Rescue Love Letter. Pumpkin comes full circle

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

 

The other day, I was surprised to receive this letter.

Some of you may remember that about 12 years ago, I discussed placing Pumpkin with this family because at the time I placed her, Mary had dementia & functioned at the level of a 5 year old. I questioned the wisdom of placing a dog in that circumstance. After spending some time with Mary, it became clear that the mental level of a person was irelevant  as long as the person can give the dog love.  Mary focused an enormous amount of love on Pumpkin. The love between all the members of this family including Pumpkin, lives on. The story of their lives & love is succinctly told in this letter.

 

Dear Joy Lynn,

This is a letter to thank you for bringing Pumpkin into our family. Although my father, Sam Neihardt, claimed he adopted Pumpkin as a companion for my mother, Mary, over the years he came to cherish his little furry friend. He adored her for the joy she brought to my mother in the time they were together.

When Mom passed away in 2006, Pumpkin & daddy became inseparable. On apr2, 2009, the two of them had just started on their afternoon walk when Daddy fell in the driveway, sustaining an irreversible traumatic brain injury. After two months in the hospital he passed away peacefully at home on June 16.

Pumpkin & I became constant companions through the difficult times that followed. When we returned to my home in Greenbrae in Feb of this year, we began yet one more new chapter in our lives. As we celebrated Pumpkin’s 15^th birthday on apr 7 , she was in good health for her age. Although in recent years she had developed “old dog eyes” and her hearing was declining, none of this was apparent in her disposition & in her level of activities, making it hard to believe how old she was.

 

This last June Pumpkin started showing signs of declining health; in addition to being deaf in one ear & having minimal hearing in the other, she began walking in circles. A trip to the vet confirmed that her general health was good & the circling behavior was attributed to 1)old age, 2 a brain tumor or 3) adrenal or pituitary gland issues. Given Pumpkin’s age, I decided to forego any invasive procedures & brought her home. Within a matter of weeks the circling became uncontrollable. She began walking into stationary objects & she couldn’t find her food without assistance. I knew it was time to send her to Mom & Daddy. Based on my description of the behavior & the fact that Pumpkin succumbed so quickly to the procedure, the vet said a brain tumor was the most likely diagnosis.

 

In the 12 years Pumpkin was part of our family, we often wondered about her early life, the life she had before she became a Neihardt.  I thought you would like to know as the adoption facilitator who brought us together.  Pumpkin could not have been with a family that loved her more than ours. She lived a long & happy life. In the end we all grieved the loss of a beloved family member. Again thank you

Sincerely

Beverly Neihardt

 

Dear Beverly,

Thank you so very much for the lovely letter & memorial cards.  I was deeply moved that you would think of me. I really appreciate that you let me know. I remember your mother when I first brought Pumpkin to their home. I remember how she held her & brushed her. There was no dog with such a beautiful hairdo. There was never the tiniest matt on her. She was the envy of my matted dogs LOL. Your father used to bring her to me regularly to have her teeth cleaned & scaled. I remember him saying “We have to keep Pumpkin healthy. Its Pumpkin who is keeping my Mary alive.” They took such good loving care of her. When they adopted her, Pumpkin had a weight problem. I suspect she wasn’t fed properly by her previous owner. But each time I saw her, she looked better & better. Due to careful feeding & your daddy’s walks she became svelte & healthy. She blossomed with your parents. I could see how loved & happy she was.

 

After your mother passed, I could see how the relationship developed between Sam & Pumpkin. He said something that indicated that his love for Pumpkin connected with his love for your mother. He missed her so much. I talked to your father about what would happen to Pumpkin when he passed. I get called for so many older dogs who lose their parents who didn’t make plans for their precious animals. I cannot place those beautiful older animals who were beloved & now don’t have a home or the people they depended on. They have to be put down.   It breaks my heart every time. Your father loved Pumpkin enough to plan for her. He said you would take care of  her.  Thank you. I’m so glad you took her home & loved her. You obviously did a wonderful job wi her. I can tell by the feeling in your writing. I know that you knew when was the right time to let her go. Thank you for choosing the time so that she didn’t suffer. In that I have been in that position, I know that you just knew when the time was right. I know how difficult it is. I wish that when my time comes, that I could leave this world as humanely as Pumpkin. Thank you for having the courage & loving her enough to do it. It isn’t easy. It takes a special courageous, caring person to face it, do what has to be done & not turn away.  

 

Thank you for your beautiful letter & tributes to your father & Pumpkin. Letters like yours is what keeps me doing rescue. I am especially touched that you included Pumpkin’s picture with your father in your Memorial Service. I loved the quote of your father that you included at the bottom: “Do not accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” S. Neihardt.   I will treasure it.

Puppy Love from  Joy Lynn & Furry Folk

 

 

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[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Beautiful, Joy.

[Kyoko]

Brought teas to my eyes. Small things people do, brings the amazing differences in the life of others....

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

What a beautiful tribute, to both you and the family of Pumpkin. Thank you for sharing.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lovely letters back and forth. It's so nice to hear the good stories and get closure.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What a beautiful letter! Thank you for sharing.

[cheryl & oliver]

thank you for sharing those beautiful letters...Pumpkin was truly loved, and she loved truly....

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Thank you for sharing this with us all Joy...What a beautiful tribute to you and to the wonderful work that you do. Thank you again Joy...: )

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

What a beautiful and touching letter. What a tribute to everyone involved.