Today marks one year since we lost you to the horrid cancer that claimed your body. You went so quickly and we let you go to avoid any suffering that was about to happen. I know that your body was so sick and so weak and yet you tried so hard to get better. I think the last night before you went to heaven you knew that it was time. You were so like yourself and ate and slept pretty good on the pillow beside me.
In the morning, we were trying to be brave for you before you went to be put to rest. As you lived, you died very gently with but a whimper. You died licking your Dad’s cheek and he bent down and said “it’s okay honey.” This was sadness that we have remembered this past year and always will. You are always a part of this family and Brooke and Lexi speak of you often and sing songs and draw pictures of you.
I felt such a helplessness when you were gone. We have your sisters but there was a very empty place in this home. I ask myself, what can I do to help? My decision was to adopt a rescue dog and hopefully give them a good, safe place to live after they have had such a bad start in life. As I was checking pet finder, a new dog was posted. I read the description of the Yorkie puppy that was neglected with an eye condition and
as a result was blind.
Your Dad and I decided that this was the little guy that needed our help so I called. At once, the call was returned and in just 3 days we were adopting Teddy Bear, the “big” Yorkie that nobody wanted. He is a real character and so full of energy. He wanted to play and your sisters Whitney and Hannah are 13 now, Genie is 10 and Rachael is 8, and they were not too interested in playing with the new guy.
He took a real liking to Genie and she grieved so bad for you and still does. For a brief time she would be busy checking out her new big brother but then going back to her chair
that the two of you sat on together.
Anyhow, after lots of thinking and praying for an answer to the question of who will play with Teddy, we decided to check the rescue again. This time I saw a story of a Maltese that was badly abused. He was damaged in his mouth and had pure bleach poured all over his little body. His skin was burned and when he tried to lick it off to help the pain, he blistered his mouth inside and out and got a bad infection. His eyes were also splashed and were damaged but he could still see. He was in the hospital for 10 days and then in rescue for 3 weeks. I e-mailed to see about him and wasn’t sure if they would consider me because of already having 5 dogs. They did contact me and a few days later we drove over 300 miles round trip to pick up Jack Frost.
I know you would love Jackie because he doesn’t bother anyone. He has gotten all his fur back and his mouth is pretty good now. The beauty of this adoption is that Jackie and Teddy are the best of friends and play and run all the time. Jackie is older but lots of pep and love.
What a miracle to see these two little guys that had such terrible experiences to run and play and be “puppies” again. They know they are safe and happy here. It has also given your older sisters some rest. Everyone gets along so well and I am so sorry that you cannot share these two lives with us. You were the inspiration for us to do this and I continue to try to help the rescues in any way that I can.
Thank you, Abby, for all your love and I hope that you can see that we are all trying to be brave without you. I know you are with Heidi and Kelli and are young and healthy again. I have the picture of you and Whitney in your Santa hat and antlers on the bulletin board in my room at school. I went back to work full time now because I just had to keep myself busy. The dogs are doing fine and the 3 days that Dad and I aren’t home, Sandy comes and feeds and walks them.
I am proud of you because you have inspired me to do some good things in this world-to rescue some needy dogs and to get back to work with children again. At the age of 57, I think I am even proud of myself for taking these two big steps.
Look down on us and see all the crazy times in this house with all the dogs. Your blanket is still on your chair and has never been washed. Genie is sleeping on it right now. I will forever remember my little Main Street Abby that has given me the courage to go on with my life and to adopt two little boys and go back to work in Kindergarten. Today there were tears for you as often happens.
Your story on this website is set to the music of When A Hero Comes Along. This morning when my clock radio went on, that song was played. It is the first time I have heard it on the radio in months. Your Dad and I just looked at each other with tears and knew this was your way to tell us that you are okay. You are our “little hero.
We hold you close in our hearts.
| Vicki Manker |