In Memory - Velvet

One of the sweetest Boxer souls to grace the earth left us today. I introduced Velvet in my post "Resilience" some time ago.This is what her "mom" said today when she gave us the sad news:

"I am constantly amazed that her previous life was "done with her" as it was said, because all I have been thinking about is how I was not done with her. She was used for breeding, estimated to have had three litters by the time she was three, then shipped around to a few different homes until Marta accepted her as a surrender to BRC. She didn't physically need to be a mother, but her heart was so mothering. I used to let her outside when I let the boys out to play and she would look after them so very well. She would literally guard them. When they would play on the floor, or even on the couch, she was always around hovering over them and snuggling them. Whenever we would leave the house, rest assured she would be sitting in the window waiting for us when we got home, without fail. We often referred to her as our "dog mom". She taught me a lot about being a mom. Patience and tenderness. I've only survived as a mom because of her comfort at the end of some very trying days mothering our two special needs children. She was my rock. She was always with me. I'm scared without her.

I know now, that although she didn't give me "the look" until today. I've had signs in the past few days, including from Gunner and Mercy, and that letting her be free was the right choice to make. My heart hurts, my family is suffering, but I know it was time. Appropriately, the first song that came on the radio when we left the CARE Centre was "Let Her Go". Pretty much sums it up.

That extra star in the sky tonight will be her. She used to watch them with me, now she is one.

Thank you to the kindness of Boxer Rescue Canada and all our dear friends. Your generosity took the stress off a very unexpected, painful experience. If you feel so inclined, donations to Boxer Rescue Canada in Velvet's name are personally greatly appreciated."

Farewell sweet girl.

Velvet's window perch.

Riding in the van with mom.

This week, Mercy & Gunner watching over while she slept.

Beautiful Velvet, as we should remember her.