Please Pray for Zoey

[gemy]

Originally Posted by jadabug

Gail, I know how hard this is for you and I admire you so much for putting Zoey first and foremost in your decisions. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that Zoey plays and enjoys having fun.

Thank you - yes it is hard - I guess about as hard as I thought it would be. Even the oncologist had tears in her eyes, when she said good-bye to Zoey; as did the receptionist. It was a blurry time for us. But right now I'm focussing on saying hello to Zoey every day. She has always wanted all of my attention; and now she has the most of it. My husband was so looking forward to having a "dog" of his own, and while she loves him, as do all our dogs, for some reason, they all look to me, and I guess treat me as the alpha.

I hope that no-one minds if I update as we go along this journey we are on.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Oh, Gail, I am so sorry to read what the vets recently told you. It's heartbreaking & so hard to hear. I pray that the days you have left with your little one are magical and time can stand still for your family for a while. I know you will treasure & hold dear your precious hours left with Zoey and make each special. She has given you much love that you return and I know that grows with every day that passes. God bless you all as you walk this path together and may He keep you, every one, in strength & peace.

[Yorkiemom1]

So now........it has come to this. And, as demonstrated every step along the way on this unfortunate journey, you have set your jaw, you have taken a deep breath, and you have chosen the path that is best for your precious Zoey. While you heart breaks and your soul shudders at the words spoken by the oncologist, while every fiber in your body screams to do everything you can possibly do to keep Zoey here as long as medical science will possibly allow, you have put Zoey first and foremost in this horrible duel to the end with this disease. Medical treatment can be utterly brutal, accomplishing nothing but delaying the inevitable. You have made an end of life choice for Zoey that assures her QUALITY of life for whatever time she has left. That is a choice made out of the boundless love you have for her, regardless of the pain it is causing you. I carry a poem in my purse...."She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. She will be yours, loyal, faithful, and true, til the very last beat of her heart.....You owe it to her to be worthy of such complete devotion." Gail, you show her you are indeed, worthy. God bless you and give you peace and the strength needed to get you through this.

[lisaly]

Yorkiemom1, that is really beautiful. It takes a lot of courage and love to always make choices that are in the best interest of our babies, but it is what we owe them.

Gail, please continue to share your thoughts as you continue your journey with Zoey. So many people care about both you and Zoey. We have learned so much due to your contribution to our community, and we want to hear what's in your heart. Letting go is so difficult, but I can tell you that these lives that have touched our hearts so never lreally eave us. They prepare and teach us to keep our hearts open to love again. You have an enormous, wide open heart, and Magic, Zoey, and Razzle are so lucky to have you as their mom.

[roseslevi]

Gail,

I wish you had gotten better news from the oncologist. But, I am praying for a little divine intervention to help you enjoy your precious Zoey. Sending hugs to you Gail.

[Sweet Girls]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

So now........it has come to this. And, as demonstrated every step along the way on this unfortunate journey, you have set your jaw, you have taken a deep breath, and you have chosen the path that is best for your precious Zoey. While you heart breaks and your soul shudders at the words spoken by the oncologist, while every fiber in your body screams to do everything you can possibly do to keep Zoey here as long as medical science will possibly allow, you have put Zoey first and foremost in this horrible duel to the end with this disease. Medical treatment can be utterly brutal, accomplishing nothing but delaying the inevitable. You have made an end of life choice for Zoey that assures her QUALITY of life for whatever time she has left. That is a choice made out of the boundless love you have for her, regardless of the pain it is causing you. I carry a poem in my purse...."She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. She will be yours, loyal, faithful, and true, til the very last beat of her heart.....You owe it to her to be worthy of such complete devotion." Gail, you show her you are indeed, worthy. God bless you and give you peace and the strength needed to get you through this.

Everything I would like to say has been said. It is both the blessing and curse of "ownership" that allows us to make these decisions for our beloved family members. A curse because of the guilt and pain we feel having to make this decision, and a blessing that our loved ones do not need to suffer needlessly. As your dogs have taught you, live in the present, the pain of the future can be faced in the future...for today rejoice in your moments together.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Oh, Gail, I am so sorry to read what the vets recently told you. It's heartbreaking & so hard to hear. I pray that the days you have left with your little one are magical and time can stand still for your family for a while. I know you will treasure & hold dear your precious hours left with Zoey and make each special. She has given you much love that you return and I know that grows with every day that passes. God bless you all as you walk this path together and may He keep you, every one, in strength & peace.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Time is somewhat standing still, but also zooming ahead. Trying to plan for end of life decisions, and yet stay in the moment with her, can be a little schzoid.

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

So now........it has come to this. And, as demonstrated every step along the way on this unfortunate journey, you have set your jaw, you have taken a deep breath, and you have chosen the path that is best for your precious Zoey. While you heart breaks and your soul shudders at the words spoken by the oncologist, while every fiber in your body screams to do everything you can possibly do to keep Zoey here as long as medical science will possibly allow, you have put Zoey first and foremost in this horrible duel to the end with this disease. Medical treatment can be utterly brutal, accomplishing nothing but delaying the inevitable. You have made an end of life choice for Zoey that assures her QUALITY of life for whatever time she has left. That is a choice made out of the boundless love you have for her, regardless of the pain it is causing you. I carry a poem in my purse...."She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. She will be yours, loyal, faithful, and true, til the very last beat of her heart.....You owe it to her to be worthy of such complete devotion." Gail, you show her you are indeed, worthy. God bless you and give you peace and the strength needed to get you through this.

Wow just wow YorkieMom, how truly honest and almost poetic your words are. I will need all the peace and strength offered to me as we go forward. Worthy? of that incredible and unmatched love and devotion a dog will give their human. I'm not so sure. I only know that I elected to care for these beings, mayhap the universe/god directed them into my care. Never mind how or why but they are Here with me. And I love that poem you carry in your purse. Actually I've always felt that we are both defenders and protectors of each other, an equality of purpose, a melding of loves, a need that went out from soul to soul, and someway, somehow we found each other.

Originally Posted by lisaly

Yorkiemom1, that is really beautiful. It takes a lot of courage and love to always make choices that are in the best interest of our babies, but it is what we owe them.

Gail, please continue to share your thoughts as you continue your journey with Zoey. So many people care about both you and Zoey. We have learned so much due to your contribution to our community, and we want to hear what's in your heart. Letting go is so difficult, but I can tell you that these lives that have touched our hearts so never lreally eave us. They prepare and teach us to keep our hearts open to love again. You have an enormous, wide open heart, and Magic, Zoey, and Razzle are so lucky to have you as their mom.

Thank you my friend.

[BonBon]

The others who have posted above have spoken my thoughts and feelings much better than I ever could, but I can't quote them all even though I echo their words. I keep you and Zoey in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to, Gail. Thank you for sharing the story of her joy at the dog park - I had to smile at the image of her that brought to mind.

Much love and hugs for you both.

[Shelby&Seymour]

You have a great spirit, Gail! The attitude is a good one but I am sure sometimes difficult to maintain. Give Zoey lots of hugs from us..... it is good knowing that she is getting to do the things that she loves to do!
You guys are in our thoughts!
Hugs!

[lisaly]

You and Zoey remain always in my heart, prayers, and thoughts. I understand the love and also your pain, but it's so difficult to find the words to help you with your journey with Zoey. I wish I could do something to comfort you. I found a beautiful poem that perhaps you've seen. I hope you have many more precious, beautiful moments with Zoey.

The Journey
by Crystal Ward Kent

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savouring life's simple pleasures -- jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information.

Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details: the colourful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig.

Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows that nature has created a marvellously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching: summer insects collecting on a screen; how bizarre they are; how many kinds there are or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by.

You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewy toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a cat in hot pursuit, all in the name of love.

Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go.

A pet's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

[Maximo]

Lisa, that is a beautiful poem. I am saving it.

Thinking of you, Gail, and Zoey.

Originally Posted by lisaly

A pet's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

[salazark]

Gail, All I can say is amen to all the caring posts others have left for you. I've always admired you and the life you provide for your dogs. This is just a testament to continuing to put them first. God bless you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you peace.

[Patti]

I will keep Zoey in my prayers. I hope she enjoys some great days of dancing and running. All the beautiful posts above say it all.

[kjc]

Beautiful posts...can't see to type... still praying...hugs...

[mamaj]

Sending my prayers for Zoey and a for you.