| Continued...... |
As Spirit’s time with Tundra passed, we were
cautiously elated when her infection abated and her
strength came back. The swelling in her legs
diminished, and she could stand on her own. We
found her frequently opening her indoor enclosure
on her own to explore her surroundings. The most
pleasant surprise was that we found she really
would not stay confined because she just wanted to
be with the other Tundra Sibes and humans!
Rescuers strive for that response in new dogs and
we had finally crossed that threshold!
One morning during her fifth week with
Tundra, Spirit could not stand without help
and the swelling in both legs was
frightening. We saw that a lymph node in
her left leg was badly swollen as well. Spirit
was rushed to Dr. Karyn Forlano for her
analysis of the situation. She took a series
of new radiographs and the cause for our
concern became clear. Cancer had taken
part of the bone in Spirit’s leg. There are no
words to describe the empty feeling the
Tundra, Spirit could not stand without help
and the swelling in both legs was
frightening. We saw that a lymph node in
her left leg was badly swollen as well. Spirit
was rushed to Dr. Karyn Forlano for her
analysis of the situation. She took a series
of new radiographs and the cause for our
concern became clear. Cancer had taken
part of the bone in Spirit’s leg. There are no
words to describe the empty feeling the
recipient of such news experiences. And sadly, many reading this story know first hand how
we felt standing in the darkened room staring at the image on the screen.
(Those radiographs also revealed many other things about Spirit’s life as well.)* In
spite of all our efforts, we were now in a hospice situation.
we felt standing in the darkened room staring at the image on the screen.
(Those radiographs also revealed many other things about Spirit’s life as well.)* In
spite of all our efforts, we were now in a hospice situation.
In the time remaining with
little Spirit we learned many
lessons. We learned that the
other Tundra Sibes knew that
she was in poor health. They
would lie in a circle around her
as if to protect her; several
taking turns gently resting their
heads on her shoulder.
Normally rambunctious, the
Tundra team was always
subdued and quiet when Spirit
was in the room. We also
learned that Spirit kept her
typical Sibe sense of humor
and didn’t miss an opportunity
to pull a prank.
little Spirit we learned many
lessons. We learned that the
other Tundra Sibes knew that
she was in poor health. They
would lie in a circle around her
as if to protect her; several
taking turns gently resting their
heads on her shoulder.
Normally rambunctious, the
Tundra team was always
subdued and quiet when Spirit
was in the room. We also
learned that Spirit kept her
typical Sibe sense of humor
and didn’t miss an opportunity
to pull a prank.
* Spirit’s x-rays read
like a journal of suffering.
They showed numerous
old injuries, severe
arthritis, and even
buckshot imbedded deep
in her flesh. In all our
years of rescue and
dealing with the best and
worst of humanity; we will
never understand how a
“human” could cause
pain to a gentle creature
like Spirit. But one thing is
certain in our hearts............
those who caused her
that pain will definitely
not meet with her in her
new home. And we only
hope that we’ve earned the
privilege of having her
waiting for us at the Bridge
like a journal of suffering.
They showed numerous
old injuries, severe
arthritis, and even
buckshot imbedded deep
in her flesh. In all our
years of rescue and
dealing with the best and
worst of humanity; we will
never understand how a
“human” could cause
pain to a gentle creature
like Spirit. But one thing is
certain in our hearts............
those who caused her
that pain will definitely
not meet with her in her
new home. And we only
hope that we’ve earned the
privilege of having her
waiting for us at the Bridge
Even with constant care, special
meals and massage it became
obvious that Spirit was rapidly
losing her battle with the
insidious invader of her fragile
body. The extra two weeks we
were able to share with her were
not enough, but we knew our
promise to her to not let her
suffer ever again had to be kept.
On the sunny afternoon of March
4, 2010, we took our last walk
together and drove her to see
her friend Dr. Bart Forlano. With
his gentle care, Spirit left us
peacefully while we quietly told
her what a beautiful and strong
meals and massage it became
obvious that Spirit was rapidly
losing her battle with the
insidious invader of her fragile
body. The extra two weeks we
were able to share with her were
not enough, but we knew our
promise to her to not let her
suffer ever again had to be kept.
On the sunny afternoon of March
4, 2010, we took our last walk
together and drove her to see
her friend Dr. Bart Forlano. With
his gentle care, Spirit left us
peacefully while we quietly told
her what a beautiful and strong
Sibe she was. We gifted her with her medicine bundle to speed her journey to get her harness
and wept those tears of regret.
and wept those tears of regret.