On my walk with Joni a while ago I took this as I loved the gentle bowing of the Queen Anne’s Lace heads at the end of the season and their soft tones and colours against the late summer grasses. Now it seems that we are having to say goodbye in a different way.
Joni, our 13 year old border collie that some here will know as my faithful companion on my photo walks and from our many photographs of her, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour 6 weeks ago and so we know that our time with her is coming to an end. It is becoming more apparent that it is progressing now, sadly.
I will miss her loving companionship and faithfulness more than I can say. I am (we both are) spending as much time as I can with her these days, getting my work done too, so I have not had as much time to spend with my G+ friends. Hold on to the special moments with your animal companions. They will be the warm memories that will stay with you long after the pain of loss has dimmed.
Yes I did Ellie, quite beautiful, which led me to find this post
You bring a lump to my throat, Loraine. Always were good with words (in joke). +Loraine Slessor Thank you old friend. BTW did you get a look at Joni with her babyhood friend (Aura) posting?
I dislike communities, they killed interaction and I only joined the photo one for a bit of fun. You're not missing much! I don't post very often, I am more of an intermittent observer.
I genuinely understand what you are going through with Joni. I think we talk about Poppy nearly every day, but always with laughter, never with sadness. But this time of waiting and knowing is just horrible and my heart goes out to you both.
Thank you for that kind comment Loraine. I have thought of you many times this last period with Joni. There is no doubt that the vet is right, but she is hanging on and refusing to give up, as you know a border collie would. She recovers in between seizures, though I can see it takes a toll (on us as well, of course).
By the way, I have you in my 'notify' circle so that I can get to see everything you post, but didn't realize that you were posting at all until I went to your profile. I don't get notified of your community postings because, although they are public, they don't count as I am not in those communities. Shame. (Not a fan of communities for that reason. My stream is the poorer since they started.) And I can't comment on them, either, of course.
+Loraine Slessor
Just catching up. So sad +Ellie Kennard. This is the hardest time, but I know from experience that once the grief has eased, you will remember her with a smile and not a tear. My thoughts are with you.
Oh I hope so +Micha Fire – vets have been wrong…..
+Ellie Kennard =))
You get a few more happy months ………………….. or years
Thanks +Deborah Green – and now since her last seizure she seems back to normal. We just hope that she has no more for a long time.
+Ellie Kennard I'm so sorry to hear this about your beloved Joni. It's such a hard thing to do when the time comes but sweet memories of her, as you say, will go on longer after you're parted from her.
Thanks +Tanya Stollznow
Well said +Ellie Kennard Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much +Heiko Mahr – you remember my friend Joni from my mentioning her on the mentorship, I am sure. The hardest thing is that when she has recovered from the seizures she has, she looks and behaves as though nothing is wrong. It's so sad to know that something horrible is happening to her inside. But good to understand that she does not anticipate, does not fear, only knows 'happy'. And between seizures she is happy. We are the sad ones.
You brought some tears in my eyes +Ellie Kennard
So sorry to hear about that…
Enjoy every moment with her.. that is such a valuable time
Thank you so much +Rekha Rao – I know that you followed Joni and I on our 366 progress last year. Fortunately she is not aware of any problems and when she has seizures she is completely oblivious. It is harder for us than for her. We won't allow her to suffer. Just have to know the time.
+Marilou Aballe – I very much appreciate your kindness. Thank you. They are our family. The good times will balance these hard ones in the future memories we have.
Lovely capture and it portrays sadness. Feeling your imminent loss +Ellie Kennard. Our pets are part of our families and it's always sad to see them go.
Thank you for you kind words +Rekha Rao
Sad to hear about Joni, +Ellie Kennard . She has become part of us, the G+ readers of your posts.
I wish strength to you and +Steven Kennard , in Joni's rest of the journey and I wish Joni the easy and painless path ahead.
Thanks so much Donna
+Donna McClure
Wonderful pictures. Thank you. I am sorry your faithful Joni will be leaving you. Take care. Saying good bye is never easy.
Thank you +Andreas Fiedler and thanks for going through the album!
Thanks Andy. Much appreciated. +Andrew Westbury
+Micha Fire – thanks for the hug. I for sure am holding on to that time. Hug back to you.
my dog had to be put to sleep 2 years ago (hug) +Ellie Kennard enjoy the time you have with yours
Thanks for your kindness Karen. It is much appreciated.
+Karen Cooper
Such sad news and a lovely picture as tribute to a special friend.
Thank you +Pam Wolfe – our cats and Joni are our family. So certainly they are all well loved.
Wonderful tribute to your precious Joni. I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I know you have given her a wonderful life and she has been well loved. +Ellie Kennard
Thank you +Sumit Sen
I am sure Joni had the most wonderful 13 years. This is a lovely tribute!
Thanks +Lee Carroll – we have said goodbye to so many, as you say unique and special ones.
Thank you +Billy Tan Tan
Beautiful
Thank you +Marc Briggs. We can indeed.
So sorry to hear about your dear Joni. Pets offer us so much unconditional love and dedication. We can all take a lesson in love from them.