"A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life."
..and we sure are going to miss this sweet pup.
She was our baby for soo long...10 long years to be exact. We got her at the young age of 4 weeks. That sweet face caught soo many tears of mine, brought so many smiles to our lives, and she always had a way to make bad emotions not feel so bad.
She was a silly pup as she slept in strange positions, was goofy as she chased her tail, could jump through a hula hoop, and chasing birds out of her backyard was a favorite pastime of hers. She loved chewing on bones and treats. We used to think she was part Australian because when she got excited, she would hop all around. It was soo funny to watch!
When Nala was about 5, Belle joined our family. These two had a "sisterly" love/hate relationship. They did really love each to play with each. Vowing for our love and attention eventually got the best of them, thus forcing us to separate them.
Nala had pretty good obedience. She would listen pretty well and regularly. She loved to chase the sprinklers, but when scolded, she would sit and watch them.
Car rides and walks were among her favorites.
She was a good girl...
that I will miss so very much!
Sunday would have been her 10th birthday. We knew that the day of saying our final good-bye was getting closer, but we never thought it was going to be this soon. She was starting to move around more slowly. Since she has had to deal with allergies all her life, we figured the constant administration of medicine was eventually going to start to take a toll on her. A month ago she had blood work done,
and the vet was surprised with how healthy she was for being 10.
Last weekend she stopped eating all of a sudden, and by last Monday I could tell she wasn't feeling well. After a trip to the vet, examines, and testing, we discovered that she had severe kidney disease. All the allergy medicine finally caught up to her. Knowing she was suffering, we had to do what we have dreaded for soo long, and that broke our hearts.
These pictures are all from her final day with us. Alison is such an animal lover, and her two dogs are top on her list. She handled it all very well, but it is still hard on her.
In her way of assurring herself, she kept saying, "but we still have Belle."
Nala loved Alison just as much as Alison loved her.
A last family picture with our sweet Nala...
Loving her so much...
kissing her sweet head..
Alison said, "It's time for Jesus to have a dog like her. Nala is going to play chase with Bear and Shasta. I'm going to miss her." It was very sweet.
Nala,
You were a great pup! You will be greatly missed by many. We have such fond memories of you. You showed us what unconditional love and loyalty is all about. Thank you for being a great dog,
and the 10 wonderful years we had with you!!
All our love,
Your family
Nala
3/20/01- 3/16/11
5 comments:
So sorry to hear about this. Such beautiful pictures of you guys. This poem gave me some comfort when i lost Lily.
I Stood By Your Bed Last Night
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that
you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't
left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were
thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed
to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to
reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently
put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let
you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so near you everyday. To say to you with
certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew, in the
stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "good-night, God
bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush
across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be
patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.
- Author unknown
Oh, my heart breaks to see these pictures....she was so much a part of our family for so long - she will be missed by all of us but now she can play with Shasta once again and meet Clint too!!! We love and miss you Nala!!
Now I am just bahling and bahling...she was a great dog and I will never forget her dedication of keeping my sister company during her treatment, Nalie always was by her side...loyal and faithful by all meaning.
We will miss you Nalie (termite)
We love you
Great dedication Steph!
SO sad!
I think you can have no doubt that there are lots and lots of tears from me. Nala was such a lover, and she welcomed me in as part of the family. I will never forget how she would wait at my door for me each morning. I usually woke up to her snuggled against my legs in bed. She was an excellent dog, and I loved her too!
<3 Sherri
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