“WHY?”
Phoebe was our dear little Maltese for 2 years. She and her “sister” Claire belonged to my friend Patrick from New York. He adopted her a little over 2 years before we got her and Claire just after that.
When Phoebe got sick last winter with a bad heart I had to ask WHY? I could not understand why she was sick after such a long journey to find her forever home. As I sat and cried about that some other WHY questions came to me. WHY was Phoebe found as a stray on the streets of New Jersey very sick and afraid? WHY was a kind policeman there to find this precious girl and take her to animal control? WHY was Patrick looking for a Maltese at just that time?
Patrick adopted Phoebe after she was taken from the shelter by a rescue group. He loved her so much and a short time later he adopted Claire another Maltese as a companion for Phoebe. They were very happy with him and then Phoebe tore a ligament in her leg and needed extensive surgery. When he let me know that again-I thought-WHY does this little girl have so much pain and sorrow? The surgery went well and she healed slowly but surely.
All was well for about a year and Phoebe got sick. He took her to the vet and an xray showed a mass on her spleen. There was an ultrasound scheduled but that night Phoebe went into shock as her spleen ruptured and quickly Patrick rushed her to the vet for emergency surgery. She survived but there was cancer in the spleen. WHY did this little girl have to have another painful time in her life? She was doing quite well when Patrick fell sick to kidney cancer. His surgery went well but he developed a problem with the incision that required another surgery. Much to the shock of everyone, Patrick died after surgery. My first thought was oh Phoebe and Claire what will happen to them now?
WHY do they have to suffer yet again in their little lives? We went to get them and met Jean another of Patrick’s friends halfway to get the girls. When we got them the plan was to foster them but on our first meeting it was clear that Phoebe fell in love with John at first sight. She watched him and when he spoke she wagged her tail and just stared at him. Thus started a friendship that was to last but 2 short years but to be a blessing to all of us.
Claire was in good shape except for her knee but Phoebe still had health concerns. Our vet felt they were thriving in our home and suggested we adopt them which is just what we were thinking. We had no idea the bond between them and us would be so strong. They loved it here and bonded with the other dogs but it was always John and Phoebe the best buddies.
About a year ago the heart problem and seizures were discovered and we started a year long battle to save her life. Our vet was wonderful and did all the right things and she had many good days and a few bad days here and there. Then fluid started in her tummy and we knew the condition was progressing in October. Our vet feared we only had a few weeks left. He changed her meds and we put up our Christmas decorations so she could enjoy them as she loved the lights and sounds of Christmas. Well, the meds worked and she enjoyed the lights all through the holiday season. In February she seemed to get a little weaker and the fluid returned. We then knew that her time was coming soon. John was retiring the end of April and we so hoped that she would live to enjoy that time with him. However,
that was not to be.
On Sunday, Feb. 27 we knew we needed to let her go the next day. She went quickly and gently and our vet said she deserved that as her life was such a struggle to make her long journey to us and the home that was to be her forever home. I think the WHYS were all put together and even though there were so many bad times for her the right people showed up at the right time to help her from the policeman, to the rescue, to Patrick and finally to us. She was loved all along the last part of her life’s journey.
I pray she was loved in the beginning too and that somehow she got seperated from her first family. I pray that she was always loved and treasured like she was for the last 4 1/2 years of her life. WHY did Phoebe survive so many bad times? I think the answer is so that she could help the people along the way. She gave great comfort to Patrick when he was sick and she gave great comfort to us after the loss of 3 of our Yorkies a few months before she came.
She stepped in and and so many wonderful ways about her that reminded us of our Whitney the first Yorkie we had. Phoebe gave comfort and love and laughs to each one of us. She was so grateful for anything and everything in her life. She loved her family here, he dog family, her special little bed and her doctor. We have had many dogs over the years and we both agree that Phoebe was the kindest and most gentle of all the dogs we have ever had in our home. We were truly blessed if even for such a short time to have Phoebe in our home and forever in our hearts. I hope that instead of continuing to cry we can celebrate the life that was, the life that made us love her dearly.
When Patrick sent pictures of his beloved Phoebe to proudly announce he had adopted her little did we know how that adoption would make our lives richer. I know that somehow there was a plan for Phoebe and even though the struggles were many along the way, there was help and love at each of those hurdles in her life and Phoebe triumphed each and every time due to determination and most of all due to love.
She will forever be in our heats and her battle to live and our battle to help her will always be a shining moment in our lives. Rest in peace little one and we will all meet again.
We love you forever,
| Phoebe |
| 28, February 2011 |
| Vicki and John |