Nancy's Noteworthy News

My blog, today, is dedicated to the memory of one of the closest friends I ever had. It's with a sad and heavy heart that I write this. Yesterday, I said goodbye to my companion, friend, buddy, love of my life for the past 12 years----my sweet dog, Misty.

It was exactly 12 years ago this month that a neighbor boy knocked on our door to tell us that there was a puppy lying in the road---that some one had tossed her out a car window. I ran out and scooped up this adorable little brown bundle and brought her in the house. We immediately called our vet and he said to bring her right over.

After checking her all over, she was none the worse for her tumble and he estimated her to be about 5 weeks old. He also told us she was a Rhodesian Ridgeback, which I had never heard of. She also had a little Chow in her because of her black tongue. All I knew is from that moment on, she was a devoted member of our family.

Her and my sweet hubby became inseparable. I mean "joined at the hip" inseparable !!!! For 7 years Juergen doted over Misty, took care of her, loved and spoiled her. Then in April of 03, Misty and I said a broken hearted good-bye to my darling husband and her best friend. I could not have made it through that time without Misty. She was forever at my side. I would sit in Juergen's chair and cry and she would come and lay her head on my lap and whine as if she were crying with me. She would lick my hands and look at me with those beautiful brown eyes as if to say "I'm here---I'll take care of you." And that she did, for another 5 years.

Our travels took us from Florida to Michigan and then on to South Carolina. She helped me move on with my life. She was my "forever" companion. She was a dog I had never experienced before. She never played with toys. She never ran around and chased things like other dogs. She was very quiet, subdued, happy to just lay at my feet.

I noticed about two years ago that she was walking funny. She started having problems with her back legs. But she was still able to bound up the stairs, and prance around excitedly every time I came home and I figured, if she could do that she was ok. But two months ago she really started showing the worse in her legs. She whined a lot, and then about two weeks ago, I noticed that when I came home, she would just lie there and not get up to greet me. She could still climb the stairs to the second floor, but it was very slow, pausing sometimes to rest half way up. Then last week it really got bad and I knew what I was facing.

Yesterday, we had to make the ultimate decision. From the time I found her she had NEVER had an accident in the house, even as a puppy. But for the past few days she had lost all control. She was losing feeling up into her back. I told my daughter to call the vet. I figured it would take a few days to make the appointment as I knew how busy this vet was. But then Tanya walked into my room and said "They want her now". I was in shock. NO!!! Not NOW!! I need time to say goodbye. But I knew in my heart that God was telling me to send her home----she was in pain and hurting.

And so with heavy hearts and more tears than we care to count, we all said our goodbyes. We had always known that when the time came, Tanya would be the one to take her in. It was the one thing she wanted to do for her dad-----to be with Misty in the end. There was no way I could have gone. At that time, I was a complete hysterical basket case.

So, Misty, my faithful friend. How can I say THANK YOU for the 12 wonderful years you gave us. There are no words to describe the love we all had for you. You were the light of our lives. So now I send you home. I know that I know that I know----that as soon as that old heart gave its last beat, you found yourself in a beautiful meadow. There were lots of dogs running and playing. There were wonderful shade trees, and flowers everywhere. But you didn't stay long---because suddenly you stood still and looked off into the distance. Someone was coming---someone familiar. Your body quivered with excitement and you bound off with all the energy you had as a puppy. And suddenly there he was, with arms open wide. Your excitement was more than you could stand!!!! You ran into his arms and kissed him all over and he lovingly stroked your head. You were together once again!!! And together you headed off-----over the Rainbow Bridge and into the sunset.

But before I go----promise me one thing----that when my old heart beats its last beat, and I find myself standing at Rainbow Bridge that you both will be standing there waiting for me. I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU BOTH MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY.