The View from Heaven

[ Tell a friend | Save to your Corral | Make them Dogster Pup Pals ]
[ See the full Dinky page ]

Five Year Anniversary

July 22nd 2010 12:23 pm
[ Leave A Comment ]

I can't believe it's been 5 years since you left me for the Bridge, little guy. I'll never forget your spirit and your devotion. You were the best dog anyone could have ever had. I still can't past this time of the year without shedding tears over losing you so unexpectedly.

Four years ago...

July 28th 2009 4:36 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 1 person already has ]

He's still missed. I'm a mommy to a human baby now, but Dinky will always be my first "child." I wish my little girl had met Dinky. She would have adored that chubby little dog with the heart of gold.

Dinky's Legacy

August 1st 2008 10:20 pm
[ Leave A Comment ]

It's been 3 years since we last saw each other, and I still miss you very much. I was just 2 weeks from starting nursing school when you died, and now that I have been a nurse for a year, I want you to know how much of a difference you've made in my life, and in the life of others. I wrote this in your memory:

I can attest that dogs can help people’s health. In my case, it is in a somewhat circuitous manner. Two and a half years ago my dog, a dachshund named Dinky, died suddenly after becoming sick. Losing him was devastating. I loved him like he was my own son. He was a rescue, and it seemed like his gratitude was etched in his eyes. I called him “my little shadow”–I couldn’t go anywhere without him following me. I had people comment on the connection the two of us shared. I’m not a believer in reincarnation, but it was hard not to imagine that we may have had a link in another life.

His illness and death happened two weeks before I started nursing school. Prior to his passing away, I had never had anyone go through a sudden illness and die. I was heartbroken. I did everything I could to save my little guy. He was in the “doggie ICU” and had the best veterinary care but finally his little body couldn’t take anymore and I had to let go. Now that I am a nurse, I can say that experience helps me in my nursing practice daily. I work in the ER, so I am confronted every day with scared families and patients. Prior to that, I wouldn’t have known what it feels like to be navigating a medical sea while attempting to interpret language I didn’t yet understand. I didn’t know how it felt to be helpless and not be able to fix him. I had never felt that horrible fear when possible death looms. Now, in my ER, when I see a family distraught over a sick family member, I remember how it felt to lose the thing that mattered the most to me, and my patience and empathy has no limit. If I hadn’t gone through that experience with Dinky, I know I would still be kind to my patients and their families, but I could not say I knew what it felt like to be in a similar situation. I know he made me a better nurse and a better person. My dog made me more human, and the lessons he taught me have no price. Unbeknownst to my patients, their health benefits in more ways than one because of this one little dog.

My Tail of Devotion for Dinky

June 25th 2006 6:05 pm
[ Leave A Comment ]

Dear Dinky,

It's been almost 11 months since you died, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I wish I could have saved you. I tried my best to save you. I really, really tried. The veterinarians taking care of you were the best in the area and no expense was spared. You know what really bothers me is that I was never able to explain to you why you died with strangers at the veterinary hospital. I didn't abandon you. I wasn't even able to sleep the night you passed away, knowing you were in the doggie ICU with all those tubes hooked up to you, your life perching precariously. Your heart stopped working at 5:30 am when I wasn't there, and that's the ONLY reason I wasn't able to hold you in my arms during your last moments on this earth. Please know that was the only reason I wasn't there and that breaks my heart more than anything, because you couldn't have understood why I wasn't there even if someone could have explained it to you. All you know is that in your last minutes, I wasn't there and I let you down.

I also want to thank you for everything that you taught me. I could never repay you. You made me human. Before you, I didn't know I was capable of loving as deeply and selflessly as I loved you. You were my little shadow. The day you died, I felt the sun get a little dimmer for me, and it still hasn't fully brightened. I couldn't have loved you more if I gave birth to you. I miss you more than anything and if I could somehow bring you back to me, I would.

Love,
Your mommy Johanna

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion

It's been almost a week...

August 3rd 2005 5:30 am
[ Leave A Comment ]

It's been almost a week since I left my momma on earth. I watch her and it makes me sad that she is crying so much. I know what I would do if I could! I would lick her face until she started laughing, like I always did. I wish I could talk to her and tell her that I know how much she loved me and that I know she did everything she could. I just didn't have the strength to keep going. I really did try, momma. I tried my best. Don't be sad. We'll see each other again.

Sort By Oldest First