It’s retreat week at the farm – our friends from the Kansas City area, the Philadelphia area and Sea Bright, NJ traveled to North Iowa to spend the week sewing in the classroom. From left to right: Renee, Beckey, Marion, Christy and Amy
They met at a Country Threads camp years ago and now meet here annually as friends from across the country who love to sew together. A conservative estimate would be 20 assorted quilt tops completed by the group this week. We have enjoyed several dinners with them making it a really fun week for us, too.
I am working on Tessie – lots of fabrics to arrange and cut out and then lots of hand applique to do. Connie and I are making this quilt together so that neither of us has to take on all of the applique.
If you’ve been following the blog over the past week you know how busy I’ve been keeping dogs. This morning as 7 dogs crowded around me, I asked Amy to take a picture. As it turns out, it is the last picture I have of Benjie pictured on the left. I’ve noticed a change in him in the past week or so and today he simply didn’t feel good so I made an appointment at the vet. His glucose levels were off the chart and he was seriously ill with diabetes. They urged me to start him on insulin twice daily or put him down at that time because he was so sick. Letting him die a natural death at home would not have been the kind thing to do for my buddy Benjie so I held him in my arms as he drifted off to the Rainbow Bridge to meet Millie. What a sad turn of events but as you all know, I value quality of life over quantity of life and I know Millie has been waiting for her Benjie for 3 years.
Until next week,
Mary
I had to have my Dalmatian put to sleep in my arms last year and I miss her a lot because she was your last dog. I use to puppy set when we owned our home. I had up to 6 at a time. I loved have them all around. I hope you keep puppy setting because it will help. I ended up with a 16 # white cat. Not a dog but a living thing-I have adjusted to him.
So sorry you have lost you good friend. It is comforting to know he is without pain and feels young and playful again.
I am so sad to hear about Benjie and so glad that he is now with his playmate Millie. It is just so sad to lose a pet. My thoughts are right there with you Mary.
I am sorry about Benji.
How can you be so brave about the rainbow bridge………..
I guess it is only because you have had to visit it so often.
Your experience and courage gives me courage with my trips with my friends to the now familiar bridge……….
It is so hard to left someone go be it human or animal. I know you did the right thing as it is so hard to see our pets suffer!
My sympathy goes out to you on the loss of your beloved Benji. It is never any easy task to deal with. I am too dealing with a senior pet who is 12 this year and has had a bout of cancer when young. Until the vet tells me that it is time to let her go, I will continue to cherish my time with her as you did with Benji. Take care.
My deepest sympathy to you, with the loss of Benji. Perhaps they are playing with my Black Lab – Buck! I’ve dreamed of him often, in a field of green with a creek flowing through it and it used to have a bridge.
Lately there has been a well worn path leading up and over the ridge. I think my hubby and Buck are on the other side, playing in a glorious garden….getting it ready for whenever it’s my turn to join them.
If Benji and Millie are with Buck & Wayne….they will be well cared for until you can rejoin them!
So sorry about your loss. I love dogs. We had our beloved Dottie a wonderful 11year old greyhound for so many years. Had to put her down in feb. it broke everyone heart. She was the best. I love dogs. , and especially love what they give to us , unconditional love. Forever
so very sorry to hear about your loss but we know you really made a heartfelt decision . God bless you and your love for all the animals……….
You are in my prayers. I know how hard it is to have a pet put down. I have had my share of trips to the vet where my dog didn’t get to come home with me. I have had family members ask me why I get so upset over a dog passing. As you and I know, they are not just pets, they are family. God bless you for loving them enough to set them free.
Andrea Mitchell
It’s sad to have to let them go, but, it would not be good to let him suffer. You did the right thing. The doggies that have gone before him will be glad to have him back.
Oh Mary, I’m so sorry. So hard to do but also kind. I’m sure he’s having the time of his life with Millie now.
Linda
Oh Mary. Sorry you had to do this with Benji. It was of course the right one but still so hard. Thank you so much for giving him a home….