| lisaly | 07-07-2010 07:22 PM |
I always look forward to reading your posts and I love hearing how Layla, Scott, and you are doing. Your story is so heartwarming and inspirational. Seeing the videos today moved me so, and it was definitely the highlight of my day. Layla is just so precious, adorable, and loving. I loved seeing all the kisses while she was on the exercise ball. Dogs amaze me with their unconditional love, and Layla is a very special little girl. She has a determination that matches that of her loving parents, who will do anything for her. I can see how much Layla wants to please you. I was so moved by one of your posts 3 week ago when you mentioned getting her a cart the end of this month and that you'd be happy and love her if she stayed just as she is at that point. You’ve done so much to help her, and Layla has made amazing progress. You are such devoted parents, and because of that, you’ve given her a chance at getting better. She may be different that she was before just in terms of not being able to walk, but her spunk, beautiful personality, and loving nature is still the same. I bet you love her more now than ever, though. My little Ashley had doggy Alzheimer’s the last year of her life. She would have been seventeen years old two days ago, but she passed away a month ago. When she was alive, I missed so much of her personality that had changed due to the Alzheimer’s, but I know I loved her more than ever. With the Alzheimer’s, she was still very responsive with my husband and me, and she was very affectionate and wanted to be with us all the time. She no longer knew what something my husband announced to her every day meant. He’d get all excited, hold her, and tell her, “Mommy’s home,” when he’d hear me pull up when I came home from work. Before the Alzheimer’s, she would go crazy and her little body would wiggle so uncontrollably, because she’d be so excited. She no longer reacted when he said those words, but her hearing wasn’t great by that point and that probably was part of it. When Ashley would see me, however, it would take her a second to react, and then she’d realize and give me all those crazy kisses and wiggles. She may not have known that I was Mommy anymore, but she knew I was someone she loved. I missed my little baby that I knew before she had Alzheimer’s, but I don’t think I could have loved my baby more than I did. Life already revolved around her before the Alzheimer’s; she was our baby and always had been. But then she needed us to take care of her 24 hours a day so that we could protect her and give her more love and make her feel safe. We would have done anything for Ashley, and she was happy when she was with us. I look at Layla and I see how happy and loved she is. I know you will do anything for Layla. I am quite sure that the love and attention that you have given her have brought you even closer and that you feel even more love than before, if that’s possible. I know all of this because I’ve read and loved every post in this thread, and I have also experienced it with my own little precious angel. | 