Virginia, our sweetness (July 30 2005 - Dec 8 2017)
But it was not all lounging around, you started on your second career as a therapy dog. You were a complete natural, you didn't require any training, you were perfect as is. You passed the grueling therapy dog exam without a second thought (which Kim described as doggy Survivor with dogs getting booted after every test). You brought so much light into people's lives at the Grace Manor, especially those with dementia. My favourite story is how one Spanish-speaking lady with Alzheimers had been inconsolable for an hour sobbing over her long-dead mother. None of the staff were able to comfort her, but you walked into the room and she looked up and immediately stopped crying, you walked right up to her and she held your face in her hands for twenty minutes just speaking sweet nothings to you in Spanish. You had an incredible way of winning everyone's heart. We took you travelling to St. Louis for Sheepiepalooza and three Sheepdog Shindigs in Niagara. Going to Sheepiepalooza I thought you would get overlooked, the mature dog in your short hair, compared to the superstar, glamorous Mady and the adorable 6 month old puppy Gracie. But no, you were a favourite, melting hearts with your gentle sweetness. But you could also be clumsy and stubborn. You felt so entitled, and you were, Queen of everthing! Walking over and grabbing mommy's bagel with cream cheese in one bite because you just assumed it was for you. I could only laugh and love you more. No gates would hold you. I got a wire pen to hold Mady and Gracie when we were off doing agility or herding. It has stakes I could use to pin it to the ground, but I never used them--Mady or Gracie would bark their heads off when I was working with the other, but they never tried to get out of the pen. One day at herding I had you in there, next thing I know the pen was knocked over and being dragged along by you. You spent 6 years always at our side, sleeping in bed or right next to the bed. Even with the water dish right outside the bedroom, you would never leave the bedroom to get a drink like Gracie and Mady, you would never leave our side (though in your later years, I had to fetch you water in bed, as expected for the Queen). Whatever room we were in, you were there. My Virginia, we miss you so much, we miss you being the fun police and telling off your daughters, we miss having this bottomless source of love at our side, we could never love you enough, but we tried! Virginia our sweetness, our mama bear, we love you, we love you, we love you forever.  My sweet baby girl  One of her many, many pillow forts  Virginia and grandpuppy Dashiel  Virginia and some of her very large family! (left-to-right granddaughter Frankie, daughters Mady and Gracie, Virginia, grandson Heath, son-in-law Murphy  ) Virginia herding!  I love this photo, the first winter with baby Gracie and Virginia, off to the park, they trodded in together like a troop of prehistoric animals on the tundra.  Virginia   Our hearts are shattered, I will never kiss this nose again in this life   |
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| David and Kim, please accept my condolences on your loss of mama bear. The world is an emptier place without her. |
| Life is just not fair. My heart breaks for you guys. Virginia was one in a million. No, BILLION. Loved that girl. So, so sorry.  |
| So sorry |
| Oh nooo, Sweet Virginia. I'm so sorry for your loss. We know how hard it is and your post was so beautiful. |
| So very sorry, it was hard not to love Virginia. |
| David and Kim I am so sorry to hear this news about Virginia and sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how hard it is and now I have to tell Nonc that his granny Virginia crossed the rainbow bridge.. |
learsylvania wrote: David and Kim I am so sorry to hear this news about Virginia and sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how hard it is and now I have to tell Nonc that his granny Virginia crossed the rainbow bridge.. And she crossed before her time. It was a side effect of strong anti-biotics. She would still be going strong if not for that. She went on a good day, though, at home, after having her favourite treats, on her favourite spot on the sofa, surrounded by David, Gracie and Mady. Starting to worry about Mady, she has not eaten since and is not herself. I guess dogs feel it too. The worst part is the crying, I just cannot seem to stop and I have to go back to work tomorrow. So keep paws crossed that I can hold it together. Nonc needs to come for a visit, or we need to visit Nonc. David's uncle lives there, we really should visit. Going to be weird having only two dogs in the car. |
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| Hopefully you are doing okay. You know everyone is welcome if you want to do a road trip to Washington, DC. Nonc would love that. I will be in Ottawa February 19-22 in 2018 for work. I want to see all of you while there. Nonc is NOT coming with. |
| When we lost our first OES, I cried for two weeks, on the way to work, coming home and at home. It is not something we get over easily. I hope Mady can enjoy life again. |
| It has been two weeks since Virginia left us. I miss her so much it hurts. I wish I could just skip all of the holiday stuff, but Mady and Gracie do love their cousins. |
| David & Kim - I'm so sorry to hear about Virginia! I've been away from the forum for quite a while, and this is the first thing I saw when I logged in today. My thoughts are with you. |
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