Oh, "Happy" Days!

I would like to have the pleasure of introducing you to Happy!  As her name implies, she has been a song in our hearts for almost ten years.  She was our first "baby".  John and I rescued her from the Humane Society in California.  She was three days away from euthanasia...can you imagine???  She has filled our lives with laughs and love and we can't imagine the beginning of our family without her.  Happy welcomed both of our children into the family, taking her place as protector and playmate.  She is simply wonderful.

Happy has cancer.  Lymphoma.  It has been over two weeks since we heard this devastating news.  Devastating might be a strong word to use for some people, especially when we are talking about a "dog".  To us, Happy isn't just a "dog".  She is a member of our family.  Noah and Demetri don't know life without her.  She is a beautiful life that has touched our hearts in so many special ways.

Getting to the diagnosis of cancer was a roller coaster journey that lasted several days.  But when the diagnosis was confirmed, we were in shock.  We knew she was getting older, but I don't think anyone is prepared to hear this kind of news about their pet.  In the midst of our pain and sadness, we discovered that Happy was teaching us an invaluable lesson.  As we faced each day with the knowledge that it could be Happy's last, we began to notice how full and "happy" our life as a family became!  When faced with Happy's illness, we made everything special!  We have cuddled more.  We are enjoying our meals as a family more.  We are playing together more.  We are just sitting more. 

John has countless hours of video footage of Happy eating, using the dog run (ugh!), playing, sleeping, nuzzling, sitting at the vet's office, and everything in between!  We even called a very special photographer to come and take pictures of us and Happy.  So, in our efforts to preserve this beautiful life to the best of our abilities, we have found peace and simplicity in life.

We haven't given up on Happy.  We are pursuing every opportunity we can find to extend her days with us...as long as she is her "Happy" self and isn't suffering, we will keep fighting for her.  My brain is filled with information regarding conventional vet therapy and holistic therapies.  Our struggle now is deciding which path to follow - and we don't have a lot of time to spare!  So, we are taking each day as it comes and doing our best with what we know today.  We have a "bucket list" that we are working on this summer while Happy is still with us.  Trips to Bend, the beach, hiking, swimming, dog parks, visiting our neighbor pets more often, etc.  All the things on the list happen to be good for us, too!  The back of our car is set up for Happy's comfort so she can be with us as much as possible.

I am so grateful for the handful of people who have linked their hearts to ours and have been an unbelievable source of support during this time.  Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your love for our Happy.  I am also grateful for what God is using Happy to teach us.  He is showing us such beauty through her life.  I know that God's presence is with us and I pray that we will keep the eyes of our understanding open to what He wants to show us.

Father God, thank you so much for Happy.  You provided the perfect animal to be a member of our family.  I know that every living thing has been created for a purpose.  I also believe that everything that has breath will praise you!  I have seen this in Happy's life.  The responsibility that comes with having a pet for 10 years is overshadowed by the great joy we've had in being her caretakers!  We continue to learn precious lessons about life through Happy.  Please grant us the strength to know when it is time to let Happy go from this world.  Please hold us close and cover us with your peace when we do say goodbye to our girl.  In the meantime, I pray for strength and wisdom in keeping Happy comfortable and healthy for whatever amount of time we have with her.  In your precious Name I pray, Amen.

Here are a few pictures we've taken with our girl:

Our beautiful girl!

Happy, Ms. Kim, and me hanging out!
Happy loves her Kim. :)

Relaxing with Dad.

Happy "destuffing" a gift from Ms. Kim!

Happy, Daddy and Jake hangin' out in the backyard.

Demetri loves Happy. :)

Good morning, Happy!  Family cuddle time...

Well deserved rest after partying on 4th of July
(notice her glow necklace?!)