Turns out it doesn’t work that way.
Three months back, my friend DeeAnn told me that her dog, Jenna, had been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. This was heartbreaking news, as you can imagine. Jenna and my older mastiff, Kingston, had been totally in love since they first set eyes on one another. They met on the sidewalk, which is kinda like the equivalent of meeting on a bus for dogs? Maybe? If the dog park is the bar, I definitely think the sidewalk is public transportation of some sort. Anyway, DeeAnn and I started talking, mostly to drown out the sounds of Kingston and Jenna totally making out. Gross. We had no choice but to become good friends, so we did.
When Ti came along, Kingston and Jenna let him hang out with them, but you could tell that he always felt like the third wheel.
Anyway, after reeling from the horrible news of Jenna’s OSA, DeeAnn took all the steps to save her. She had her front leg amputated, and started chemo. Jenna did wonderfully as a tripawd, she came out of the hospital with her butt wiggling and ready to go home. She even shot DeeAnn the “I got this, thanks” look when she tried to help her up the stairs for the first time upon arriving home. Jenna was doing hydrotherapy and ready to take the world by storm again. But life didn’t comply, and unfortunately, just a couple of months later, DeeAnn got the news that Jenna’s lungs were full of cancer. Chemo was stopped and Jenna had some wonderful last weeks chasing moles and sitting on the porch, watching the world.
I came to say goodbye to the beautiful Jenna on Monday, as Tuesday was the day she was going to go to sleep. Jenna was ready to go where her lungs weren’t heavy any more.
Jenna was very picky on her second to last day. She didn’t want real bacon, only fake bacon. She didn’t want cheeseburgers, or chicken sandwiches. She wanted cat food. Stella and Chewy’s dehydrated raw cat food, in Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey to be exact. I bought her every pouch at the store when I saw she wanted it.
Note the ignored bacon etc. on the ground. Mmmm Kitty food.
We took a paw print, had many snuggles, cried a little, and just reveled in what a good girl Jenna had been.
When I was leaving, DeeAnn offered me some of Jenna’s pain meds “just in case” one of my big boys needed them for something. I mentioned that Ti had been limping for a couple of weeks, and that we were going to the vet on Thursday, so I took them. What I didn’t mention was the horrible intuition I had that Ti had the same thing that Jenna did.
That thursday, my (ex) vet told me that Ti had arthritis.
So I took him to a new vet on Friday, because I’ve learned not to ignore my gut feelings. X-rays revealed what I already knew in my heart. I saw it the same time the vet did.
Saturday morning, I got the confirmation from the radiologist. That was the same Saturday that Jenna was cremated.
Rest in Peace sweet Jenna.
What beautiful pictures and a more beautiful story…..I am sobbing after reading this. Sweet, brave, precious Jenna, may she be free of her pain, and running on all 4’s over the Bridge….she had many of our beloved angel Tripawds greet her, my Polly being one of them.
Keeping you and Ti in my thoughts, and please continue to keep us updated on your boy…..have faith in his upcoming journey, never say never, and never give up on hope ….. make everyday a special day…..
{{{Hugs}}}
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Rip Jenna. I am so sorry to hear about her passing. Run Free. Keeping you & Ti in my thoughts & prayers. Bonnie said it best don’t give up hope. Live every moment with them and remember there is no time stamp on anyone. The next piece of advice I always give is to take lots of pictures and make sure you are in some of them.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
I am so sorry you had to join the Tripawd Nation but also glad because your blog is grrrrrreat!
I am so sorry to hear about Jenna, it is so devastating when we lose our best friends. Jenna does indeed have lots of company over the bridge and you can bet she arrived and joined one big non-stop pawty!
We are looking forward to hearing more about Tiberius and sending you and he lots of 3×3 tripawd strength from the Oaktown Pack to help in your upcoming journey down the Tripawd Path.
xoxox,
Codie Rae and the OP
I’m sorry to hear your friend DeeAnn, Kingston, Ti, and you have lost such a wonderful girl. I know Jenna will be watching over Ti as he fights the same battle. We here at Tripawds will be thinking of Ti too, and sending all our positive thoughts his way. Stay strong, Ti! You have a lot of people and pups standing behind you!!
So sad, so very sad. Tears flowing. Such gentle, gentle souls.
The pictures say it all….very loved pups and clearly best friends (even if Ti is a third wheel in their opinion).
One of the most loving gifts we can give our best friends is the gift of relief when they tell us it’s time. And to do make their transition a celebration of life….a beautiful send-off towards the open door to the next phase of their journey is such a loving and self less act.
Thank you for sharing this journey and these wonderful, wonderful pictures. Please let DeAnn know we understand like no others can and we are so very sorry. But we celebrate a life well loved with thousands and thousands of glorious days to remember and to smile!
Imq sure Jennea’s welcome wagon at the Bridge was full of turkey cat food galore! I’m sure my Happy Hannah (Bull Mastiff) also threww in a couple of scoops of ice cream!
Keep us posted on that precious chunk of love Ti! He’s a very well loved pup too! He, and Deann, are both lucky to have you in their lives!
(((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Wow. I had no idea that you were so familiar with this journey. I’m so sorry that Jenna earned her wings far too soon and it’s come into your world once again. I do know that Jenna will be Ti’s guardian angel throughout though, nobody could ask for more.
{{{{hugs}}}}