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  • Profile picture of Martha

    Martha posted an update 4 years ago

    On 6/20/ 2022 I lost my beautiful baby, my heart.
    • Profile picture of Toni Noel
      Toni Noel replied 4 years ago
      Oh Martha, this must be Raina. What a beauty. I am very sorry for your loss. How did you meet? How long were you together? Please tell us about Raina and your lives together – we really do want to know. And, we want you to feel welcome and safe sharing your stories and feelings with us. It hasn’t been very long and I know it hurts so very deeply. I share a tear and a {{HUG}} with you. Toni
      • Profile picture of Martha
        Martha replied 4 years ago
        Yes th8s is Raina. I had her since she was 8 weeks old. My daughter brought her home and we fell in love. She was my service dog/ friend and constant companion. When she was 6 months old, I started looking for a service dog, I had multiple back surgeries and stumble when I walk. My Mom picked her for my service dog before she passed because she was calm and well behaved. So, together we made the journey of training, she was so wonderful and easy to train. She had gotten hurt about three weeks before she passed, sprained her ankle. There was no warning that day she went from being normal to panting heavily, to non responsive when we got her to vet. I keep thinking I missed something. She was only 10 we were supposed to have more years.
        • Profile picture of Toni Noel
          Toni Noel replied 4 years ago
          That’s shocking, Martha. But, I wonder if there was something going on for poor Raina and I know you’ve gone through all the “what if’s” and “woulda, coulda, shoulda” but there was something wrong for her to become non-responsive, and it was most likely best for her to exit comfortably rather than suffer. I guess we’ll never really know that part, but you will always know she shared a very kind and loving life with you. It is so terribly hard and hurtful to not have them with us, the house, and our hearts are just so empty….. we are here to go through this with you, hope to hear more from you, and are thinking of you.
          You are very welcome to join our Group meeting July 21st at 8 PM Eastern (5 Pacific) to share with us. Here’s the link:

          Join Zoom Meeting
          https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86749211396?pwd=SGtLRno3NG55TGQvVGNWTzd5VnhHdz09

          Meeting ID: 867 4921 1396
          Passcode: 828632

          • Profile picture of Toni Noel
            Toni Noel replied 4 years ago
            OH! If you like, you can post a permanent Memorial for Raina here: https://www.faithfulfriends.com/memorials/

            • Profile picture of Toni Noel
              Toni Noel replied 4 years ago
              Martha, how are you doing now? I’m thinking of you.
              • Profile picture of Martha
                Martha replied 4 years ago
                It’s hard, these last couple of days. The 20th is a month since she passed. Seems the closer we get to it the harder it is for me. I have been trying to find another dog to be my service dog. Found one at the shelter, but he has chosen my husband instead. Then there’s the guilt I feel because it feels like I’m betraying her memory.
                • Profile picture of Toni Noel
                  Toni Noel replied 4 years ago
                  Oh Dear,,, may I ask you this? If you died, would you want your survivor to feel guilty for giving another a happy, healthy, loving home, or encourage them to open their home and heart to another? I bet you would want the latter, and Raina’s life with you will never be diminished by your loving again – that’s just not possible- in fact, it verifies how much you and she shared, that you can and want to do it again.
                  Ah yes, they do “choose” us, don’t they? I’ve fostered sick cats and when I met my Beauty Girl there was no question we were destined for each other. I miss her every day and am always grateful for her being in my life. Martha, you will meet another and you will feel a lot of love, especially because Raina shared so much with you. It’s only been a very short time since you parted and the grief is deep and strong. Please give yourself some room to move through all of this. You can find resources for service dogs in our “Find Services” tab. Put in your area and use the drop-down menu.
                  Please keep us updated and on the 20th, we will mourn, and celebrate, with you. I hope his {{HUG}} gives you a little comfort. Toni