Too many good pets gone, or, typing through my tears
By Gina Spadafori
December 17, 2008
The week started badly with the news of reader Carol V’s little Smudge kitty. Then my friends Bob and Laura lost their 15-year-old border collie, Brynn.
And then, Jazz.
I knew Jazz wasn’t long for this world. My friend Teresa had told all of Jazzie’s fans that things were going downhill, and fast. Jazz had lived almost two years fighting cancer, which is a very long time indeed for a dog. And almost all of that time was good. I’ve written before how Jazz made it to the 2007 AKC National Agility championships, months after her veterinarians thought she wouldn’t be alive, much less competing at the top of her game. Last month she placed in the veterans division at the World Cynosport Games.
As a favor to me, Teresa shared Jazzie’s story of survival and triumph in our “The Ultimate Dog-Lover” book. (Along with the picture shown here of Jazz, one of my all-time favorites of all the pictures I’ve ever taken in my life.)
Jazz also qualified for the 2008 AKC national agility championships, held last weekend, but she was too sick to compete. She left for the Rainbow Bridge on Monday, news so sad it took me two days to be able to write about it. More than that, I cannot write without having to type through so many tears I cannot see the screen.
One of her veterinarians blogged about her here.
CH MACH3 ADCH Folly’s Jazzin’ It Up CDX JH WC HOF
5/26/99-12/15/08)
No, it’s not about the titles. This was one helluva dog. Teresa, I’m so sorry.
Even the So Cal skies are crying for Jazz this week.
Comment by Debbie — December 17, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
{tears}
I’m so sorry. I so enjoyed your blogging about Jazz (and that is a knock out pic!) It sounds like she lived her life to the fullest until it was time. And defied a few odds along the way. My kinda “girl” ;)
Hopefully soon, the tears from you and her family n’ fans will be sweet memories in your heart, as they carry on forever.
Run free sweet Jazz.
Comment by straybaby — December 17, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Ah, damn, she beat the odds for so long you just sort of hope it won’t end. What a life and what an inspiration. Your reporting on her made me rethink my opinion of cancer treatment in our dogs.
Comment by JenniferJ — December 17, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Jazz was definitely all that (apologies to Bob Fosse — but then, no)
Comment by Susan — December 17, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
Jazz…Smudge…Brynn…rest in peace. You will surely be missed by many. Your light will shine forever.
Comment by Nadine L. — December 18, 2008 @ 12:32 am
I received an important piece of advice this past January. It was from my 2 yr old golden’s oncologist…we had just lost Jessica (our first kitty to get ARF in Feb ‘07) the day after Christmas and two weeks later we took Harry for what we thought was his routine one year post radiation/chemo check. We were devastated to find his cancer back…and little time left…but these words stay with me…”Do not treat him like he is sick-allow him to do whatever he would normally do” and from reading about Jazz — I see her owners followed that advice as well. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the “getting ready to leave us” that we forget to enjoy each and every day with our beloved companions—-2 and 4 legged. This is why I was able to have great quality time with Smudge. I did not dwell on the progressive illness and the fact that I was going to lose her. Life is much too short and too precious to waste…
It gives me peace to know that Smudge arrived at the Rainbow Bridge with such great compnay, Jazz who I am sure jumped over the bridge, and Brynn who I imagine corraled Smudge across!
x0x0
Comment by Carol V — December 18, 2008 @ 6:02 am
Our pain at losing our friends is proportional to our joy in sharing their lives. So, when our hearts are ripped from our chests, we know it was time well spent together.
It’s a pain that everyone here is all to familiar with; if there was one thing I could change about dogs and cats, it would be to give them a longer life span. On the other hand, knowing from day one that the clock is ticking is an excellent reminder to celebrate every moment together.
Comment by Cardimom — December 18, 2008 @ 6:05 am
Jazz sounds like a great girl, whom people will always remember. And it also sounds like she had an amazing person. I’m so sorry for your loss, Teresa.
Comment by Lori — December 18, 2008 @ 6:43 am
HI Gina,
As usual, you made me cry… I have been following Jazz for a while and felt like I knew her. So sad. In keeping with laughter being the best medicine, I think I have a link to just the thing to cheer you up. Check out the Nike’s Angry Chicken add.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvZcrlj7OzM
Comment by nancy freedman-smith — December 18, 2008 @ 8:13 am
Teresa and I have corresponded now and then ever since our beloved Flat-Coat boy was given only a few months to live more than a year ago with the slightly less aggressive variation of what Jazz had. Teresa and Jazz were my hope, my inspiration and their story helped us keep our chins up and focus on the here and now instead of what might be.
It’s because of Teresa and Jazz that we’ve kept our boy in training and doing what he loves the most, be it fetching feathers, accompanying me in the obedience ring or visiting the nursing home.
I sometimes wish that they weren’t such cool dogs because of the cancer issue. But they *are* such cool dogs and totally worth it to me. The breed isn’t for the faint of heart (or stomach?) for more reasons than the cancer issue.
Comment by Deanna — December 18, 2008 @ 9:11 am
I’m so sorry Teresa.
Myself and two dear friends both lost heart dogs very suddenly this year, and at the beginning of the year the dog world lost my rescue partner - one of the most caring, selfless, loving individuals I’ve ever had the incredible pleasure of spending time with. Our only solace is that she is at the Bridge, with an ever growing pack of dogs, handing out pets and woobies, and doling out love to everyone.
It’s not been a good year for anyone I know - we’ve all lost incredible loved ones. The death of anyone is a tragedy but this year has been particularly hard. My heart goes out to all of you who have lost those special to you.
“When someone you love dies, they become a memory, and that memory then becomes a treasure.”
Comment by Kim — December 18, 2008 @ 9:18 am
Thank you Gina for honoring my request to delete my previous comment. I did not intend to hijack the ‘condolences for friends’ thread in any way to have a back and forth about another issue.
My sincere condolences to all those who have lost beloved pets recently and those preparing for a loss. There is no “good” time to say goodbye to our furry friends but certainly holiday time is meant to be joyful, not filled with tears.
Comment by slt — December 18, 2008 @ 9:59 am
We lost April, our beautiful Balinese on Oct, 23.
I’m still devastated.
Comment by Steve — December 18, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
My deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones recently, or who still feel the pain of the loss. For all of us, I wish a brighter 2009 filled with happier warm & fuzzy memories and realities.
Comment by Bev at Pet Care — December 19, 2008 @ 9:14 am