It’s been a year

My sunshine Frida,

It’s been a year since you left this world. We had such a hard time dealing with the reality that you were gone forever. The house was so sad without your noisy self. But we never second guessed the decisions we made, and we know that you are in a much better place, where cancer cannot hurt you anymore.

We were so happy that you sent a signal on Christmas day 2015! It made us feel that you were fine, and we felt your love. We want to thank you for
sending another cloud signal a few weeks ago. I didn’t have my phone handy, but we clearly saw it.

Life has been good here. Do you remember my PJ that had a moose? The one that Mark would joke that we were “The adventures of Moosey and the Grey  girl”? Well, I turned it into a cushion that now rests on the bay window, in our bedroom. Your memorial is on the shelf, I see your picture everyday and today there’s a candle. Your favourite toys (Monkey, the ball, and Lamby) are on a shelf in my office. And our family picture is on my desk, and on Mark’s screen saver.

You know it, I cannot hide it . We still cry for you. We miss you. We wonder why you had to leave us so soon. We still remember your loud barking, your beautiful eyes and your loving soul. We go places and we talk about you. There are memories everywhere. We always wish you could have stayed longer. We wanted so much to have you around us for a longer time.

After you left we were so sad. But you know what? You left a legacy of love and friends. We found support in so many great friends, and through your disease I met good people who today remain in my life.  You made our hearts bigger, so today there are two dogs in our house!! Can you believe it?  Maya and Bailey are with us now.  We will try to give them a good life. They weren’t as privileged as you were, but they are with us, safe, loved and happy.

My sunshine, a  year ago we were at the vet helping you to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Today we were there to get stuff for Bailey and Maya. I think that means that life goes on, that we will always remember you, but that we have to move forward and keep this roller coaster moving.

My beloved Frida, you are where you belong: in our hearts. We will never forget you. You will always be the bravest of the brave, the schnauzer that came to teach us about love, about courage. You were a small dog, but your spirit was so big that touched our lives in a way that you will never know!  We love you to the moon and back, words will never be enough to express how much you meant to Mark and me.  But we do know that one day, we will be together again.  Until that day comes, we will remember you.

With love,

Your human parents, Veronica & Mark

“What you have once enjoyed you can never lose…All that we love deeply becomes a part of us”~ Hellen Keller

Still grieving…

I just realized I haven’t posted anything in 4 months.  Are we OK now, and just decided to close this chapter/blog? The answer is NO.

It’s been 9 months since our little one left this world. And sometimes it seems it was so long ago. And so many days I can still feel that she’s here with us.  Maya arrived in March, and that little rascal brought a breeze of fresh air, and a ticket for another roller-coaster ride!!  That’s another story, but she has certainly kept us super busy, getting her health back on track.

I’m totally convinced that Frida came to our lives to teach us many things. I am so grateful for everything I have learned about taking care of a sick dog, because it has been very useful for us. And in the middle of our new challenges, Frida’s name always comes during our conversations. There are so many memories and so many years that we shared with her. Sometimes we call Maya “Frida”! Poor Maya, she must wonder who was that dog who is constantly mentioned by her humans.

Frida was robbed so many years from us, and I will always wonder:  Why? But I guess the answer would be: Why not?  But what it’s true is that a dog leaves a profound footprint in the heart. Their absence is hard to live with, and their memory is so cherished, that is hard to believe that an animal can provoke those feelings. And then is when you realize that they are not just an “animal”.  If you open your heart, you will discover the purest, most amazing friendship, an infinite loyalty, the most sincere forgiveness, and the most genuine love for life.

My Frida, your memory still brings tears to my eyes. We haven’t forgotten you. You are so alive in our hearts. We miss you so much at night, when the quiet moment finally arrives and we wonder how you are doing. We know that you are happy and healthy now, but we still miss you girl! You were my sunshine, my little darling, my companion, my little furry girl. We were blessed by having you in our lives, and we know that you must be pleased to see that those two inexperienced humans, who barely knew how to take care of a puppy, are giving Maya a chance to live the same life that you were so lucky to have.

Our first summer without you is coming to an end. Soon we will close the cycle of the first year. It will never be easy, but certainly time helps to heal.

I love you Frida, and miss you to the moon and back!

Whistler, Rainbow Park, Summer 2011 & 2012

“It’s hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember”~Unknown

5 and 2

It’s been five months.  It seems that it happened a long time ago, but we still feel a void in our hearts. We still cry. It’s amazing how  the memories come all the time.  I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m talking about 6 years of our life. Frida was with us since she was 7 weeks old, we raised her, we saw her grow, we were with her every moment of her canine life! So yes, our hearts are filled with memories of those years.

However, along this process, we realized that there was room in our heart and home for a new furry friend.  This time we decided to try with a rescue dog, actually, a Mexican rescue dog. Many people asked:  why? There are many local rescued dogs available. But honestly,  Mark and I are totally aware of the horrible life that many dogs have in countries like Mexico, where dogs are seen like working tools, disposable beings, or a living lab to try all kinds of cruelty.  We won’t be able to save all those dogs, but at least we decided to save one.  That’s how Maya entered the picture!  Maya is a stray dog, from Guayabitos, Jalisco. She’s around two years old and she’s a lovely furry girl! She has been with us for almost 2 months now.

Maya brought fresh air to our home, and along, her own health issues.  Maya has challenged our local vets with her very particular problems, and our financial, medical and nursing skills are being tested once again.

At some point I thought if we were a magnet of bad luck. But today I see things different: We have been given the dog we can take care of.  We have been given dogs that require lots of care, follow up, attention, compassion, love and we can share that. It’s a struggle, some days it’s not easy, especially when everything we went through with Frida is still so raw. But that experience has made us stronger, wiser, more sensitive. We know better now. And in return, we have been so lucky that for the second time we have at home a sweet, gentle soul, that has so much love to give, and that we are praying we will be able to help. So far there is lots of hope and optimism, and we are sure that after this bumpy start, we will have many years of happy doggy time to enjoy.

So once more I see that the question is not Why? but What for?  I’m finding that Frida paved the way so we could be strong for another dog, and I’m sure that she’s so pleased to know that a poor, stray, lonely dog is now with us. I’m not sure that Frida would have loved living with Maya, she was so used to be “only child” but what I feel is that she knew when it was time to cede her place in our home for a dog that was condemned to someday die alone in the streets of a small town.

There’s a new dog at home. And in a short time she has found a place in our heart. Who cannot love Maya? But certainly our love for Frida is, and will be forever one of a kind. My Frida, how much we miss you little girl, how much we think about you, how much you taught us. We were so lucky!  And honoring all that love we welcome Maya to our life.

 

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart.” Erica Jong

“Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” ― Karen Davison

 

Reflecting on 90

It’s been 90 days since Frida crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Some days it seems that it was so long ago, yet I still catch myself feeling that I have to go back home to take her for a walk.  Some days we enjoy our “freedom” and many, many nights, when we are in bed, before turning off the lights, we start talking about her, and I end up sleeping teary eyed.  My after run showers continue to be the natural refuge to let a river of tears flow, that the warm, running water showers away.

After 365 days that this blog was born, I reflect how many words have been written and how many feelings have been expressed. How many tears have been shed, how many hearts have been touched, how many canine lives have been lost, and how we fall apart and rebuild our broken hearts.  And in the middle of our sorrow, our raw pain, the only force that matters is LOVE.

I want to honour the teachings of my furry one.  She taught me to live the moment, to be strong . Even in her worst moments there was never a time when she didn’t show us her love and gratitude. I know that she must have been afraid sometimes, but that never brought out the worst of her, it was just the opposite. Every hurdle along the way Frida showed us her best!

I have been reflecting for weeks how lucky I was to have met such a beautiful, gentle,sweet, and loving soul.  Time will help our healing process, and love will work its magic once again. We cannot let fear and sadness take control, we cannot be afraid of loving.  Because love is stronger than anything.  Love is the answer.

Frida, I will love you forever.

 

 

 

Signals

Today is two months since Frida got her wings.  Our grieving process continues. We are healing, and we will love her forever.

It’s today that I want to share a beautiful experience we had.  I totally believe that we receive signals from our departed ones. Once again, I don’t really think those signals have a harp playing on the background, and celestial creatures floating on a cloud.  Some people don’t believe in those signals simply because they don’t want to. That’s fine.  But I think that if God has always communicated with us and sent signals (dreams, rainbows, doves, etc) why it is impossible to get a message that will make us feel better?  In the Guarani culture the hummingbird is seen as a collector of souls, and it’s said that when they appear in our garden it’s a signal that our departed ones are OK.  Butterflies, birds, a song, a scent. I think that simple things that make our heart rejoice and bring an instant memory of the person, and a smile to our face, is a clear signal, that they are fine, close to us.  However, I wasn’t sure how would that work in the animal world.

Last December, on Christmas Day evening we were driving to meet the family for dinner. The evening was beautiful, and when we left home the sunset was starting to take place.  We had been just some minutes on the road and I decided to take a selfie, as I had my makeup and had done my hair.  I started the camera app, and held the phone to take the selfie, when I realized I had not switched it to the selfie mode, so the “lens” was not pointing at me.  And through the screen I saw a beautiful sunset, so I forgot about the selfie and just shot randomly some pictures of a beautiful sunset on a Christmas Day Evening.  After the second shot, I saw something on the screen and my heart stopped:  I looked at the sky, and yes, my eyes were not lying to me.  Mark was driving, he made a left turn and the horizon disappeared from our sight, but I had captured the image and I had to make Mark stop and look at the screen. We weren’t crazy, it was not imagination. It was there.

Do you see what I see? (Picture copyright Veronica Webster 2015)

As it is said, an image is worth a thousand words.  Keep your mind and heart open. We live in a world where Earth and Heaven are not that apart.  Let your eyes see through the love that lives in your heart.  Open up to receive, to fill your saddened heart with joy. Trust, don’t let anyone call you crazy or that you are being victim of your imagination.  Our loved ones live in our heart and the eyes of love are able to see beyond our limited, human sight.

Yes my Frida, we know that you are fine. We are OK too. We are happy. We are looking forward to the future, we already have plans and are excited about it.  We are full of love, and you inspire us.  Thank you for the Christmas present. Run free in Heaven, until we meet again!!

The power of a prayer

It’s been a quarantine of feelings.  The new year brought a breeze of hope, of a new start, but also the reality of not having Frida.  We are  back to work, Mark during the day, I resumed my night school teaching, and we both have missed Frida so much.  She would be with me during the day, and she would be with Mark in the evenings, and then all of us would be together for the night.  It’s been sad realizing those times are gone. We know we will be OK, and time will heal our saddened hearts.

Time, time, and a prayer.  Since the beginning of this long process, praying has been a source of relief and support.  Some of you might say What’s new with that? People pray all the time!  But that’s not totally true.  Being in touch with so many dog lovers who are struggling has made me realize how many of us at some point of our lives stop believing in the power of a prayer.  I include myself there, as many years ago,at some time of my life I wasn’t so sure that I was being listened, or that my prayers were going to the right place. But this time it was so different. Since day one I prayed, because I trusted He was going to listen, and answer my prayer.

A candle and prayers helped me through a difficult night. Her toy under the table

I remember so well that night before the surgery, when my poor Frida had a horrible diarrhea, and was in so discomfort that we basically spent the whole night in the living room. I took her outside so many times and my poor little one just jumped from one sofa to the other trying to find some comfort. I finally sat next to her, lighted a candle, and started praying. I just asked God that she would find some rest and comfort to get to the following morning, I put my hands on top of her, and prayed, and prayed. And little by little my Frida stopped her discomfort and could fall sleep for some hours before heading to the vet. Some might say it was just that she felt I was relaxed and that my relaxed energy calmed her down. It’s possible, but I couldn’t have done that without a stronger power, that was able to give me the inner peace I needed at that moment.

 

 

During the nine months that we fought Frida’s cancer there were so many prayers and positive thoughts. So many candles lighted for her, people I didn’t even know who prayed for her, for us.  And so many others sending positive thoughts our way.  I truly believe that we got as far as we got just because of all that energy, that healing Power. Of course that many times there were no prayers, sometimes I just felt discouraged, or so happy that I would forget. But I have tried to be better in that sense, and to thank for every moment we had and to ask with confidence for what I need. This time I chose to trust that God was listening, and that the power of a prayer goes beyond our human nature.

The last day, before we left home we prayed. A few group of friends and family knew what was happening and they were praying. We had our great friend Jen lighting a candle for us in Ireland.

Family and friends praying for us via What’s app

Lighting our journey from Ireland, Jen and Honey

On our way, which was a 10 minutes ride, Mark and I were feeling so overwhelmed. Frida was sitting on my lap, something that she never would like to do, but she sat there with me. She was shivering, I knew she was afraid. I started praying out loud, asking God to give us strength and to make her feel safe. And I started singing a song, Nada es imposible para ti (Nothing is Impossible for You) that has a very special meaning for me. The main choir says something like  ” Why am I fearing, if there’s nothing impossible for you” I sang, all the verses I could remember, and hummed it for several minutes. My hands on Frida’s body, petting her.  I will never forget how the car started filling with a peace and a serenity that I cannot describe. Frida stopped shivering, we arrived to the vet and Mark and I felt totally peaceful, calmed.  After that I prayed one more time, when the technician was inserting the catheter it was taking a little bit of effort. I just prayed so many times “Please God, lead her hand, and let her find the vein, help Jen to do it” Frida didn’t move an inch during the whole time.  I can totally say that God was with us all along the way, and that all my prayers were answered.

 

On the Facebook group for Dogs with Cancer,  when people ask how they can feel better about their dog passing away, my answer is: pray, pray. And if they don’t pray, I pray for them.  A beautiful lady, Diane, posts a prayer every night. I have thanked her so much for doing that.  A prayer is powerful, is comforting. Some people say they don’t know how to pray.  Well, it’s easy, just say what comes from your heart or repeat a traditional formula, like “Our Father”, “Hail Mary”, or the lyrics of an hymn or song.  God or whatever superior power you believe in knows what’s in your heart.  It doesn’t matter the communication media you use (prayer, song, reciting a psalm) as long as it comes from your heart. I like to light a candle too. It makes me feel comforted.

I know I should pray more. Usually we pray a lot when we are in times of trouble. But I guess it’s our human nature.  I compare it to talking to my father. When everything is OK I call him once a week, maybe twice, or text him. When I’m in trouble and I need his support I text him or call him everyday, and he’s there for me.  I should be better at praying and thanking for the blessings I have.

So this little mini schnauzer came to remind me of the power of a prayer, to remind me to trust in God and to make me more aware of my praying flaws.  Wasn’t she a wonderful dog?

Thank you to everybody who prayed.  I’m so  grateful. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Your are in mine.

^” For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18-20

 

 

 

 

30 days since she left

It’s been a month. Today I decided to “close” the WhatsApp group where I started updating my family and some friends about Frida. The group started on February 10th, when a “mass” was discovered.  I have been reading again the chat, the conversations, seeing the pictures, the video, it’s like reading a diary. My thoughts, feelings, the support, the love, everything is there.  I have been crying, not for Frida, but for me. I realized how much I suffered through this entire process, how much I cared for Frida, all the things we did for her. I feel so proud of every single thing I did, and I would do it all over again.  Constantly there’s a mention of how loving she was in return, of how docile, how grateful she seemed all along the way, even during the worst moments.  I know that Frida, Mark and I were a match made in Heaven: we couldn’t have asked for a better dog and she couldn’t have asked for a better home.  Frida was a fantastic dog, but she had many health issues since a young age. If she had had another temperament it would have been a miserable journey. She always needed care, and it was easy to take care of her. And well…. worry is my middle name, so I was always there to detect whatever was going on. If Frida had lived with little or no attention, she wouldn’t have lived 6 years. She would have died of that anaphylactic shock she suffered after a wasp stung her when she was 1 year old.

I’m so grateful for having had her in my life. Her death has left me with a new experience, with so many life lessons. Despite the sadness of not having her around anymore, I feel my heart so full of love.  Little by little tears give more room to a sweet smile that comes to my face when I think about my furry girl.  My grieving journey hasn’t been a stormy one. I have given myself time to cry, to laugh, to meditate and pray. I have given myself the chance to find joy in short runs, in colouring a book, in baking and trying new recipes. Little things that give me so much joy and make me feel at peace.

 

Finding joy and peace

I have re-read a wonderful book called “Dejame llorar” /”Let me cry” by Anjie Carmelo (I don’t think there’s an English version of her book, and saddly no re-prints of it either) and there is a part where she talks about “redefining death”, and basically she points out that if we can get rid of the fear that surrounds death and conquer that fear, it actually becomes one more tool to go through life in a better way and feeling more complete.  She also mentions how dying is not a failure or end, but rising to a new, less limited reality.  And finally when we realize that death is not an enemy, but the means that will lead us to be closer to our beloved, departed ones , we can actually visualize it as a friend.  I guess I was kind of feeling these things some time ago, because this is a drawing I made last August.

My drawing in August, not fighting a lost battle, but trying to let her go with love.

I came to terms with the idea of letting Frida go when the time came, rather than fighting a fight that I was not going to win. However, it’s never easy. It’s not easy to let go the ones we love.

And after all, we had a beautiful, Christmas, surrounded by our love for

Her favourite toys

each other, family and friends. Our Faith has helped us so much along the way. It’s not about understanding, it’s about trusting.  Today I still feel the empty spot she left in the house. Her mat and her favourite toys are under the Christmas tree, and a candle lights her little memorial. In time these things will be gone, but Frida’s presence is in the most important place:  In my heart, where her loving soul left a print that will last forever.

 

“There is no death, daughter. People die only when we forget them,’ my mother explained shortly before she left me. ‘If you can remember me, I will be with you always.”~ Isabel Allende, Eva Luna.

Scrambled eggs along the way

Eating a home baked doggy treat! November 16th 2015

Those of you who have known my Frida for a long time, know that she’s a food lover. Frida loves food, and she would eat anything at anytime. One of the most difficult things these days has been to see pieces of food left intact. I cannot believe a cookie has been sleeping for 24 hours on her mat, and Frida couldn’t care less about it.  She seems to be hungry, but her sense of taste and smell seem to be highly affected by the disease.  I just assume all this based on the experience with my late mother. When she was in the last stages of cancer, she was reluctant to eat lots of things, even her favourite ones. She would say the food tasted bad, or at least that was her perception.  She would eat limited things. At least she could verbalize what was going on. With my Frida it’s a game of guessing, assuming, trying and failing.

We haven’t been sleeping well the last few… weeks? I’m always on alert mode, checking on her or listening to every noise. She also is moving a lot, she seems to be uncomfortable. Right now she’s beside me, sleeping deeply. But at night  it is different. She cannot find a good position to rest. She kicks with her back legs, or moves endlessly.  I am sleep deprived, however I’m trying to keep my running days going,  even when I feel very tired I try to sneak in a short run. That makes me feel good, and I need to give my body a good reason to be tired, not just the lack of sleep. Fortunately my classes are coming to an end so I will be able to get rid of that responsibility for some weeks.

The experience of having a doggy on the last stages of cancer is not very different from my experience with humans.  It must be even closer to the terrible experience of having a sick child who cannot express himself.  I cannot even think how painful that must be.  That makes the tasks even more difficult. But also makes you gather big amounts  of love, patience and compassion. It’s so sad to see how the will to live is slowly taken over by an undermined body. This morning I felt so sad when she seemed reluctant to eat her scrambled egg, one of the few thing she likes lately. But patiently I interested her in the food. I had to hand feed her a little, and then hold the bowl closer to her mouth, and she ate everything! She even cleaned her bowl for me 😉

Every day brings new challenges. Some days I feel I crumble apart, because it’s sad to watch how a disease is taking a life, right in front of you. Some days I feel hopeless, some others I lose my patience. And then I  realize that Frida is still fighting, that she’s still showing affection and excitement when she sees us,  and we are the only ones who can help her to fight, by taking care of her.  When we decided to fight cancer 9 months ago,  somehow we altered the course of nature for an animal. In the wild Frida would have been dead many months ago.  So now we have to continue what we started. I cannot give up on her now, because she’s not giving up yet.

Creativity come to me! Let me find ways to feed this furry girl, that has given so much love to us.  Wisdom stay by my side to be able to see when there’s not more to be done. Love keep alive your magic. And Lord, please continue holding our hand  and sending Your light to guide our steps through this journey.

Dearest God, Heavenly Father
maker of all living creatures,
we ask you to bless Frida,
who brings so much joy into our lives.
By the power of Your love,
enable her to live according to your plan.
May we always praise You for all Your beauty in creation.
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
Blessed are You, God, in all Your creatures!
( from http://www.moodycatholic.com/prayer_animals)