Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Goodbye Sweet Friend

You weren't mine from the very beginning...but you came into my life at a time when your presence was most needed. It was almost a fairy tale beginning - our eyes met and that was that. You were 6 years old when you came home to live with me two days after I buried the love of my life, my Sweet Hubby. I remember so well what you looked like...you with your "crazy hair!"


That didn't last long though...I think you liked your "new look!"


Having you here meant never coming home to an empty house. You were my constant companion. My "Velcro girl" from the very beginning. You loved everyone, but you and I were "connected" in a special way. You were my sweet girlie and you knew it!

Six months ago yesterday, you took ill suddenly. Ultimately, you were diagnosed with Lyme disease, Poly arthritis and Lyme Nephritis. We were fortunate to find a wonderful veterinary internal medicine specialist here who took you on as a patient these past six months and enabled you to enjoy the quality of life that I had only hoped for when you first got sick...something that the vets at the emergency hospital didn't hold out much hope for.

With the help of Dr. Kremer, I got to watch you chase grasshoppers all summer long. You got to lay on the deck in the summer sun - one of your favorite things to do! We got to take trips to visit Matthew, your favorite person in the world (beside me, of course!). Yes, you had quality of life.

But last week, things started falling apart. Your labs were grim...the worst they'd ever been. It looked like we were entering the end stages of renal failure. This past weekend was very hard. It broke my heart for you.

We had an appointment with Dr. Kremer scheduled for yesterday at 2 p.m. I called them and let them know it would be our "last appointment." They were ready for us when we got there.

I have known all along that I made the right decision by choosing to take you to Dr. Kremer, but yesterday proved it once again to me. At 2:25, while I told you how much I loved you and to say hello to Daddy for me, you peacefully slipped away.

How do you say goodbye to someone you love? How do you say "thank you" for all that they did for you? I hope you know. I like to think you do. And last night, when I managed to get a bit of sleep, I dreamt that my Sweet Hubby sent me flowers. In my dream, I knew they were because I had lost you. I woke up feeling that you had "arrived" safely and I am at peace.

But I will miss you forever, my sweet girlie...my Lulu.

My Lulu
11/14/08-1/24/11


He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
Revelation 21:4 NLT

12 comments:

Jody said...

No words can ease the pain I know you are feeling. I am praying for you today, knowing that God is your refuge and strength.

Unknown said...

I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to you during this difficult time.

One who has lived never truly dies, but crosses a bridge into the next life where all is beautiful and peaceful, and the breeze always whispers of lasting love.

May it ease your sadness a bit to know that your memories will always be a bridge between this world and the next, between your loved ones and you.

May you find peace in your heart from your precious memories of Ms. Lulu, and thank you for allowing me the privilege of being part of her life.

JJ said...

Gigi,
I cannot express to you how sorry I am for your loss. I know the special connection that you and Lulu had from the very start. She was such a sweet girl and taken from this earth much too soon. It gives me peace to know that she arrived safely into the waiting arms of your hubby.
My thoughts and prayers to you, and Matthew. May you cherish the wonderful memories that you have....always.

JJ

nancygrayce said...

I am so sorry! Losing a loved companion is a terrible, heartbreaking thing. I love your dream and I hope you will be comforted in the coming days by sweet memories of that sweet girl!

Jess said...

Ahhh I kinda new I needed to come here. Haven't talked with you, or "heard" from you on fb, and just had that feeling that after you asked for prayers for Lulu that this might have happened.

I told you before and I will say it again that I cannot imagine losing my love. But you have, and I watched after you got Lulu and you changed. She did help you! I know you talked to her just like you would a best friend, and she was that for you.

Pets are amazing creatures that attach, and sense your moods, the are happy and excited when you are, and sad and down and serious when you are ill.

I am so thankful that you had Lulu in your life. And I know that your sweet hubby is happy of that too.

My thoughts and prayers are always with you, but today I'm sending you great big hugs, because I know it's tough to go home alone and to truly not have anyone to talk to or follow you around.

Although you will miss her, I think she did what she was supposed to, don't you??

I love you Gigi, so much! And yes, that dream was just what you thought it was.

Our God is amazing.

<3 Jess

Unknown said...

Gigi, please accept my deepest sympathies. I feel your loss and know how sad you must be. We had to put my beloved Sam down the day after Thanksgiving and I was devastated. He was suffering terribly from strychnine poisoning and putting him down was the only humane thing to do.

We adopted another dog from the local shelter and he's captured our hearts but we still feel Sam's presence. As long as we keep him in our memories he'll never truly be gone. God bless you.

Dawn said...

I am so sorry, Gigi! I know that you gave Lulu the best life she could have possibly had. And she shared her all with you. You have had so much loss, I don't even know what to say except I'm sorry. I've been missing you, so knew you were going through a tough time.

Tamela's Place said...

May you continue to be comforted gigi with precious dreams from the Lord. I am so sorry for the passing of you little lulu, what a precious gift from God she was. She is living in another neighborhood now with your hubby may he enjoy her just as you did and one day you both will be able to enjoy her and one another together.

Jeanne said...

(((Gigi))) You've been in my thoughts and in my prayers. Just know that people are thinking of you and missing your presence, but we understand. God is with you and will never leave, nor forsake you. Take refuge in that special peace and in thoughts and prayers of all of those people who care about and love you.

With hugs and love,
Jeanne

katiegfromtennessee said...

Gigi, I am praying for you. Words cannot express, I am praying for the comfort of God on you today,

Love in HIM,

katiegfromtennessee

Greg said...

Hi, Gigi. I'm sorry about the loss of your pet. Sounds like you were a great comfort to each other. That's one thing that's so neat about true love. :)

Unknown said...

Dear Gigi,
I just reread this post and it is so beautiful...what a lovely tribute to Lulu. You are a gifted writer and a wonderful "mom." Lulu was blessed to have you and Baylor is thanking his lucky stars right about now. I admire your openness to keep on loving when it is so painful at times. You are an inspiration even in (maybe especially in) your pain and authenticity. I look forward to meeting you one day in person!