Born February 8, 1995, Brandy would have been 9 her next birthday. Brandy was part of four generations of Boxers that we had. Before she became ill, she was always playful as a puppy, yet knew when she needed to act mature. She was extremely smart, loving, and loyal.
Brandy loved to jump into bed and snuggle down under the covers to sleep. She loved to go bye bye even though she fell asleep almost before we left the driveway. Brandy was diagnosed with a brain tumor December 4, 2003, after exhibiting many symptoms. We took Brandy to the University of Missouri at Columbia Veterinary Hospital where they performed a CT scan which confirmed our fears. Prognosis was not good, as radiation and surgery were not options for her age and
the location of the tumor.
We were told to take her home and give her lots of love because they didn’t expected her to live much more than “a few months”. We brought her home and continued to love her even more fiercely than we already had. She began to exhibit separation anxiety anytime we’d leave the room and followed us everywhere.
We have tile floors and you could hear her footsteps all over the house. She no longer greeted us at the door and barely acknowledged when we returned home even by looking up at us. On January 7, 2004, Brandy’s symptoms worsened and she was unable to even walk and
was having small seizures.
We knew then that the battle was over and we must let her rest. We phoned our vet and did the most painful thing we have ever had to do before. I held Brandy in my arms and told her how much she was loved, would continue to be loved and much more, how much she would be missed. Then Brandy drifted off to sleep and was on her way to Rainbow Bridge where she will no longer feel sick or feel pain. She will have the playful spirit of a puppy once again.
I’d like to dedicate the following poem, that I found on the Internet, to Brandy who’s footsteps are missed so very much!
IF IT SHOULD BE THAT I GROW FRAIL AND WEAK
AND PAIN SHOULD KEEP ME FROM MY SLEEP,
THEN WILL YOU DO WHAT MUST BE DONE, FOR THIS–THE LAST BATTLE–CAN”T BE WON.
YOU WILL BE SAD I UNDERSTAND,
BUT DON”T LET GRIEF THEN STAY YOUR HAND,
FOR ON THIS DAY, MORE THAN THE REST,
YOUR LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP MUST STAND THE TEST.
WE HAVE HAD SO MANY HAPPY YEARS,
YOU WOULDN’T”T WANT ME TO SUFFER SO.
WHEN THE TIME COMES, PLEASE LET ME GO.
TAKE ME TO WHERE TO MY NEEDS THEY”LL TEND,
ONLY, STAY WITH ME TILL THE END
AND HOLD ME FIRM AND SPEAK TO ME
UNTIL MY EYES NO LONGER SEE.
I KNOW IN TIME YOU WILL AGREE
IT IS A KINDNESS YOU DO TO ME.
ALTHOUGH MY TAIL ITS LAST HAS WAVED,
FROM PAIN AND SUFFERING I HAVE BEEN SAVED.
DON”T GRIEVE THAT IT MUST BE YOU
WHO HAS TO DECIDE THIS THING TO DO;
WE’VE BEEN SO CLOSE–WE TWO–THESE YEARS,
DON”T LET YOUR HEART HOLD ANY TEARS.
–AUTHOR UNKNOWN
We love you Brandy!
| Shelly McAninch |