the vet told me he'll do his best. I promissed her, crying, I'll be back to take her home; I did, but it was too late, my baby passed away in that hospital, first time alone in 14 years. I will never forgive myself for leaving her there! She rests in peace in my back yard, with a nice head stone and flowers all the time. When our dear pets leave, their paw prints rest forever in our hearts! Bless all these little now Angels! Marina

[Cheryl Martin]

Marina, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that here you are welcomed to express your sorrow, your grief, your anger. We all understand. In time you will know that Tess is now at The Rainbow Bridge running free from pain.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs,

Cheryl and Angel Jasmine