10 year old female beagle just diagnosed with Cushings - Ginger has passed

62 weeks... hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the spring/summer weather. We had a rather warm week last week with highs near 90. Rain came in and cooled us off. We are a very pleasant high 70's. Got the garden in and that felt good. Tomato plants look good. I have radishes peeking through the soil and my zucchini is just barely cracking the surface. Mother's Day was hard, as I know it will be every year, but enjoyed the day with my mom. She has her 92nd birthday this Friday so another very welcomed and thankful celebration. I will always miss Ginger every single day... some days much more than others.. trying to hold on to the good times and wrap my heart and thoughts with her unconditional love!
Happy Spring, almost Summer.
Hugs to all. Blessings always, Colleen

Hello everyone and happy Sunday. Hope this finds everyone doing well.
66 weeks today my little girl Ginger has been gone. Doesn't seem real.. I miss her everyday, everywhere I go..
I talk to her daily, sometimes several times a day. She was my confidant, best friend, and baby. It's a bond nothing and no amount of time can break and for that I am truly, truly grateful. Have been doing better for the most part. There are times things are still a bit rocky, but healing takes time and everyone is different. I continue to help with mom, she turned 92 last month. The dementia is progressing. but that is expected.I also conrinue to do for our veterans and seniors when I can and the garden is looking wonderful. Just got my second harvest of radishes! Be blessed, be kind to yourself.. it's ok, not to be ok sometimes.
Love, Colleen

Beaming plenty of love right back at you, Colleen! We so appreciate your updates, and surely understand that the mixture of good and bad days (heck, good and bad *moments*) may well persist for a long, long time. Even though it’s hard for me to believe it, it’s now been six years today since my husband and I last held our sweetie Peg in our arms. Six whole years, and yet in some ways I could swear it was only six months ago. I think grief has a way of collapsing time and flooding us with memories, probably forever. But along with the memories there remains a connection of love that I will always treasure and never regret. I hope that will be true for you, too.

And good job with helping your mom, and the other folks in your community. Dementia is such a cruel thief. I’m sure your help is a huge gift to her, and also all the others. And congrats on your garden! I have several outdoor pots of flowers and herbs that I’m tending, and so far they’ve done great. But we have a major heat wave moving in, so I’m sure I’ll need to be watering a lot more and maybe shifting things to more shaded areas as well. It’ll be worth it, though, to keep everything going. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks again for checking back in with us, and continue to take good care of yourself!
Marianne

Hey Colleen,
Always good to get your updates and that things may be getting easier and Yes it is ok not to be ok sometimes. I still talk to my little Mytilda and actually all of my doggies that have passed ---- I know they hear me and some of my friends think I am a nutter :) but I have it much better than them, at least I had the love and bond and life with very special doggies and they did not. You are busy. And wow, 92 years old! blessings to your Mom!!!
Take care
Terry

Good evening all. Hope this finds you and yours doing well! Have had a hot summer starting out. Got a few harvests of radishes, one zucchini is all so far. Some carrots. My tomatoes are plentiful but none have ripened yet. We have enjoyed green fried tomato BLT's though. If. you haven't ever tried them. Please do!
Have been doing alright emotionally for the most part. Was sick for about a month. Thought a lot about Ginger as she always laid by me when I was sick.
But am much better and am doing my best to enjoy the good times. I always talk to her. I always will and I will forever miss her, but I am thankful for each day we had.
Have a great week. Blessings, Colleen

Greetings to you, too, Colleen! Yep, fried green tomatoes in any form can sure be yummy :-))). I had not really had them before we moved to Georgia, but they tend to be a regular offering on vegetable plates here in the south, and I do enjoy them especially during the heart of the summer.

I'm so sorry to hear you've been sick, but so glad that's behind you now. I sure understand how much of a comfort Ginger always was in the past, and how much you continue to miss her. I know that part will never change and that you'll always miss her. But as you say, your memories will never leave you nor will your love for your girl.

Stay healthy and I hope you'll have some more tasty summer veggies on your plate before long!
Marianne

Good morning. Hope everyone is doing well. This past Thursday, September 1st. My sweet girl Ginger would have been 18! It was her 2nd Heavenly Birthday and as hard as it was, we celebrated her with a small cupcake like I always bought her, or made for her. It was bittersweet knowing she wasn't here to enjoy one with us ( sometimes it brings the guilt out), and yet we wanted and needed to Honor her.... I am so glad she is no longer hurting, but I still miss her every day and still long to change the outcome. I guess that is normal and will always be.
Enjoy your weekend. Blessings to all, Colleen

So good to see you, Colleen, and I’m so glad you guys shared that cupcake with Spirit Ginger! It’s so sweet to honor her special day — and all your special memories — in this way.

Can you believe September is already here? Seems like it was just yesterday that we were talking about summer vegetables, and now they’re already stocking our store with Halloween candy. I really can’t believe it. But I do love the autumn, and I remember from your sweet photos from last year how much Ginger loved it, too. Best wishes to you, my friend, as you continue to honor all the special days in your little girl’s life.

Hugs, Marianne

Thank you so much for remembering how much Ginger loved fall and rustling through the leaves and the crisp air to take a walk. Yesterday Sunday, marked 81 weeks... still so hard to believe. Sometimes it seems like it was only last week, other times it seems much longer... She was just the sweetest little girl, so loving, so funny, so trusting, such a needy baby and I cherish all of it and miss all of it also. Every day I miss it and miss her. I will forever.
I tell her so every day...
Hope this finds you all doing well..
Yes, it is hard to believe it is almost October.. I have a few more green tomatoes on the vine. Picked 4 ripe ones Friday. I dont know if the rest will ripen but if not, I will pick them and fry them up!
Blessings always, Colleen

Blessing to you too Colleen and spirit Ginger.
Terry

Thank you Terry. Appreciate that an awful lot.
Hoping you and yours are doing ok?

87 weeks Sunday... it just doesn't seem real at times.
I see all the leaves on the ground and gathered on the fence rows and remember just how much Ginger loved to walk through the leaves making as much noise as possible. Sometimes they were so deep all you could see was her head and tail!�� She so loved fall and could take much longer walks with the cooler weather.
Such a special little beagle God blessed us with.
I pray you all are doing well. Blessings. Colleen

Hi Colleen! Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, and for bringing a smile to our faces as we picture sweet Ginger amidst the autumn leaves. Memories like these are beyond priceless, aren’t they?

Also, in case you’re interested, I just wanted to let you know that our “holiday house” is open for business once again this year on our “In Loving Memory” forum. Should you wish to stop by at any time during the coming weeks, we’ll surely be so glad to have you there ;-).

https://www.k9cushings.com/forum/sho...ys-can-be-hard

Either way, though, here or there, it’s always so good to hear from you!
Marianne

Thank you so much Marianne! I will definitely be stopping by again this year.

98 weeks my baby has been gone.
18 years ago today, my( our) life changed forever!��❤.. you came into our lives a 5 month old precious tiny pup. So needy, so loving, so full of life. We celebrated 16 birthdays and 16 " welcome homes" with you! 15 Thanksgivings and Christmases! We are indeed grateful and thankful for every single day. You filled our lives with so much joy! It was so fulfilling to be so needed, so loved unconditionally. Miss you every single day Ginger...

Sending huge and loving hugs.

Oh Colleen...those precious memories. Some days they are the only thing that keeps me whole - remembering all the great times had with my babies. Even though the tears come there is also joy and a sense of blessing that I was allowed to share my life with them.

Thank you for continuing to include us in your journey of grief...and never think you are on that journey alone. We walk with you every step.

Hugs,
Leslie

104 weeks!!! 2 whole years.... this Tuesday, March 7th.
I still have trouble accepting it. I don't want to accept it, never will.. I miss her every single day.
It just doesn't seem possible. Sometimes it seems like it was just a few weeks ago, other times it feels so long ago that she was here by my side. Me comforting her, her comforting me. Oh to have that again! Sometimes it isn't the tears that fall from our eyes that sting so badly, it is the tears that fall from our soul!
My baby, my best friend, my soul mate, my confidante. The sight of the rainbow bridge cannot come soon enough.
Hope you and yours are all doing well.
Blessings. Colleen

So well said, Colleen...sometimes I wonder how much more my heart can take.

Sending huge and loving hugs. ❤

Most definitely. Sending love and.hugs.
I am just getting over Covid that went into bronchitis and pneumonia..
Actually caught it 6 weeks ago, but it has been a long recovery. My sweet 92 year old momma and older sister caught it 2 weeks ago so I was over helping them. They are on the upswing, thankfully. I am also but still have cough and get tired easily. So much needs done and I just don't have the energy yet.

Omigoodness, Colleen, healing wishes being sent to you and your whole family. I know what a comfort Ginger would have been to you during this illness. Always by your side before, I believe your sweet Angel is still with you in spirit, though. Take good care of yourself, my friend!

Oh my goodness, Colleen, you take care of yourself. Many of my family members had covid too and it can take a while to get over it. Sending healing energy and more loving hugs!

My son has had it twice now. The last time he had the flu at the same time, ugh! So far, we have managed to avoid it...

Feel better soon!

Oh me! Please be extra good to yourself! Try not to worry about anything but getting better. Rest, rest, rest and loads of water. I am glad to know your mom and sister are doing better and know I want the same for you!

Hugs,
Leslie

Oh Colleen I am so very sorry to read this! Please take care of yourself for sure!
Sending healing hugs
Terry

Thank you all. Yes, Ginger would havw been right beside me the whole while. I know she is with me as my Angel. I miss those long soft ears to stroke, but I know she is healrhy, patiently waiting for me. Thank you for the healing wishes and good thoughts. I know it takes time. I am just terrible at being the patient. I am usually the caregiver.
Loads of love to you all. Stay healrhy.
Blessings, Colleen

Hello everyone and Happy Easter, Happy Resurrection Day! I hope you all have had a wonderful day! We are sunny and 65! The sunshine is very welcomed! I am FINALLY about over this long hsul Covid/ bronchitis/ pneumonia cough and crud. Talk about draining and depressing! But I am also very thankful it never got any worse.
109 weeks... every Sunday hits a little harder than most days.. always will. To have that image of Ginger having that seizure on the porch for almost 2 hours is something I will never forget. Once you see something, you cannot unsee it. Poor little girl. So brave and loving. I will always and forever miss her and part of me will be sad for the rest of my life. But I also learned so much about unconditional love and compassion. Those are what I am doing my best to work on and celebrate.
Hope you and yours are all well. Always here if you need to chat or just someone to listen.
Blessi gs always. Colleen

Awww, Colleen, thank you and I hope your Easter was wonderful as well, I am also very happy to read that you are getting better, that is great news! I am sure your precious Ginger has been looking over you while you are recovering as she will always do. We are here for you and please do come back to talk with us whenever you want.

Love and Hugs, Lori

Absolutely Ginger has been and always is looking after me.
Thank you so much. I will always come back and talk and share. There is nothing more comforting than thise who know the love and loss of our precious 4 legged family members.
Hugs back. Love, Colleen

I’m so glad, too, to hear that you’re finally feeling better!! It’s definitely been a long haul for you. Thank you so much for your holiday well wishes. Yesterday was four months to the day that we lost Luna, and of course she was in my mind and heart throughout the day, just as you carried Ginger alongside you. Things can never be the same as they were for us before, can they. But we’ll always have our dear memories.

As always, it’s so good to hear from you. And especially to know that you’re recovering!

A happy and loving belated Easter greeting from my house to yours,
Marianne

Marianne, my heart goes out to you. I remember those early days and months.. so, so raw. No, they can never be the same. I think that is oart of the reason it hurts so much. We can, and are thankful for each day we had, but it is never, ever enough.
I came across a writing, I am going to try to share. I praying it is comforting to you and any others that are hurting.
Love, Colleen
Love Came First by Donna Answorth
You don't move on after loss, but you must move "with".
You must shake hands with grief, welcome her in for she lives with you now. Pull her a chair at the table, and offer her comfort. She is not the monster you once thought her to be. She is "love" and she will walk with you now, stay with you now, peacefully, If you let her. And on the dsys when your anger is high, remember why she came. Remember who she represents. Remember. Grief came to you my friend because love came first. "LOVE CAME FIRST"

Colleen, thank you so much for your sweet notes to me, both here and on Luna’s thread. And what a comfort this little writing is. Truly. It really does help to be able to think about the pain in a different way. Thank you for this, my friend. Thank you so much.

115 weeks... Gosh, Ginger would have loved the weather we are having. Sunny, breezy, mid to high 70's. She'd have loved laying in the cool grass as I planted my garden. That cool grass on her belly, then she would roll over and do her little side to side wiggles!���� I miss everything about her. I suppose I always will. She also would have loved going to see her Grandma Sat and celebrating her 93rd birthday! She loved going to see my mom and dad( when daddy was still alive). They, too had a special connection. She also loved somewhere different to walk, get new sents and check the cornfields for bunnies. Every season holds different memories of her, of us.. thankful we had so many.
I hope this finds all of you and yours well..
Blessings, Colleen

Sending huge and loving hugs.

Thank you. Back to you!

Hello everyone. Praying this finds you all doing well. I know it has been some time since I have checked in and I apologize for that. I have thought about you all several times.
Since my last post, my husband was diagnosed with melanoma on his scalp. It has been one appointment after another since May. Fortunately with God's grace, he has had surgery on the top of his head, about a 3 inch circle, lymph node removed and biopsied and skin graft.
There was no cancer in his lymph node and the margins around the melanoma on his head were clear. He is healing, it is just taking time. Lots to be thankful for but my anxiety levels have been very high.
Tomorrow marks 7 years since daddy passed and Sunday will be 124 weeks my sweet Ginger has been gone.
So far I am handling things okay but I am aware that my emotions are pretty high going in to tomorrow.
Ginger was always my comforter in pressing times and I miss that tremendously, besides everything else about her. That said, I will get through it. Just sharing helps to ease things. Small progress is still progress and deserves celebrating. I hope you all are doing okay. Give me a shout to say hello, or if you need an ear, I am here.
Blessings always, Colleen

Oh Colleen, I'm surely thinking of you today. No matter how many years have passed, anniversaries still continue to hold a lot of emotion for me, too. My memories seem to have renewed power over me on those days, both happy and sad. And without Ginger there alongside you, yup, I know that makes things even harder.

I know you're so grateful that your husband seems to have dodged a huge bullet with his melanoma, but I'm also sure there was an awful lot of stress for you both along the way. We can't take a single day for granted, can we? We've had a lot of medical appointments around our house, too. Thankfully, nothing that's turned out to be a major issue thus far. But as the years roll by, the worries do seem to gather and lurk. Just like with Ginger, my doggies were often both a great distraction from my worries and also a great comfort to me. I do miss having a furry companion so much. Originally we had thought that we might be ready to welcome another sweet spirit by this fall. But we still have enough "stuff" on our agenda that it seems wiser to wait a while longer. But there's still a huge hole in our house and our hearts, for sure.

Anyway, as I say, I am thinking of you today, my friend. I often light a little candle at the end of my day, in honor or memory of someone or something, to glow warmly through the evening. Tonight's candle will be lit for you and your daddy, Colleen. As always, I'm so glad you've checked back in with us to share your news and to lend your ear.

Best wishes and big hugs being sent your way,
Marianne

Thank you so much Marianne. Hugs coming your way. Thankful your appointments have not been major and pray they continue that way. "Anniversary dates"( I hate calling them that). Are always hard for everyone. Yes it is a mix of emotions. Sad, regretful, happy and thankful times. Renewed power in memories most definitely! It's like our hearts are a jigsaw puzzle and once that piece is, or pieces are gone, none ever fit it again quite right. Which in many ways is good because that means each will always hold a special place in our hearts, but at the same time, it also means pieces of our heart will always be empty. Lifing you and yours up in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings always. Colleen

Just now lit my candle, Colleen. It's up on my mantle where I can see it all evening. My husband just passed through and asked, "Who is your candle for tonight?" I said, "For Colleen, and her daddy, and little Ginger." He smiled and nodded and went on about his business. After all my years here with our K9C family, thankfully he totally understands and nothing more is needed to be said...