Oslo Options

[moon_beam]

To my friends here at Lightning-Strike. I know I haven't been around much the last 6 months. In July my 6 year old beautiful kitty daughter, Abbygayle, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Fibrosarcoma. The tumor was removed from her left hip on July 15. On September 27, she had three new tumor nodules removed, and on Wednesday, December 9, she will be examined by her doctor to determine if new tumors are developing. So far her doctor has been able to spare amputating her leg, but each surgery brings this closer to reality. And surgery is dependent upon making sure that the cancer has not metastasized to her lungs. When that happens, it will be comfort measures until it is time to ease her journey to the angels. In September, my handsome 14 year old Black Lab, Oslo, was diagnosed with Adinocarcinoma in a salivary gland on the right side of his neck. Because of his advanced age and other medical issues including Laryngeal Paralysis he was not a candidate for surgery. There were other considerations as well because the tumor was already involved with major blood vessels he could have died on the operating table in the process of trying to remove the tumor. If he survived the surgery, he could have been left with facial paralysis or paralysis of his tongue, etc. None of these would have been fair to him. He made it to his 15 th birthday on November 15, and we shared a good Thanksgiving together. On Sunday, November 29, it was obvious that he had suffered a stroke. A veterinary friend of ours came to the house and eased his journey to the angels. Needless to say this has been a very hard week, and today - - being the first anniversary of his passing - - is being incredibly difficult to get through. I am so glad he is once again able to hold his head and tail high and proud healed and restored to his youthfulness in God's loving comforting Presence. But right now the pain of his absence - - - both physical and emotional - - is very hard. I know what I am feeling is normal, and that in time it will transition to being less painful. But right now, my friends, it is very hard. I wanted you to know that I have not been ignoring you all these weeks. I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with each of you who are going through the painful transitions in your lives adjuting to the physical absence of your beloved companions. Hopefully in the coming weeks I will once again be able to join back in offering comfort to each of you. I feel very connected to you for we share a bond with our fur and feathered children - - of every life form - - that goes to our very core of being. And I sincerely thank you for your thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow. They mean more to me than words can say.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[janika]

Oh Moonbeam, what a dreadful time you've been having. Your darling Oslo, is free from his suffering now and will be watching over you and your Kitty Abbygayle. Please know that my love, prayers and thoughts are with you.

I read the poem that you posted on here last year. Its very beautiful and meant a lot to me, as still suffering so much from my darling girl Noushka leaving me 3 months ago.

Thinking of you.

Hugs
Jan and my Angel girls xx

[Brutus]

(((MoonBeam))))...words can't express how much my heart goes out to you..I lost Brutus, my 13 yr old black lab..and soulmate..on Nov.16. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks for me. Brutus had a stroke as well...and laryngeal paralysis. His arthritis was so bad he could hardly stand at times...he had survived cancer twice..siezures..and other complications at times in his life. I know too well how much pain you are in...as do others here.

It is the hardest thing I ever had to go through. Oslo and Brutus are running together now free of all pain. Two black labs romping in the fields..I know there is no better sight.

Sending prayers for Abbygale.

Hugs to you,
Brutus' Mom

[moon_beam]

Hi, Janika and Brutus' Mom. Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses. Jan, I am so glad that you found the poem I posted comforting to you, and I hope you were able to print a copy of it to keep. Please feel free to do so, but if you have trouble doing that, please let me know and I will e-mail you a copy of it if you'd like me to. Please accept my sincerest and deepest sympathies in each of your losses, and please know you are close in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[AngelCareOne]

To my friends here at Lightning-Strike. I know I haven't been around much the last 6 months. In July my 6 year old beautiful kitty daughter, Abbygayle, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Fibrosarcoma. The tumor was removed from her left hip on July 15. On September 27, she had three new tumor nodules removed, and on Wednesday, December 9, she will be examined by her doctor to determine if new tumors are developing. So far her doctor has been able to spare amputating her leg, but each surgery brings this closer to reality. And surgery is dependent upon making sure that the cancer has not metastasized to her lungs. When that happens, it will be comfort measures until it is time to ease her journey to the angels.

In September, my handsome 14 year old Black Lab, Oslo, was diagnosed with Adinocarcinoma in a salivary gland on the right side of his neck. Because of his advanced age and other medical issues including Laryngeal Paralysis he was not a candidate for surgery. There were other considerations as well because the tumor was already involved with major blood vessels he could have died on the operating table in the process of trying to remove the tumor. If he survived the surgery, he could have been left with facial paralysis or paralysis of his tongue, etc. None of these would have been fair to him. He made it to his 15 th birthday on November 15, and we shared a good Thanksgiving together. On Sunday, November 29, it was obvious that he had suffered a stroke. A veterinary friend of ours came to the house and eased his journey to the angels.

Needless to say this has been a very hard week, and today - - being the first anniversary of his passing - - is being incredibly difficult to get through. I am so glad he is once again able to hold his head and tail high and proud healed and restored to his youthfulness in God's loving comforting Presence. But right now the pain of his absence - - - both physical and emotional - - is very hard. I know what I am feeling is normal, and that in time it will transition to being less painful. But right now, my friends, it is very hard. I wanted you to know that I have not been ignoring you all these weeks. I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with each of you who are going through the painful transitions in your lives adjuting to the physical absence of your beloved companions. Hopefully in the coming weeks I will once again be able to join back in offering comfort to each of you. I feel very connected to you for we share a bond with our fur and feathered children - - of every life form - - that goes to our very core of being. And I sincerely thank you for your thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow. They mean more to me than words can say.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dearest Moon Beam, I'm so very sorry to hear about all this. How terrible for you. My deepest sympathies and condolences. Please know that you, Abbygayle and your Angel Fur Kid Oslo are all in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be lighting candles for them and you, too.



Winging many Angels to soothe and guide you through this most difficult time in your life.

Many Comforting Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

[madi]

My heart goes out to you moon_beam, I know first hand how devastating it is when a loved one like Oslo passes. You have certainly had your share of sadness over the past few months and I hope Abbygayle receives a favourable report on the 9th. She isn't a very old kitty, only six, it's a real shame. Hugs.

madi xx

[moon_beam]

Hi, Dottie and Madie, thank you so much for your thoughtful comfort. I have often found myself wondering whatever on earth I could say to my friends here on Lightning Strike who are going through their grief journey to help comfort them. It's comforting to be able to share our hearts with others who truly do understand how painful it is to lose a beloved companion, and not having to feel that we need to make apologies for our feelings. Your friendship is a huge comfort to me. Madi, please accept my sincerest and heartfelt sympathies in your loss as well. Please know that each response will be printed and become a permanent part of my Oslo's memorial scrapbook. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[moon_beam]

My dear friends, just checking in with you to let you know that life here is moving forward one day at a time. Some days are easier than others. The holidays have been a challenge to get through, and now we are beginning another year. This is one of the difficult days - - to start another year without Oslo's sweet precious physical presence here. I have slowly been putting some of things away in storage. I have been working on his scrapbook updating it, etc., and that has been helpful. Keeps me focused on his life. I ask you to please continue to keep my little family in your thoughts and prayers. And please know each of you are in mine.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Brutus]

I know what you mean, Christmas just wasn't the same without my Brutus...but yes, life does go on...even though it's not always the best days. Hoping you have a great new year and Abbygale is doing well.



Hugs to you and Oslo,
Brutus' Mom

[Brutus]

Here is another Moon beam....look I think it's Oslo and Brutus! They found each other at the bridge!

[moon_beam]

Hi, Sonya, thank you so much for your wonderful comforting words and pictures. I do believe Oslo and Brutus are the best of buddies - - what a wonderful image!! Thank you so much for your most comforting responses. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[ladywolf]

Moon BeaM--

Thank you so much for coming back to give comfort to all of us. I really believe that that is one of the main functions that this Forum serves--to allow us to give as well as receive, just as we did, and do, with our four-leggeds. Attending to the needs of others makes us feel useful, and we really need that in our times of loss. I've been so happy, personally, to rceive your supportive posts.

Many blessings to you--Margi and The Wolf

[moon_beam]

My dear Lightning Strike Friends,
Here is a picture of my distinguished gentleman, Oslo. This was taken during the summer of 2007 - - he was 13.5 years old then. I hope you will enjoy it. When I adopted him from Guiding Eyes for the Blind in 1998, I gave him the Middle Name of "Malcolm" which honored his career as a Special Needs Guide Dog. His second career was as my Animal Assisted Therapy Partner - - and what a joy he was to many people who had an opportunity to meet him and spend some time with him. He had a very calming presence about him - - and he is greatly missed.












Thank you for sharing him with me, and please know each of you are always close in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[tanbuck]

Oh that face! What a sweet sweet boy. I know you miss that face dearly!
-Donna

[moon_beam]

Hi, Donna,
Yes, I do miss him a great deal. It's hard losing both him and Abbygayle within 4 months of each other. Thank you so much for sharing my fur babies with me. It means a lot to me. And your picture of Frasier and Niles for your avatar is GREAT!! Thank you so much for sharing your furbabies with us, Donna. Thank you so much for your comforting support and friendship.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Flossie's Mom]

Such a handsome guy! You were a lucky, lucky Mom!!!

Ginger

[moon_beam]

Hi, Ginger, thank you so much, and all my dear Lightning Strike Friends. Yes, indeed, I was very blessed to have him in our journey together on this side of eternity. We were together for 11 years and 2 weeks. We adopted one another on his 4th birthday, November 15, 1998. He was born at the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Breeding facility in 1994, and after he successfully completed his "Good Dog Manners" training with his puppy raisers, he was selected to be trained as a Special Needs Guide Dog for a lady who had other physical challenges in addition to vision loss. As happens sometimes with matches, this one did not fully bond, so Oslo was returned to his Alma Mater for evaluation for re-training for another partner. It was decided that it would take too long to re-train him for someone else in comparison to what his active working career would be. So, he was given an "early retirement." I was contacted by my friends at Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Adoption Center because they felt that Oslo would be a "perfect fit" for me. He was gift to me from them as I had needed to send my lifetime canine companion of 15 years and 8 months to the angels in March 1998 - - he had been a gift to me from my mom. So, Oslo and I met one another in November 1998, and we decided we would give it a "go." And he truly was a "miracle" from the very beginning. He had such a comforting, reassuring presence about him, and all of his kitty siblings who joined the household after him loved him - - never ever was afraid of him, even though he was considerably bigger than they were. He was a PERFECT Animal Assisted Therapy volunteer for 5.5 years. He is greatly missed, but I know he is now holding his head and tail high in heaven's perfect garden, and is lovingly looking after two of his kitty siblings, Eli and Abbygayle. I know he would not have been able to physically endure the winter we had this past season, but now that the weather is becoming more pleasant - - it's hard not having him here to enjoy it.

Thank you so o o o much for sharing him with me, and please know each of you are close in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[moon_beam]

My dearest Oslo, today is exactly 6 months to the date that you joined the angels. I cannot believe 6 months have gone by already. As you know so much has happened in these last months. Abbygayle is now with you and Eli, and I know she is in very good paws.

The weather has turned warmer now, and I miss you sitting by the gate watching me as I go to get the mail and come back to the house to you. I miss you, my precious Angel Bear. Although I can't physically be with you right now please know my heart is with you always, and you are always with me in my heart and thoughts and memories.

Please give Abbygayle and Eli a speical doggie kiss from me, and give my love to my other furkids who are also with you in heaven's perfect garden.

I love you my precious Oslo. I love you.

Always and forever,
Mom

[ladywolf]

Gee, Moon Beam, Oslo and my black lab Poppers passed on right around the same time. Poppers' six-month anniversary is June 13th. I know I rarely say much about Poppers, but that's not because I didn't love her madly. It's just that Ladywolf's cancer took such priority so quickly...

Oslo sure was a handsome, hardworking, dedicated boy. How wonderful that he got to live a life of service, instead of just lying around!

Big hugs--Margi and Wonderwolf

[moon_beam]

Hi, Margi, thank you so much for your comforting thoughts. I too know what you have been going through with having to focus on Ladywolf's health needs so soon after your precious Poppers' passing. I had the same with Abbygayle, for 12 days after Oslo's passing Abbygayle underwent her third and last surgery for recurring malignant tumors on her hip. Although I grieved Oslo's absence I had to put Abbygayle's needs first, and the last three months I have felt like I have been grieving for the both of them, a double-whammy so to speak.

Margi, to borrow, and re-phrase, a quote from the Armed Services, "they also serve who lay around." That's just about all Oslo could do for the last year of his life due to the effects of the Laryngeal Paralysis and degenerative neuropathy in his lower back and hind legs. But he still had a great appetite and enjoyed snuggles, and I did so enjoy stretching out next to him on his bed and just wrapping myself around him, brushing him, loving him.

So, whatever level of actiivity our furkids share with us, they are giving to us their all and all. And we, in turn, give them our all and all. Poppers knows that you love her and miss her. She would not have you grieving for her rather than focusing on Ladywolf's needs. She knows you carry her in your heart and memories, and she is forever with you and Ladywolf in whatever you do and wherever you go.

And she and Oslo are also together - - who knows - - perhaps sharing the sunrises and sunsets together?? He was quite the "ladies' man" during his journey here with me. He used to kiss the women's hands that he visited like in the days of chivalry when gentlemen kissed a woman's hand. Some folks asked me if I was ever jealous of the affection he showed to the people he visited, and I said "no, because I'm the one he sleeps with at night." You should have heard the laughter that comment evoked!

There are so many wonderful memories I have with him, that still bring a misty teart o my eyes and a quiver of the chin, but it is so comforting to be able to share him with you and everyone else on this wonderful forum, for I know I am sharing my heart with kindred spirits.

Thank you again so much, Margi, for your comforting thoughts and comments. They truly mean a lot to me. Please know you and Ladywolf are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam