Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2009, after we found out about Mattie's terminal diagnosis. As you can see Mattie was wearing oxygen at that point and was also attached to a pain pump 24/7. Yet despite that horror, he was at the art table in clinic playing. On Mattie's right was Jenny, one of his art therapists, and an incredible support to our family. On Mattie's left was Jocelyn. Jocelyn was a big Mattie supporter and a fellow osteosarcoma patient. Jocelyn met Mattie by happenstance early on in his treatment process. Once she found out Mattie had the same cancer as she did, she took him under her wing. Mattie truly related to Jocelyn, trusted her, and felt that she understood what he was dealing with. It is a tragedy that both Mattie and Jocelyn lost their battles with osteosarcoma. Neither one of them will ever be forgotten as they both were super smart, engaging, and full of life.
Quote of the day: You can do anything in this world if you are prepared to take the consequences. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
I love tonight's quote because it applies to SO many things. But in this particular case I am furthering to my desire to rescue a cat and a dog. Rescuing a pet that comes with a questionable past can produce uncertainty and fear. I know I have been wondering whether I could handle this new obligation. After all, we have been without a child for six years and without Patches our calico cat for three years. But I did not make this decision lightly, I thought about it for several months.
Then an opportunity came to get Indie, our tortoise shell cat, in July and it worked out wonderfully. She is filling up our home and our lives. Last night I received an email from the rescue shelter about a Sunny, the border collie mix, and his status. Sunny is NOW in DC, he was transported here from South Carolina. Sunny hasn't had an easy life, was abandoned and living in a kill shelter, where they kill 90% of more of dogs that aren't adopted. Because I am heading to Los Angeles tomorrow, I did not want Sunny to come into our home until I got back. Peter works full time and Sunny needs a companion by day until he gets used to us and our routine. So while I am away, Sunny is staying with a foster parent in DC. I have already been in communication with Leah.
1 comment:
Vicki,
Sunny does look sad. That is so hard to see yet I imagine a scenario where you post a photo months from now. This photo will be a happy one because he will have had time to get your love and will respond. Like Indie, it is a matter of time until they both crawl onto your heart!!! He is a beautiful dog.
It is always a surreal picture and sad realization that these young, smiling faces are gone from this earth and their families forever..
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