at direct connection has particular meaning for us since we've developed "Healing the Heart" Memorial Keepsake Frames.  The passion we have for our own dogs motivates us to reach out to other animal lovers who are facing the loss of their companions.  It's through this website we hope we can offer something meaningful to you or those you wish to comfort.

We recently experienced our own encounter with trauma of pet loss.  In this case it seems we've been lucky to have a reprieve. Our 12 year old Border Collie, Dixie (shown above), became seriously lame in her back legs... first one and then the other... without any apparent injury. 

The next ten days took us on a roller coaster of emotional ups and downs trying to diagnose the problem and make the right decisions.  We agonized as we watched this independent stoic spirit struggle to stand when she couldn't.  We had to come to terms with the fact that we were losing her.  We couldn't prolong her suffering if there could be no reasonably good outcome. Each day we carried that deep anguish in the pit of our stomachs.  When and how would we make the right decision? 

This experience surely heightened our awareness of the pain each of our customers must be feeling.  So now, as we prepare our shipments, there is a a deepened sensitivity to the reality of why we are here and what we hope to provide to others who are coping with pet loss.

Update on Dixie (5/02/08)
We are fortunate to still have Dixie with us.  Her hypercalcemia was being caused by a parathyroid tumor. She had surgery to remove the tumor and careful follow up of her blood calcium. She goes back for a checkup and blood test on Monday to see if her system has begun to produce the appropriate amount of hormone for a normal Calcium level. We are so grateful every day to look into her bright eyes.

Update on Dixie (12/22/08)
Dixie has had an eventful year but she is doing just great.  Shortly after her recovery from the tumor surgery she had a frightening pancreatitis attack.  She had to be hospitalized and treated with IV fluids for several days.  She recovered but now requires a very strict diet.  We're also tracking her triglycerides which seem to be high.  She's on a new medication and hopefully an upcoming blood test will reveal that it is back in the normal range.  It's wonderful to have her feeling good again... perky, happy and always ravenous.

Update ... Living with Loss
 After several good months, Dixie was diagnosed with a mass in her liver, and our vet estimated she had about 6 months left. She did really well, with no obvious symptons.  She passed the 6 months and we felt we'd dodged yet another bullet.

In the meantime, cold reality slapped us in the face. Over a July weekend we've been thrust into a time warp of life and death.  Unexpectedly on Saturday, we lost Harry, our beautiful German Shepherd.  Though he was an old man who had his issues, we just assumed he would out live Dixie... given all her problems.  It was not to be and we miss him so much.  He had such a big presence in our lives (besides his size)... a hugger, a lover, a wus, needy and kind and with a special bond to Michael.  Inseparable, they were.

In the fall, Dixie's regular exam turned up an anal sac tumor which had advanced somewhat.  We agreed with our vet that no treatment was viable for her at 13 so we decided to make every day her best as long as we could.  She did mostly fine through the winter.  She made the post office run with me each day... making a stop in the park for a short walk to catch up on smells.  She enjoyed the outing and willingly put up with being lifted in and out of the jeep.  Finally in late April, life just seemed too hard for her and, with heavy hearts, we decided to say good bye... and so now, both Harry and Dixie await at the Rainbow Bridge.