Thursday, July 15th, 2004 ….. It’s been 68-days since I held you in my arms and showered you with sweet kisses and gentle caresses. My heart still aches. I know you are in God’s care, and I pray when you surround his throne with the other fur babies in heaven; you get a chance to sit on his lap and look with joy and happiness at him with your big, dark, beautiful eyes. I shed many tears here on earth, but look forward to tears of joy when I join you. Love Always
Sunday, May 9th, 2004; 4:50 am ….. the dawn of another Mother’s Day on which I fondly remembered my mom in my thoughts and prayers since her passing in 1984. However, this year in the early morning hours; I held my beloved Sparkle, a 12 year old black Shih-Tzu, in my lap as she took her last breath.
Friday, May 7th she was brought to the Vet for blood work; and after discussing the results, he recommended she stay overnight with an IV of antibiotics. When I arrived at the animal hospital early Saturday, May 8th to see how she was doing; I was appalled to find out she had apparently shaken the IV loose sometime after closing and no one had been back to check on the animals left in their care throughout the night.
The Vet then suggested she remain in the hospital throughout the weekend. I knew I was not going to let her remain frightened in a small cage any longer not knowing if and when any of his staff would be returning to monitor her condition after they closed for the day. I asked if I could take her home with sufficient IV’s because I knew in my heart she was not going to remain under his care any longer, and Monday I would find a new Vet for further treatment. I got a crash course on the procedures for the IV and was anxious to get her out of there as quickly as I could.
I wanted to get her back to her own loving home environment where both my husband and I could give her round-the-clock care. I knew she would be more comfortable knowing her pal Pudgy, our three year old Lhasa Apso, and our other three cats, Tippy, Cookie and Tweeze; were by her side.
I left her side only to go to the bathroom and for those brief times, my husband was by her side soothing her with loving words and caresses. He was constantly checking on both of us to see how we were doing and provided food and drink along with more loving words and caresse.
Needless to say, we didn’t get any sleep; even when Sparkle would close her eyes and nap briefly, we kept vigil over her saying prayers for God’s healing angels to come to our aid. We continued with soothing words of love and many gentle caresses.
After midnight, her condition kept deteriorating; she grew weaker and weaker and was having difficulty breathing. She hadn’t made any noises throughout this ordeal and didn’t appear to be in any pain; she would frequently pick her head up and look at us with those big, beautiful, dark, black eyes as it to say, “I love you, but I have to leave you.”
About 4:30 am, her breathing was more labored, and she picked her head up and let out two heartbreaking cries before resting her head down on my lap for the last time, and I knew the end was near. She closed her eyes, and I continued gently massaging her from head to toe and through tears and loving kisses was now telling her not to be afraid and take our love with her and go with the angels to God’s kingdom.
I also prayed that this being Mother’s Day, Sparkle would find my mom and both would be there waiting for me when it was my time to cross over. God answered my prayers and took her quietly into his care with no more distress.
I awake each day and lay my head down at night with you always in my thoughts and prayers. My heart aches, but I remember the love, the joy, the precious moments we shared along with seeing your sweet little monkey face always by my side and making me smile through all that life presented. I continue to count my blessings, but a part of my heart and soul went with you. God Bless You and keep you safe and happy for all eternity. Love forever and always, Amen.
You were the best part of my day,
| Janet Fisher |