Tuesday, December 12, 2017

An Unexpected Good-Bye to Millie

After losing Georgie on Friday, yesterday brought an unexpected loss of Millie.  She began bleeding pretty heavily on Friday night, from one of two internal tumors on her bottom. Even though the bleeding stopped off and on through the weekend, tests yesterday gave us no options. And so after a short 20 days with us, I said good-bye to sweet Millie.

There are no words to articulate how heartbroken I am at this moment. Last night was a sleepless night as I played the conversations, the events and the "I should have done this" over and over in my mind.  However, I know that none would have changed the end result, and what the tests and diagnosis were.

The   Irving Townsend quote once again seems so appropriate.
"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan."
Even though I am truly broken, last night as I was trying to sleep, and Todd, Charlie, Rhett and Max,Sunny and Ms. Yellow slept with me in the guest room, deep within my soul, I know I can live no other way. I have no regrets. Only humble gratitude in my broken heart to the rescue for their friendship, kindness and compassion and who provided the best care for Millie and gave me the chance to know and love this "lost girl."

God-speed Millie. For a little dog, you have left a big hole in my heart. Your candle along with Georgie's is lit to help you find your way to the Rainbow Bridge. And I look forward to the day when I'll get to see you again.  

38 comments:

  1. Oh Kim - so sad to read this post. You gave Millie and Georgie a loving home for the time they had left. I respect and admire your ability and willingness to do so each and every time. {{{{{HUGS}}}}} to you and all the crew at Golden Pines

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  2. OH dear, so sad to see Millie was so short. I am sure she had the best last days, even though short with you and the other furbabies. Your kindness and compassion shines through with each rescue. HUGS to you all!

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  3. Awwwww ((((((((((Kim))))))))))))! I am so very sorry. Grief.... the cost of love. Hang in there, kiddo. My prayers are with you. RIP Millie! Love~ Andrea xxx

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  4. You did what you could, you gave them love and kindness, and were there to say a sweet good bye when their time came. You are a most special person and the world is better because of people like you.

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  5. I am sorry for so much sadness in such a short period of time. Perhaps Millie and Georgie had some reason they needed to be together while they wait for you and others. There is always another and another and another who need your love and care and kindness. Your heart is big and has much more to offer. xo

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  6. Sad to see you've had another sad event this week. Maybe she felt with Georgie's passing she was safe to follow. May God bless you with some time of joy for a while in the coming weeks.

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  7. Looking at the photos of this sweet girl, you made her final days the happiest. Now she is at peace, and Georgie is there at the Rainbow Bridge ahead of her, waiting to greet her.
    When we take on seniors, we know that there is always the chance that they won't be with us long, but you still give them all so much love.

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  8. She had a great last week with you.

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  9. I have no words to that can help your heart. God bless you and all that you do for these lost dogs. Hugs
    Bentley

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear about Millie. She was lucky to have found you for her last few days.

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  11. Oh, this beyond sad, and so unfair, but I'm so thankful that Millie had those last days with you. Wishing you peace in the knowledge that you did everything you could for her...

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  12. Oh no, dear Aunty Kim you must be heartbroken to lose another furbaby so soon. Sending you lots and lots of LUFFS and HUGS
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  13. A lifetime of love in those short 20 days. Grief like no other when we lose one, but cherish the memory of Millie, and know you gave her so much in that short time. XXXX

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  14. Ojo here. Good-bye, Millie. Your face looks happy, so I suspect you had a very good last few weeks of your life, and I suspect you were finally in a place where it was safe to let go. Many licks and wags to the people. It is clear you touched their hearts, even in 20 short days.

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  15. Dear Kim, I'm so sorry to hear about Millie. I can't begin to imagine how hard it was losing her so quickly. I was awake all night too with Hunter-I thought he had an ear infection, but ends up it is allergies. Sending big hugs your way.
    Noreen

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  16. I'm so sorry, what a sad loss right before the holidays.

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  17. That is just too sad. Two lovely characters so close together. Hugs from us.

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  18. I know that you'd have it no other way despite the heartbreaks, one after another. You light up the final chapters of many dogs' lives. You gave Millie the chance to feel your love and caring -- and that helped carry her onward. I love that quote, especially as I am having increasingly serious conversations about R with our vet... Thank you for being a shining light in our world for wayward dogs and humans alike, Kim.

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  19. Oh dear, how very sad for you. Millie must have been sent to you so she could feel that love we hear in your voice tonight, even if she only knew it for a short time. Now she will have that kind and caring love with her forever. As we always say, thank you for all that you do for those so much in need.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  20. It's heartbreaking to lose two souls so close together. What you did for them was awesome, showering love and care til the end. May we all have friends and family like that in our end times.

    The Johnson's in Chicago and Abby Lab

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  21. How sweet that Millie found love and comfort with you. I'm so sorry for your sadness, and sorry about your losing Georgie too. You are a kind loving person. Thank you.

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  22. That breaks my heart, too. I'm so glad she had you and the pack and your home for her last days.

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  23. Oh dear . . . very sad . . .
    Truly can’t imagine how you can carry all this love and care and then in a blink, you endure more loss.
    Sweet Millie dog . . .
    Sweet Kim . . . caring for you . . .

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  24. A line from Beckett used by our French vet six years ago says it all "It is right that he too should have his little chronicle, his memories, his reason, and be able to recognize the good in the bad, the bad in the worst, and so grow gently old down all the unchanging days, and die one day like any other day, only shorter".

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  25. there are just no words for the pain you endure.
    over and over and over.
    there are also no words good enough for the love and care and compassion that is your life.
    sending you much love. this day and always. ♥

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  26. Oh sweet Millie. I will miss this darling beautiful girl. It seems a very long wait without those we love so dearly, but we may look forward to that grand reunion.

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  27. We are so very very sorry. Big Pug Hugs
    love
    Hazel & Mabel

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  28. I can only imagine if I were a lost dog that came to your house to live out my life. I would be the happiest dog in the whole world. I would forget all the mean people I met before, all the hardships I suffered, all the pain. I would just be such a happy dog, secure in knowing how much I was loved. Thinking of you, Kim, you are my hero.

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  29. Oh goodness. Take care dear lady. Gail

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  30. I'm so sorry to read about Georgie and Mille. When I was younger and healthier, I rescued cats - young, old, healthy, ailing, etc. Some years there would be multiple passings and many tears shed by me. The road you travel can be so difficult when you choose to rescue and my heart goes out to you. Bless you for being there for them.

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  31. I am so sorry for your loss . Know in your heart they lead a wonderful life with you and your clan and you gave them the best days of their lives .

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  32. Hugs to you and Carl. I can't even imagine your heartache. I've said it so many times before, but it still rings true, Georgie and Millie knew tender, loving care during their short time with you. And, I know that is the reason your heart reaches out to all of your pups that have needed you.
    Bless you and Carl for your selfless love and care that each of your babies receives at Golden Pines. It touches all of your blogging friend's hearts.
    Mille didn't have to be just an old lady during her last few weeks. And I can imagine what would have become of Georgie if he had not been rescued and given some days of grace with you. He knew love.
    Heartfelt Hugs,
    Gus' Mom

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  33. We are so sorry Kim. I know your so heartbroken and we would be too,
    What KB said is true,, "you write the last chapter in so many dogs lives... you helped them feel love.
    We are so sorry.
    love
    tweedles

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  34. Oh No! This month has been particularly sad - stay strong Kim and find comfort in knowing you are doing a selfless and truly generous hearted job.

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  35. I'm so sorry. I know all too well how hard it is to lose two so close together. It will take a while to get thru it. They were both lucky to be loved and cared for in their final days.

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  36. My aging pack sends warmest holiday wishes to you and your aging pack.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!