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

[labblab]

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

[gingerbread]

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"

[labblab]

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.

[gingerbread]

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

[Harley PoMMom]

Sending huge and loving hugs.

[gingerbread]

Thank you. Back to you!

[gingerbread]

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

[labblab]

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

[gingerbread]

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

[labblab]

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...