Zanna - A Celebration of her Life

On Thursday morning when Bloss let Zanna in to come up stairs when he went to work - she usually spent half an hour or so up with me before I left for work - she seemed quite unwell and was moving very slowly and generally not happy. I wondered if she had had another seizure during the night. I had back to back appointments all day at work so had to leave her. She wasn't able to walk back down the stairs so I had to carry her and then she climbed into her bed and I went to work. I managed to get home a little bit early onto to find that she'd gone during the day. Needless to say Bloss and I have been a bit of a mess for the past couple of days. Many of you know me on Facebook so know this already. The loving messages and support we got from all our friends has been amazing. This is when you discover all the doggy/pet people - they really understand what it's like to lose a pet. However gradually the pain is beginning to ease and as I know from past experience what will be left is a host of wonderful memories of how much love, light and laughter she brought to our lives.  I did have a chat to our vet as I was worried that perhaps she had been bitten and I could have saved her if I'd taken her to the vets.  However he has reassured me that he's certain that the seizure a few weeks ago was a warning that something wasn't right in her brain and he believes she had either a stroke or an aneurism - and that it would have been blissfully quick.  She certainly looked very peaceful so I just have to hang on to that thought.

It's a tribute to how much pleasure she brought to our lives that we will probably get another dog. I remember reading once that the greatest legacy you can have for a dog you've loved and lost is to give another one a chance. Zanna was a giveaway - had become too big and boisterous for a young couple who hadn't given her that much training and who now had a baby. Hopefully we can give another dog the chance of a loving home. However we won't do anything until after our trip - wouldn't be fair to get a dog in the next few weeks and then stress it all over again putting it in the kennels for a month - but maybe after we come back we'll have a look around to see who needs help.

I've just spent the last half an hour or so going through all my photos and laughing and crying at the same time while seeing just what a big part she played in our family. Here's a selection below and also some beautiful verses sent to me by some of my wonderful friends.

Thank you my beautiful Zanna for the joy you brought to my life xx

She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are her life, her love, her leader
She will be yours faithful and true till the last beat of her heart.
You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion

I LOVED YOU BEST
So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.


The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

Heartfelt thanks to Nola for these last two poems - they mean so much to me - I wept buckets when I read them but nonetheless they've provided great solace.



Zanna as I first saw being held by her previous owner



Her puzzled face

She was always Queen of the Deck - this is before we built on the new deck

Down the river with Josh

Her white sock was often commented on - sometimes people thought she had a bandage on

Such a pretty smiley face

Remember the night (Christmas Eve) she took off in the thunderstorm and we found her miles away - and then she was so exhausted she slept for nearly a while day

Queen of the new deck

Posing when I got my new camera a couple of Christmases ago

Loafing around

Both grandsons loved her but Curtis has always had  more time for her - he's going to miss her badly

Tuckered out

Clive also will really miss her - when he stayed with us for a few  months she and he spent a lot of time together

Zanna the reindeer

Sniffing around in the bush

Out in the bush with Bloss

With Curtis again

A rare one this - she wasn't allowed on the furniture but I think the boys encouraged her to overcome her normal good judgement this night

You're such a pretty girl Zanna

Pensive

Hmmm nice smells!  always on the lookout for something to chase - who remembers the possum story?

At the park with Josh

Another park trip

With Josh this time

And finally probably my favourite picture of her
RIP my wonderful Zannagirl