Goodbye, friend
This is a tough post to write — not just because it's sad, but because I don't know how to sum up all the laughs and happiness Puffy brought into my life and all that she meant for me. No blog could do her justice.
Puffy, the pomeranian-pekinese I adopted nearly seven years ago, passed away last Sunday morning. Although she was older (she was an adult, around 5-6 years old or so when I adopted her), we lost her much sooner than I expected. She beat cancer, lost an eye, lived for years with epilepsy and an enlarged heart, and endured everything from surgeries to chemo to homeopathic ozone treatments. In the end, we're not really sure what happened — the vet thinks she may have ingested some sort of poison, which is possible given that she ate anything and everything. It was quick, too quick — we took her to the vet and around 8 hours later, she was gone.
I am grieving over Puffy, but have tried to focus on the memories. There are so many! How could there not be? We lived so many adventures together, from Portland to Mexico to marriage and a baby. This week I have remembered:
Puffy and I went many miles together — she was an amazing companion and adjusted easily to all the changes in our lives. In the end, when the baby came, she didn't get as much attention as she deserved and that grieves me deeply now. Last Friday night, though, I took a little time to just hold her and pet her, which didn't happen all the time anymore, and I am so glad I did. I truly believe God gave us that time as a goodbye, though of course I didn't know that at the time.
I miss her so much and can only hope she knew how much she was loved.
Puffy, the pomeranian-pekinese I adopted nearly seven years ago, passed away last Sunday morning. Although she was older (she was an adult, around 5-6 years old or so when I adopted her), we lost her much sooner than I expected. She beat cancer, lost an eye, lived for years with epilepsy and an enlarged heart, and endured everything from surgeries to chemo to homeopathic ozone treatments. In the end, we're not really sure what happened — the vet thinks she may have ingested some sort of poison, which is possible given that she ate anything and everything. It was quick, too quick — we took her to the vet and around 8 hours later, she was gone.
I am grieving over Puffy, but have tried to focus on the memories. There are so many! How could there not be? We lived so many adventures together, from Portland to Mexico to marriage and a baby. This week I have remembered:
- The day I adopted her from the Southwest Washington Humane Society — driving home for the first time, she jumped from the floorboards onto the seat after about two minutes. Then at home, she jumped from the bed I bought her to MY bed.
- The day I saw her have a seizure in the dog park, when I was so scared for her.
- The first — and last — time she went to see Santa
- The day she jumped on the dining room table and ate my Chinese food.
- The time she pulled my cousin's shorts out of his suitcase and dragged them around the house.
- How she ran through the open door of one of my (unaquainted) neighbor's apartments one morning and I had to get her out of his bedroom.
- The first time she was caught making sweet love to a stuffed animal.
- (Later, the first time I had to explain to a child what she was doing.)
- Flying to Mexico to start our grand adventure together!
- Finding her cuddled up to Francisco's dress shirts — he would have gone nuts but I knew she just wanted to smell him.
- How she spent two nights in the car when I gave birth to William, poor thing.
- Watching William pull her fur and while I tried to teach him to be gentle.
Puffy and I went many miles together — she was an amazing companion and adjusted easily to all the changes in our lives. In the end, when the baby came, she didn't get as much attention as she deserved and that grieves me deeply now. Last Friday night, though, I took a little time to just hold her and pet her, which didn't happen all the time anymore, and I am so glad I did. I truly believe God gave us that time as a goodbye, though of course I didn't know that at the time.
I miss her so much and can only hope she knew how much she was loved.
I smelled Puffy on Christy once and I liked her from the start. In my mind, her scent was one of great stamina and character. I bet she was a cutie. Smelled like it! Christy tells me she had a disability like me. We are so thankful for owners like you who accept us and take care of all our needs. I wish I could fit in a purse like Puffy because she got to see a lot more of the world than I. Even if it was just one eye. Her scent was of a dog that was loved and knew it. Even I could smell that. Love, Gobi
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Hi Gobi! Thanks for your comment. Puffy was a great doggie and we miss her like crazy. Give Christy a big slobbery kiss for us.
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May the poor pillow dog I gave you also rest in peace. Hopefully they are together in heaven.
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That pillow dog was the start of so much. You had no idea when you gave it to me!
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Sloane, so sorry to hear this news. I will be praying for you as you grieve for her. Even though 'they are just animals' they are so much a part of our families and when they are gone the grieving process takes time just like for anyone else. Glad I got to meet Puffy...when I met you!
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Thanks Deb. I miss Puffy a whole lot, although it's hard to be sad when you have a giggly baby around. So that has been a wonderful blessing.
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Dear Sloane, so sorry to see your dear angel puppy passed on. I have a photo to share with you that you will find interesting. It is of my precious Gunther who passed on two years before the photo was taken. it gave me great happiness. Hope all is well with you and your lovely family. Love, Karen
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