Nellie, you have been gone just 3 days now. We are so sad with your passing. You lived 18 years, 10 of them with us. I sure wish we could have had you the full 18 years of your life. You and two other dogs Little Bit and Zoe were dropped off at a groomer and never picked up. You were shaved down I am guessing due to severe matting. Our friend Patrick who has since passed away called the NCMR and was given the go ahead to pick all three of you up. Zoe needed eye surgery and he adopted her. He was only allowed 2 dogs at the time and so he could not keep all of you. Little Bit got a good home. You went to a foster and were there for awhile and when it did not work out my friend George asked me to pick you up. You looked at me with those big black eyes and they sparkled. You went to a foster close to us for about 3 weeks and their dog was not nice to you so we picked you up.
We had Jack Frost who was very ill at the time and you came in the door, checked things out and settled in his bed with him. You took care of him. It was at that time we knew that you would be perfect for our family. We were able to adopt you and for 10 years you lived with us. You loved all people and all animals. You would get so excited at mealtime and run and bark and jump around. You found your “happy place” here with us. You always looked like you were smiling. As you got older you continued to eat well and you got somewhat stiff and could not run as much but still the happy tail and the bright black eyes would show us that you were still feeling well and were happy.
During your 10 years with us you saw many of your friends move on to the Rainbow Bridge. You were always so kind to them and at the end you gave them peace with sitting with them and just being so kind. Just this year you lost your friends Alma and Tess. It was hard for you. You would sometimes look around and wonder where they were.
About 2 months ago you got a bladder infection and you did not truly recover. You continued to eat until about 2 weeks ago when your stomach was upset. It seems you had pancreatitis. We had meds for you and yet you were getting weaker. We did fluids a few times and tried all kinds of food to try to get you to eat but we knew you were getting ready to leave us. On Monday morning you were worse and we knew it was time to let you go. We spent time with you and walked outside and all around the house holding you so you could see everything one more time.
Your eyes were tired but you looked somewhat content. On the way to the vet we once again told you how you were a very important part of our family and that we have loved you every day since you first walked in that back door. You knew it was your home I think right away. You loved the blankets and the things that we gave you. You loved your treats and you loved your brothers and sisters. You were dressed up in little dresses sometimes and had your very own jersey as you went to our granddaughter’s soccer games. You did not have many teeth but you ate like the teeth were still there.
When people would come to visit you always greeted them with a bark and wag of the tail. You slept in bed with us and as you got older and we were fearful you would fall we made a little cardboard frame and put your blankets in there so you would be comfy but could not fall out of bed. You were fine with that. Things did not upset you and you always would go with the flow, always happy and joyful. The years have been kind to you and only the last 2 months did we see you really decline. We buried you in the backyard with your brothers and sisters and you are wrapped in my sweater and have a pretty cross with you.
As I washed your blankets Tuesday for one last time the tears would not stop as I still cannot imagine our home without you, Nellie. We are so blessed that we could be your Mom and Dad for 10 years. The years were a beautiful experience for us and for you. You had a really bad start at life but the last 10 years were good for all of us. Now your bed is in the same place and your bowl and other things will go in your memory box. I do a memory box for each of our beloved pets when they pass away. This year has been so sad with losing you and Alma and Tess. I just have had a really hard time dealing
with all of this.
You have been a true gift to us and you will never really die as you live on in our hearts. I know that in time I will be able to smile more and cry less. I know if you could speak you would ask other people to please, please adopt your best friend and give a rescue a chance at a loving life like you had. I know you were always grateful to us and I know that we are forever grateful to have had the chance to adopt you.
I know that you were happy we were both with you at the end and you went gently and with dignity. I saw a poem a few months back about letting your pet go and it spoke as if from the dog that as you held my paw I felt the tears run down your cheek and I gathered them to save as they were a gift from you to me.
Then in the later verse it said that I have a gift for you when you look at the sky and see the bright stars know that it is a gift from me—the stars are the tears you shed for me. I thought that was beautiful and probably very true. I have read it many times in the last few days. You will always be with us and have a place in our home. Your memory will live on forever in our hearts. Love is forever.
Until we meet again sweet Nellie know we love you everyday,
| Nellie |
| 29, Aug 2016 |
| Vicki and John Manker |