Her foster mom asked permission to keep her and care for her for however much time Tillie had remaining. In her loving care, Tillie lived more than three years. Tillie was a funny, silly, goofy girl. She loved to climb into the tub and hope and wait and hope some more that some kind passerby would give her a bath. She loved to play in the sprinkler with her canine siblings. She oversaw the comings and goings of a few more fosters before her passing. She was a source of entertaining stories for our volunteers and she was Miss October one year on the FBRN calendar: Miss Hallowe'en, Tilloweena. This is the note her grieving mom sent us when Tillie passed away. Those of us who have loved and lost a dog will recognize the anguish and sorrow and very great love in her words.
"Sister Weena, Queen of the Wild Tilluluhy Louly Lous is gone, God rest her soul.
She fought that cancer to the bitter end, but finally her lung mass grew too large and caused her too much pain and she was ready to go.
Her passing could not have been any more peaceful. As she rode in my arms to the vet, she was breathing heavily and her eyes were already glazed over. In fact, the only time she looked alarmed was when they took her out to put the IV in and she looked over the nurses shoulder to see if I would follow. Once she was back in the room and we had told her how much we loved her, she fixed her eyes on me and the injection was administered and she went to sleep. She looked just like she would when she would like on the couch and watch TV with me. I sat in her spot when I got home. Boy do I miss rubbing her ears already.
Over the past three years since Tillie was rescued by FBRN, I've been faced with the prospect of letting her go, but nothing could have prepared me for today. My heart is heavier than I could have ever imagined and seeing her food bowl had me doubled over in knots. Just yesterday morning was the last time I will ever get to say, "Tillulah, put your bone down before you go outside," as she would like to take and leave her Nylabones in the back yard. You see, Tillie was always so happy that she had to have a toy or a bone in her mouth while her back end would wiggle from side to side. Oh, how I miss my sweet girl. I would attach my favorite picture of her, but I can't bear to go through the cds and choose just one. I just keep picturing that sweet honey colored dot on her forehead and those large ears...oh my, how I love her. How lucky I have been to have been loved by her. She gave me her all, up until the very end. Quite the trouper.
Thank you, FBRN, for all your support and care over the years for Tillie. I know many of you have cried and laughed at her antics; now just smile knowing she's in heaven on our side."
Hoping there are lots of sunny days and sprinklers up there for a funny little dog to splash through,
The Frog Princess
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6 comments:
How empty the house feels. The absence of her presence is as tangible as she was when she sat beside me. The agony of grief in my heart overcomes me when I look for my shadow and she is no longer there. Thank God for the privilege of being blessed to have experienced such a love.
God's blessing to Tillie's family. My heart goes out to you.
i am crying a few tears for the mama of this sweet dog. i have had my heart broken when one of mine has crossed the rainbow bridge. in time this wont hurt so much.. promise :)
God bless her soul in Nylabone heaven...
Rest in peace Tillie. May your family find comfort knowing that you are waiting for them on the other side of the rainbow bridge. You are a brave girl. If you see my sweet Madison there tell him I love him always. He was a brave boy. You two have braveness, sweetness & a loving family that miss you very much in common. I hope that you will be friends while you wait for your families to see you again.
Dear Tillie's Mom,
You did everything you could and more. What a happy and loving dog. You gave, she gave. What more is there? thank you
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