And so life goes on...

 

 

Thank you, ALL, for your kind thoughts, your prayers, your lighted candles for us during these difficult days. I'm so grateful.

 

I will share my journal entry on saying saying goodbye to Massey.... 
 

...but first, I want to share something funny and something sweet.  These precious moments got me through the worse of waiting for Massey's quarantine to be over.  Jude mimics our other dog, Burren.  He sneezes when Burren does, shakes his head when Burren shakes her fur, and pants whenever she does. He tries to bark but can't do that sound at all.  On Thursday, he and Burren watched the goats together.  They stood side by side, his tiny arm draped across her back.  I had no camera, but I held my hands up to my eyes, made a frame with my fingers, and clicked to seal the memory in my mind and heart.  This will be the "photo" I mentally return to when grief dredges up other images.   

 

Here's my journal from yesterday: 
 

Jude woke up really crying this morning. Nothing calmed him ...not even going out to see the horses... so his daddy brought Jude over to us.  We found nothing evident of causing pain, so maybe he had a nightmare.  Of course we thought it might have been about what he's been through. After a belly rub with Peace and Calming essential oil while swinging on the front porch swing and a tractor ride around barn with Papaw, he settled down. The possible nightmare helped rather than hurt us; it underlined our decision about Massey.

Massey had a great morning, ate a bowlful of raw beef for breakfast. Jay took him on a long walk since his quarantine was over. Then later, while Massey was resting, I told him he has to go easily, and not bite anyone in the process. I rubbed his fur with Peace and Calming oil and told him it's best if he doesn't go out with a fight. Then Jay took him to the barn to scare away some rats. Jay wanted to be alone with the vet, so  Burren and I went to the park when they went out to the barn. 
 

Burren and I walked/hiked until it got too hot.  Then we cooled off in the car driving to East Petersburg Park, got out and walked some more because I couldn't sit still. At 12:20 the East Pete fire sirens went off and I instantly knew Massey had passed. The five loud wails made me cry... and laugh.  I like to think the little squirt was telling me he obeyed my instructions but he just had to kick up some sparks on the way.

 

Jay texted me at 12:27 - "come home; it's peacefully over" just as the second set of 5 siren wails started. The whole time Burren watched me cry, and sat by my side calmly listening to the sirens, without howling - a first. Massey got a 10 siren salute - quite fitting.

~~~

 

Burren is doing fine.  Jay and I slept well last night, relieved that we can now finally move on.  Jude is healing very well, and is currently spending some time with his other grandparents. From the photos they are sharing, he is a happy camper.

Again, thank you readers, for your support and kindness.

 

Much love,
Sharon