Leave a bone for Raven RIP 9/17/97-12/16/08 Nicknames: Ravena, Benna, Na, Her Largeness, Girlis, Puffalupagus, Big Miss, BBB [Big, Black, Beauty (or other appropriate 'B' word!)], H cubed (for hot-tub house hound) Doggie Dynamics:
Energy
sleepy
energetic
Intelligence
silly
genius
Friendliness
aggressive
affectionate
Playfulness
not playful
very playful
Disposition
anxious
calm
Sun Sign:
Badges:
Quick Bio:
-purebred
Birthday: September 17th 1997 Likes: sculpting in the sand with logs, fetching frisbees; chew hooves; sleeping on the bed Pet-Peeves: other female dogs; having to get off the bed Favorite Toy: kong-on-a-rope with which I whack myself mercilessly Favorite Food: cream cheese Favorite Walk: the beach Best Tricks: I am above such mundane trivialities! I am, however, terrific at wiping my frothy mouth on my mom's clean pant legs after I eat. Arrival Story: I inherited Raven after my boyfriend at the time was killed in the 9/11 attacks. Bio: When I met Raven, she was very shy and hadn't been around too many other people or dogs. She was also very suspicious of children and would issue "warning snaps" if they got too near. So when I inherited her, I wanted to get her better socialized. Once she adjusted to her new situation, I think that living full-time with Aiki really helped her social skills. Aiki assumes that everyone loves him and is very outgoing. Raven will now greet other dogs at the beach or on the street, whereas she used to (at best) ignore them. I still won't trust her off-leash around children until I get to see her interact with them for quite a while. She also used to be very aloof with people, including her first dad. Now, she openly seeks affection, gives kisses (mostly without tooth!), and will offer her belly for rubs. She's a totally different dog from when she moved in with me in September of 2001!
After a 5 month battle with cancer, Raven was sent to the Bridge to be with Rich on December 16th at around 9pm. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I know it was the right choice. She was starting to truly struggle, and I wanted her to be pain free and to keep her dignity. She was my heart and soul dog, and I'll always miss her. Forums Motto: Running free with Daddy at the Bridge The Last Forum I Posted In: Denial Favorite indoor activity: When mommy plays hide and seek with toys. I'm so smart--I *always* find them!
This will be the first 9/11 anniversary mommy will have to go through without me. To top it off, she has appointments all day, so she's not sure she can really do much to honor daddy. She and Aiki will probably go to the beach or the forest.
Next will come what would have been my 12th woofday, which is the day before mommy's birthday. Tough month for mommy, so daddy and I will have to watch over her extra special for a while.
I went to the Bridge to be with my daddy last night. I'd had a very good last day. I went on errands with mommy, had my pawprint immortalized in cement for a garden stepping stone, and then to the beach. When I got home, I went to my favorite corner, where I stayed for the rest of the evening. Mommy cuddled and held and kissed me over and over. She thanked me for everything I'd given her and told me that I was loved by people all over the country (and even in other countries), most of whom had never even met me. Wow. I had venison and manicotti for dinner. My favorite vet Dr. Green and her assistant came over after dinner, then I got really, really sleepy. The last thing I remember is mommy saying that she loved me forever and that it was time for me to go be with daddy.
Mommy thanks every single pup and person here on dogster who have shown our pack an outpouring of love and support without which this whole experience would have been unbearable.
Mommy couldn't believe it when she checked her inbox and saw that I was chosen diary of the day! I am humbled by the honor. I just wish there was happier news in my diary.
It's been definitely decided that I will cross he Bridge to finally be with my daddy again tomorrow (December 16th). Mommy is literally sick with grief at the thought of losing me, but after putting all of my Paw Cancer Group posts into my diary last night, she could tell for sure that's she's making the right choice for me.
Last night was another rough night with wake-ups every few hours. I keep straining to poo, but not much comes out. Mommy doesn't want me to get to the point where everything is "broken". I've got a balance of good and bad days now, and she doesn't want me to suffer any more. She also wants to avoid any more indignity with the increasing messiness of things "back there".
Today, I get my pawprint immortalized in cement to make a stepping stone for the garden. The weather is frightful, but mommy will take me somewhere--just the 2 of us. I've got venison to eat and some new toys to play with, since mommy let Santa Paws come early to our house special for me.
