PEARL...A living tribute.......
Many, many years ago I got a call from our local Humane Society. A puppy needed a home. A young couple had just dropped off a beardie. They drove the highway with ""Jordan"" in the bed of that dam truck and told the HS receptionist they didn't realize how much grooming this type of dog needed. The receptionist suspected the more gross,matted, dirty Jordan was, the less she was allowed in the house. A beardie puppy~~~ I was so excited!!!! I walked into the greeting room and lo and behold~~there was a sad looking, terribly matted, thin puppy~but not a beardie, an OES!!! Her name was "Jordan".The twinkle in her eyes and little whine she let out when she saw me..It was love at first sight. Dino came later and took our grooming tools with him. While I was completing adoption papers, My dear husband sat on the floor and gently began brushing her. I remember looking through the window and thinking, she is with her daddy..she knows it, he knows it, I know it. I walked back into the room to announce that Jordan was ours, only to be told by 'dad' that HE decided her name would be PEARL~~~~ PEARL????? but Jordan is so sweet!!! NONONO...Pearl ..I knew I had lost the battle..but won the precious prize!!!! MY PEARL GIRL~~~ And our adventure began..... Pearl was not the easiest pup to train. She had so much energy. I attributed it to her being neglected all those months, but now I know she was just being a wonderful sheepie. She was very very smart!!! She learned to unzip the couch pillows and eat the foam. So, although there were no outworldly signs of abuse to my beautiful couch. When someone sat down, there was no padding. I had to put aluminum foil filled with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, etc on the couch to keep her off..but when I came home,. the foil would be neatly on the floor and the zipper ...well you get it! Finally, I purchased a crate. (back in the day, I didn't believe in crating...well, Pearl cured me of that.) And her crate was HERS for the next 5-6 years. She became my second therapy dog at the age of 15 months.... Millie, the first, was the greatest!! Now, I can say, that Pearl lived in Millie's shadow for many years, but truth be told, Pearl was even greater!! She had a special way about her. Hard to explain. She was a clown when she neede to be. She was serious when needed. But always happy..happy and joyful. She welcomed Cozmo..well...kind of..but became a wonderful Alpha, teaching him, playing with him,and when Heart came to us, she became the surrogate momma to the baby. There were are few snaps as she taught Heart various things, like...Pearls food is PEARL'S FOOD!!!! And Pearl's daddy is PEARL'S DADDY!! She allowed both to share me. She began the PAWS program last year and I think she really enjoyed it! She loved listening to the kids read and the special treat was a high five from Pearl after their reading time. At the end of the session, Pearl would perform her famous front ///back stretch. And of course she loved her bandana's and Hats. She was a great sport!!!! Pearl got her Rally Advanced title at the age of 12 and the reason we didn't go on to EX was that Pearl was diagnosed with Cushings and Arthritis in her spine. She loved her time in the ring. Even though she pooped one time...and she left the ring another time, and she 'got silly' yet another time. I needed to journal her life. I needed to tell someone, anyone how special this one dog was. I needed to publically thank her for being my best friend, my therapist, my 'vault', my dreams, my love. She is going to the bridge soon. Maybe today..And I will cry. My heart and soul will hurt. How do you say goodby??? And yet, how do you not??? How can she be allowed to suffer for my selfishness??? With this pure, unconditional love...I have to do what is best for her.... I knew this day was immenant. I knew I would not allow her to suffer. I knew my love for her meant to be there to the end, to comfort her as she has comforted me even as my heart was breaking. Whatever happens today..I wanted to write about my dear girl... Pearl, you have enriched my life, my spirit. You have endured my mistakes and always forgave me all my faults. You are going to be missed so much!!, You will be in my heart and soul. And, one day, as I cross the bridge, I will hear your high pitched bark in the distance..I will see you bounding to me, with that twinkle in your eye. I will crouch down and you will bowl me over and we will be together again. But for now...at this moment, I will sit on the floor and comfort you... I will inhale you,,I will wet your hair with my tears and talk to you about your new adventure and you will know as you will be with me in spirit, I will be with you..forever. I will keep everyone posted on what happens when I take her in to the vet ...... |
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| Oh Val, I say this with tears streaming down my face, I am so sorry. Please give Pearl a hug for me. |
My heart is breaking reading this. I hope whatever decisions are made today at the vets for Pearl, they are what's best for her, I know they will be, she has the best mom in the world.  |
| I too am crying and feel so sorry this decision is having to be made. |
Oh Val...I'm crying here too...  (hard to find those darn emoticons with tears streaming) It must be the day...Simon is doing so much worse this week and I have a call into Troy (vet) for some pain meds for him...just to make things comfortable for him..I know we are in the last days here too. I was doing somewhat OK until I read your post.. now I can't stop crying. We love these crazy dogs. I just thank the dog gods that I had the chance to know Simon, give him a second chance at life (he's a rescue, for those who don't know) and share his love and talents as a therapy dog for the past 5 1/2 years. Hugs Val  and sweet Pearl |
Please give Pearl a hug from us too! She has a really beautiful story  |
| My eyes were dry this morning, not any more! Such a lovely tribute to Pearl! |
SheepieBoss wrote: My eyes were dry this morning, not any more! Such a lovely tribute to Pearl! Same here. I am so sorry you are faced with this. It is so hard to let them go. Hugs to you and Pearl. |
| This really is a sad day, sorry to hear about Simon too Dawn. Tripper is getting older and slowing down, noticing some things are changing and also dreading the day. Guess we hug all of our "kids" harder today. |
| With tears I'm sending you hugs and prayers. I know how much you love Pearl and I was hoping she could be with you just a little longer. I feel so lucky that I got to meet her last year and I was hoping to see her again at Nationals walking in the Rescue Parade. She would have been so proud to see you "walk for her" carrying her photo. She certainly has touched a lot of lives. Hugs to you and Pearl. Its a very sad day in Sheepieland. |
| My heart was touched too by reading that lovely tribute. My thoughts are with Pearl today ...and to you!!! |
| Val, What a wonderful tribute to your girl. We all know it is not an easy decision, I will be thinking of you and Pearl. BIG GIANT HUGS to you both. Brenda |
| Val, I am sitting here crying as I read this. There are no words that can ease the pain when you know you are about to lose your best friend. Hugs and prayers to you and Dino. |
| Laurie and Oscar |
| What a beautiful tribute to beautiful Pearl. I am so sorry to hear that Pearl has arrived at the time in her life where you have to make this very sad decision. I've always had this special spot in my heart for your Pearl since she and my cat both share the same name and aging as your girl is. My thoughts are with you and plz give sweet Pearl a hug from us. Tears, |
| Val, The tribute was very moving. Know that I am thinking of Pearl, you, and your family. |
| It sounds like you've been blessed to have Pearl as a part of your life, and she to have you in hers. Hugs from far away; Allison and the girls |
| I understand why your husband insisted on naming her Pearl, that pearl of great price, so valuable that you would give up everything you own to have her. It sounds like it fits her perfectly. I understand all too well how difficult this is. Many hugs and prayers for you and your beautiful Pearl. |
| Val, you know that I say this fromthe heart, I know very well what are you going thru, love your tribute and the way you think. Please give our love to Pearl and I will keep you, Pearl and you husband Dino in my prayers |
| What a beautiful tribute Val. Look back on all the wonderful things she contributed to everyone's life. She will leave a big hole in your heart at first. But I honestly feel they fill that hole with a part of their's when they leave us. By doing so, they make us a much better person. And our human hearts receive at least some portion of that unconditional love that their hearts are made of. |
| What a wonderful tribute to Pearl. I love the cushion story, it makes me smile to think of her unzipping those pillows and then later having to move the foil too just to get to her "foam toy". You should be so proud of putting those Rally titles on her. She is really inspiring. ChSheepdogs wrote: She will leave a big hole in your heart at first. But I honestly feel they fill that hole with a part of their's when they leave us. By doing so, they make us a much better person. And our human hearts receive at least some portion of that unconditional love that their hearts are made of. Marilyn, that is a lovely sentiment. |
| Val, What an amazing tribute to your Pearl! I hope that no matter what happens you remember all the wonderful times that you've had with her. You're in my thoughts and prayers, Kate |
| Val, thank you for sharing Pearl with us. I bid Pearl, you and your family peace. |
| What an amazing tribute, Val... |
| That was beautiful Val |
| Your post came straight from the heart and has also left me in tears. It is beautiful. Hugs Marianne |
| What a beautiful tribute to Pearl. I too was crying. My heart is with you. |
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