The memories of my little Rat Terrior girl Sandy always bring a smile to my face. If it could be thrown she would eagerly fetch it and bring it back to you and would find a way to have you throw it all over again. So full of endless energy and always such a sweet girl.
I miss her more than I can put into words.
Today begins as a day like so many days as of late.
I wake from a dream that takes me back to that cold drizzly day in May, the last day that I would hold the girl that I loved so very much.
A smile appears on my face, a tear runs down my cheek and chases the smile away, and a memory appears from deep within my heart.
I can see my little girl Sandy. I see her looking up at me with a ball at her feet and her eyes telling me to throw it again.
I see her out in the yard rolling in the grass and laying on her back soaking up the sun.
I see her laying on her favorite chair with her paw covering her nose and sleeping so peacefully after a hard day of play.
That was the Sandy that was so full of energy and so fun.
And then I see her limping as she walks, and her hind legs slipping out from under her as she stands.
I see her sometimes just staring in the distance.
And then I see her looking up at me and her eyes seem to be asking for help.
That was the Sandy that became so tender and needing me in a different way.
All of those visions are memories of the girl that will always live buried deep in my heart.
I will always cherish those memories and I will always miss my girl.
When I decided that I wanted a rat terrior, I contacted a lady who had a litter that was 8 weeks old and I told her that I was looking for a female that was marked like a dairy cow. She informed me that she had three females. When I got to her farm, she was just getting the three females and two males out of the tub and when she let them all out the front door, all of them ran out and started playing in the yard. All except one. That one came running up to me and picked me. That little girl had found her new home and she became my Sandy.
My brother was with me and he held her all the way home, it was a 3 hour drive. That drive, I think is what got her used to riding in a car because from that day forward she loved riding in a car. She made it home without incident and when she got in the house, you would think she had lived there her whole life so far.
My neice came the next day and had brought her some toys and a little red ball. She took to that ball and that became one of the things that she lived for. She loved playing with balls, all sizes. She would bounce the big ballons and balls off of her nose all day long with you. She went everywhere with me and when we went to cookouts, she would wear all the little kids out. As long as you were willing to play, she was game. And when I got her home, she would sleep like a baby, because she had also wore herself out. She was such a fun dog and wherever we went, she never tried to leave the yard we were in.
In early 2019, Sandy was diagnosed with Cushings, and although we were able to keep her blood in check, the next three years took it’s toll on us both. The first time I threw one of her balls and she didn’t go after it, my heart broke. The thing that Sandy loved so much was no longer something she enjoyed.
You brought joy and a smile to the faces of all that got to know you. You were my everything and a piece of my heart will always hold forever your sweet memory.
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Webinar: A Conversation on Pet Loss with Author E.B. Bartels
Join us for this exciting event
In honor of Rainbow Bridge Memorial Day (August 28), we are offering a 20% discount on Silver and Platinum memberships throughout the entire month of August. By joining us, you will have the unique opportunity to create a lasting online memorial for your pet, complete with photos and stories you can cherish.
Navigating Pet Loss & Grief, hosted by Moose’s
March, this webinar is designed to support pet
owners through the difficult journey and depth of
pet loss, anticipatory grief and understanding
guilt. This webinar will also provide 3 key
takeaways for the management of grief,
Featuring insights from renowned experts
Colleen Rolland, Association of Pet Loss and
Bereavement and Dr. Nancy Curotto, Pet Loss &
Bereavement Specialist. Attendees will have an
opportunity to ask questions of the experts.
We understand that the holidays can be a difficult time for pet parents missing their fur babies. APLB will be extending our hours this year to help you – we’ll get through this together.
Sun Dec 24: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun Dec 24: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Dec 25: 8 – 10 pm EST
Tues Dec 26: 8 – 10 pm EST
Wed Dec 27: 8 – 10 pm EST
Fri Dec 29: 8 – 10 pm EST
Sun Dec. 31: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun. Dec 31: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Jan 1: 8 – 10 pm EST
Sat Dec 9: 7- 9 pm EST
Sun Dec 10: 7- 8:30 EST
Sat Dec. 23: 7 – 9 pm EST