Welshiegirl: December 2008

I love her smile in this picture, and the long hair on her ears and feet! She is wearing her woolly mammoth winter coat!

She was at a party with many friends - both human and dog, and even kitties to stalk!

Thank-you to everyone who loved her too.

I was bereft at the loss of my sweet girl, but am still heartened by the outpouring of love and support from my friends - Jod and Di spending the night with me, calls from Wendy and Heather and Sheila and Gail and...so many more. Big hugs from Monica and Courtney and all my lovely Strand neighbours, and all my dear friends at work who let me cry on their shoulders. Lovely cards and letters (to be included here soon). The truly empathetic, kind support of my veterinarians, Janice Crook and Tatajna Mirkovic.

September 03, 2008
Dear friends, it is with a heavy heart and tears that I tell you I had to say goodbye to my beloved dog Belle yesterday. As some of you know, she faced the many challenges in her life with a fighting spirit and happy smile, but the last assault on her health, in just the last two days of her life, was just too much and I had to make the decision to let her go.
You know how much she meant to me, a constant companion, joy, friend. I will miss her always, like I miss my Starla. Belle was such a special dog. Please spend a moment remembering her, and what a good girl she was.
_____________________________________________
Here are some of the emails I received...

I'm so sorry Cynthia. Your heart must be broken.Thinking of you and Belle today. Kate

Cynthia: I am so sorry for your loss. I always loved her remarkable spirit when she came in here. It was with such joy that she said hello-even if she wasn't feeling well. Her little tail stub a constantly a waggin'.
I am still sad for you. It really sucks to be the one left behind. This is when I resent being a grown up!! It's just darn hard!!! Hang in there. I don't think the sadness diminishes with time (in spite of what everyone says), but some of the sting goes.
For Belle, she knew that she was loved and in the end, when she was needing you to make the hardest decision ever, you had the courage to gift her that last gift of love. She would be grateful.
Big Hug, Janice

Hi Cynthia,I'm so sorry to hear that you lost Belle. I'll be thinking of you.Best wishes Stewart

Hi Cynthia,I'm sending you all my love and support tonight. Belle was a lovely creature and she brought out many lovely things in you. I will remember Belle -- her sweetness, her excitement and her goofiness and how the two of you were the prettiest gals to strut your stuff on Strand Ave.Hugs, Karen xo

Cynthia,I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. She was such a lovely dog. I will miss her and all my thoughts are with you.Maureen

Cynthia:
I'm crying a lot right now (and I'm at work!) at the thought of Belle leaving your happy home. This all brings back such sad memories of when my Mau passed away so I think I know a bit about how you must be feeling. I don't know what I can say to make this any better for you than at least you can be satisfied knowing you did everything possible to give her a loving home for the time she had on earth. It's never long enough when it comes to being with those we love so much but thank God for the good memories. Love, Cheryl

Dear Cynthia,
I am so deeply sorry to hear of Belle's further health complications, and your extremely heart wrenching decision to let her go. I know how deep the bond is between the two of you, and I know something of the loss you're feeling now; you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be in touch again over the next little while.
With much love and sympathy, Heather

Dear Cynthia ....I'm so sorry to hear about Belle... you two had such a special relationship and although you'll have all of those happy memories of you time together, I know you will miss her a lot. I'm glad i had a chance to know her for a little while -- do you remember how wonderful a photography model she was for me on that walk we took and i was trying out shots for my class. thank you!hugs, linda

Dear Cynthia, I am so very sorry to hear about your beautiful doggy, Belle. I will take a moment to cherish her precious memory. (I can hardly see to type this as I too have tears in my eyes) With love Vicki

Cynthia, I am so sorry to hear the news and have such sympathy for you. Belle was also very special to so many other people too and she will be missed. Yesterday, I didn't see you at Courtney's but ran into her this morning at the river and she did tell me the sad news. I am so glad I met Belle and know what you must be going through. Sometimes I'm not very good with words but I definitely feel a great loss for you. Monica

Cynthia, I'm so sorry about Belle. She will be remembered and missed by our whole family.
Please come visit - we will cook you dinner and give you hugs.
Call me. Beth

Cynthia, I'm so sorry. I am crying now, because I know what you're going through. I know it's heartbreaking right now.
You loved Belle and you did the right thing. I believe she's in a better place with no pain.
If you ever want to talk, please let me know. I'll be here for you. Savilla

So sorry to hear, Cynthia, about lovely Belle.
For all that she was to you, you were also a
wonderful friend to her. My thoughts are with you both.
Best wishes, Seonaid

Cynthia I am so sorry to hear of your loss I know what Belle meant to you. Thinking of you Brad

Hi Cynthia,I am very sorry to hear about Belle, and I know, as the song says, you loved her well. Hope we can get together soon to drown your sorrows.See you tomorrow at work, I hope.Calvin

Cindy, I'm so sorry to hear about Belle. You took wonderful care of her and she truly had a fantastic life. She was a good girl, and I will always remember her.Linda

I was very sorry to hear about your loss Cynthia. Belle was so sweet... You are in my and Jen's thoughts in this tough time.Take care,Love, Brigitte and Jen

Hello Cynthia
I was so sad to hear of Belle's passing. She was a beautiful dog both inside and out. I have heard that dogs chose their owners too, and seeing you and Belle together it must have been so.
My deepest sympathy to you as you learn to live without her companionship. Best regards, Nancy

Dear Cynthia,I'm so sorry to hear about Belle; she was such a lovely dog. I remember her best as a puppy. I still have the Belle fridge magnet you gave me. Thanks for letting me know.Colleen XO

Cynth, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Belle. I know you will miss her greatly. Thinking of you. Susan

I never said how sorry I was about Belle, but I have been thinking about you. You are/were such a good mom. Jessie

Hi Cynthia; I am sorry to hear about Belle. Jodie told me the day you had to make the decision. Belle was a special girl and she had a special care taker to take care of her and love her to her last days. Take care of yourself and know that we are thinking of you as well as Belle. Hugs Lorna

Hey Cyndy, I am so sorry to hear about Belle. I can not image what it must be like loosing such a great companion. I have been thinking about you since this email. I got Hydro only recently and am amazed at how quickly he has bonded with both myself and Zack.
I will call you later, it is too early now. Love you dearly, SAM

Heyy....I am so so sorry to hear about your baby. I wish I had actually met her, instead of only hearing such good things. I know you love her and I am glad you at least got a lil extra time with her after the start of her sickness. Jeannie

Dear Cynthia; I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost Meg (Belle's mother) 4 years ago. I feel like there is still a hole in my heart. Suzanne Pol

Oh Cynthia, I'm so sorry to hear about Belle. I was just thinking about her as I was scrambling up the big rock on our property at the Similkameen the other day. She made it look a lot easier than I did! What a good and capable girl she was! Take care, Cynthia. I love the picture and feel honoured to be in it. Allyson

Sheila left a lovely message (that I still listen to...) So I say to her, and ALL my dear friends

Thank-you for your call, your kind words and memories, which truly help me get through this. I spend my days crying, for my heart is broken. But I know she loved and trusted me to the end, as I made the decision to let her go. She will live within my heart, and with time I'll learn to live without her at my side. We will talk soon.
Love, C
PS My cat Rocky has been lovely, giving me lots of attention

Welshiegirl

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Thank-you to everyone who loved her too.