Brighter days ahead

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a bright and cold morning but warm days on the way this week. It's a time of year that I find so uplifting, more so now. At around 4 am for the past few weeks, we've been hearing the Cardinal mating call, one of the sweetest Spring sounds. 

Our days are slowly getting a little brighter. We are gradually learning to live with the emptiness that Cooper and Spicy have left behind but the pain is still there, every day. The tears are still flowing. Some days are better than others, it's hard to explain. We miss them all the time, there is not much more to say. They were our whole life 💔

This past week was a bit busy. On Tuesday, Wanda came over for a visit. She is helping us find a good place, be it a home or rescue, for the many beautiful things that our pooches had. It does our heart good to know this and we are grateful for her help. On Wednesday, I went to Eveline and Macey's house for coffee. Macey and Cooper were training buddies in our Fun Obedience Classes. Macey is a sweet Havanese. I gave her a snuggle but that's about all I could handle. It was hard. 

We are often asked if we will get another dog one day. The answer is "maybe" but it is much too soon for us to even think about it. We're just not ready. 

Russell and I both had a pedicure last week...a little bit of self care is always good for the soul. I normally don't get polish in the Winter months but I needed some colour on my toes. The weather was such that I was able to walk out of the salon with my flip flops, even better.

Our daily routine has changed and we are filling our days doing different things. We've been going for walks. I've been cooking a little more. I reorganized some of the kitchen cupboards. Tomorrow, I will resume my workouts. It's time. 

That's my blog for today. My brother is coming for lunch. It will be nice to see him again. On Wednesday, we're having lunch with Pauline.....we will talk trips. I leave you with two "throwback Sunday" photos. Have a great week everyone!

Cooper and Spicy were always ready to perform
for a treat...Russell and I were always
willing to indulge. 
February 24, 2018

Spicy and Cooper were ever ready 
to take to the trail...this time it 
was at Morgan Arboretum.
February 3, 2018

Back where they belong

Happy Sunday everyone! We are getting a little bit of snow at the moment, not much is expected. Russell and I were having a chuckle the other day about wishing for the biggest snowstorm, knowing I wouldn't have to shovel paths for our pooches.....it was only a chuckle as I would give anything to do it again for them. We miss seeing their little paw prints in the snow 💔

This past week was filled with waves of intense sadness. The pain of losing Cooper and Spicy is still raw but we know that time will turn our tears into smiles and warm memories. Yesterday, Dr. Mold brought them home with framed nose prints and all and that is giving us some sort of closure.  Our Coop and our Spice girl have a special place on our hallway hutch. We bought a digital photo frame which is filled with hundreds of their photos.  They will always be in our hearts. Their loss will be forever felt 💕

The heartfelt messages we've been getting from friends and neighbours have been overwhelming. We received a poignant note from Dr. Javard who looked after our Cooper for the past few years. We also received a beautiful card from Dr. Stiles and her team. Each wrote a little message that was so touching. Our pooches were loved by everyone who knew them. 

This past week also brought a birthday for Russell. It was a bittersweet day but we had a lovely time in Montreal despite the fact that the city is quite dead on Mondays ... we made our own noise. We were back home the next day at 9 am. Not much sleeping in for us. I still wake up, and get up, at 5:30 am, which is the time Coop got his first pill. 

I spent a good part of the week sorting through the MANY things that Cooper and Spicy had...beds, blankets, toys, treats, etc. I was always so afraid to run out of anything that I would buy two or three of everything.  We are keeping some of their favorite things such as Cooper's lamb chop, Spicy's fave blanket. I set aside a few items for some friends. On Tuesday, Wanda will come over and will help us with the donations to various shelters, rescues. It will do our hearts good to know that some items will go to those who need it the most. 

We are now empty nesters after sharing the past 12 years of our lives with Cooper and the past 7 years with Spicy. Their loss is life changing for us. We are slowly getting into a new routine. Our appetites haven't been the best and I haven't felt like cooking much although today I will make a roasted butternut squash soup. We are taking each day as it comes, no point in rushing things. Grieving is a process. We are blessed to have each other to lean on. 

That is today's blog. Moving forward, I will post a couple of old photos of our duo, kind of a "throwback Sunday" thing. Have a great week everyone! For many, it is Family Day. Enjoy!

Our tribute to Cooper and Spicy, nose prints,
paw prints, their ashes and an endless
slide show in a digital photo frame.

A lovely floral arrangement from Valerie and her
Havanese Stella.

A delicious edible arrangement
from Lise, Georges and their
fur-baby Chloe.

A birthday celebration with my 
love...Russell.

 

A beautiful farewell to Cooper and Spicy

Friday, February 9, 2024 - we said our final farewell to our beloved Cooper and Spicy. It was a day of pure love yet such profound sadness. We gave them the beautiful gift of allowing them to pass peacefully, together and surrounded with so much love. They are leaving a void that cannot be described. Our grief is overwhelming. 

The past two weeks were not easy. Cooper's appetite and energy simply weren't there and Spicy was declining in front of our eyes. On Wednesday, we had a two hour in-home consultation with Dr. Katy Mold, from CompassionVet Montreal. We needed guidance and clarity. Although deep inside we already knew this, it became clear that both were at the door step of a potential medical crisis.  They were so fragile. The decision to let them go together was as heartbreaking as it gets but it was the right one. 

Thursday was a day of full pampering, filled with love and whatever tickled their fancy. We took them to the park for one last walk. Our friend Errol joined us. It was a beautiful day. Spicy struggled so I held her in my arms. Cooper sniffed and peed on every tree. Then we sat on a bench and Errol took a photo of us. A wonderful memory of their last walk.

On Friday, we woke up with a profound feeling of impending loss. Despite that, we gave Cooper & Spicy their best morning fun. Cooper had a plate full of ground ham for breakfast. Spicy had some rice, chicken and ground ham. They both devoured their meals. Later in the morning, they enjoyed their snuffle mats filled with little goodies. At 10:30 am, they got their 3 pm crunchy treat. Russell did one last grooming, I did one last top knot. It gave us each some intimate time with both to thank them for being such a huge part of our lives.  Dr. Mold and her assistant Heather arrived at 11:15.

They passed away in the most peaceful and beautiful way, nose to nose. We opted to have their paw prints done in our home. In the end, they were both wrapped in a baby blanket, pink for our girl, blue for our boy. Each were then carefully placed in a doggie bed. Russell and I carried each one in our arms to  Dr. Mold's car and said our final goodbyes. We cannot say enough about the care and love that both Katy and Heather gave us. They are the reason why Cooper & Spicy's passing will forever be remembered both as heart wrenching but also filled with so much compassion. 

We are incredibly at peace with our decision but that doesn't take away the immense sadness that we feel. We have cried a lot in the past few days and the tears will continue to flow. At any moment, we expect to see both in every corner of our home. We have also had some chuckles remembering some of their antics. 

We are leaning on each other in our grief. Our emotional reserve is at its lowest so we need to take care of ourselves. Tomorrow is Russell's birthday. It will be bittersweet. We will go to Montreal for an overnight get away. We hope it will somewhat ease the pain that will be felt on his special day. 

I leave you with the photos of our last walk, their cute little paw prints and flowers given to us by friends to help ease our pain. We are grateful to all who have shown support and sympathy. It really helps. 

Cooper and Spicy gave us some of the best years of our lives, the ultimate unconditional love. In return, we gave them all the love we could possibly give them. We take comfort in that. You are deeply missed sweet little ones. We hope you are both having fun chasing squirrels with the many friends that were waiting for you in doggie heaven. We will always keep you in our hearts and await your return in a few weeks 💕

Spicy cuddled in my arms while Cooper
proudly takes his place on the bench with
Russell on their final walk at Edgewater Park.
Thank you Errol for this photo.

Our good friend Errol was able to share in the 
joy and sorrow on this final stroll. Thank you for
joining us.

Paw prints captured forever.

Lovely flowers in remembrance of
Cooper and Spicy from dear
neighbours Marie & Paul and
Billy the Havanese's mom Cindy

Hello February!

Happy Sunday everyone and welcome February! We're enjoying a nice bright morning.  Looks like we're in for a nice stretch of sunshine this week.

Since the beginning of the year, our weeks have basically been the same....filled with emotions, and many ups and downs. That's just the way it is when you have two pooches who are very sick.  We can't turn the clock back to the days when both their healths were stable. So, we take it one day at a time, not really knowing what the next will bring. 

Spicy continues to decline, bit by bit.  She is much less stable on her legs and has more difficulty chewing. Her appetite is still good though and she gets excited when I'm prepping her food. She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort.

As for Cooper, his appetite is not the best despite removing benazepril, the one medication that might have the least effect on his sick heart and can cause a decrease in appetite. We have the option to remove spironolactone (potassium sparing diuretic) and we may in a day or so. We will see what today brings. Dr. Javard is not concerned that there is something else wrong with him. Our Coop is in the terminal phase of his heart disease. It's a question of not enough blood flow going to his vital organs. At this point, all that our little guy wants to eat is protein, nothing else. If I sneak in some fiber such as rice or potatoes, he walks away. Believe me when I say that we've tried everything. This is not sustainable long term. 

Despite their failing health, Russell carries on with their daily grooming. With Cooper, it's pretty much the same routine. With Spicy, it's a little more challenging given her wobbliness. Her mouth is also too crooked for teeth brushing. Russell is ever so gentle in grooming her. When he looks into both their eyes, he tears up, so do I 💔 

There's not much else going on with us. Yesterday afternoon, we watched the NHL All Star game. It was fun, entertaining and a nice distraction. 

That's my blog for today. I only have three photos that Russell took, all taken at the same time outside. I wish you all a wonderful week. 

A chilly day catching some early
morning sunshine.

Looking forward or backward they have it
covered.

Joined at the hip - they are as one.