[Leica] About Kiva and Loss....

[rsphotoimages at comcast.net (rsphoto's email)]

Richard;

What a Beautiful Girl.  Easy to understand why you love her so much.

Sadly, it's probably past time.

Dogs innately cloak their physical pain.  We finally learned this  
after rescuing 5 fabulous dogs, the last of which (a big, handsome,  
tricolor Border Collie) we said goodbye to last month.

He was 14 and fading fast.  In his way, with his eyes, he told us,  
"Enough.  Time for me to move on."

It is a wrenching experience to lose such a faithful and uncritical  
(at least, most of the time) companion.  They teach us a lot about  
being human beings, about patience, tenderness, tolerance courage and  
humor.

We lasted exactly two days into the grieving process; my wife called  
me at a job site to inform me she had found a brother and sister, 9  
years old through Northwest Border Collie Rescue.

Their family was out of work in Idaho and moving to a job in  
Minnesota.  The dogs were in the pound, scheduled for "disposal".   
They were saved by Idaho Border Collie Rescue and transported to a  
Rescue Family in Selah, WA (near Yakima in eastern WA) where, after  
the formalities (included a visit to our home and yard), they called  
and said, "Come and get them!"

By the way; the Visitor brought her two Border Collies to check out  
our house and yard.  I swear they came back downstairs, sat in front  
of her and said, ("This place checks out OK - not perfect but it'll  
do...")

I understand that it's too early just now to think about another  
dog(s).  Just know that there are thousands of deserving pups out there.

Meanwhile Kiva is in a State of Grace, patiently waiting for you to  
help her through this time of mutual pain.  Our hearts go out to you  
both.

With respect and condolences,


Bob


On Dec 7, 2008, at 12:48 AM, Richard Man wrote:

> Our Old Lady dog Kiva, is now on "Dogsheimer" pills and she is at  
> least less agitated. The bladder control is going downhill though so  
> we will see. We cry buckets, but it is time to say goodbye to the  
> sweetest dogs we ever have. All dogs are special, but Kiva is  
> absolutely the sweetest. I will call the Mobile Vet on Monday to  
> discuss options.
>
> http://www.dragonsgate.net/pub/richard/PICS/_C061573.jpg
>
> She's 15 3/4 years old. Outlived her brother by 2 years and her mom  
> by 4 months. She lost her eye functions starting when she was 4  
> (congenital disease) and totally lost it when she was 8 or so. A  
> year prior to that she had a back injury (cause unknown) that  
> necessitated a spinal surgery. After the surgery, the vet said she  
> may never walk. Of course since Kiva did not understand what he said  
> so she ignored it. We took her to therapy and bought her a doggie  
> wheelie, and within half a year, she was running. She was blind then  
> of course but she trusted us to guide her.
>
> She loves life but it is time to say goodbye. We have our annual  
> Solstice Vigil party on the 20th. If she lasts that long, our  
> friends will get to say goodbye to her too. We love her.