Hi

[jodi0553]

Hi Cairn Friends,

I've missed you all a lot over the past month. I finally decided to drop by and say hi and see how cairn life is going (See, Brad, this is about cairn life, please don't make me move it to the "dog park"!)

Life without my cairn is hard but we're getting better every day. Thursday would have been Currey's 6th birthday and it was very challenging for me. I'm starting to think of all the good times and smiling through the tears and sometimes even smiling without any tears. He had a short but remarkable life and I'm so lucky I got to share it with him. The last few days at home were a gift that I will never ever forget. I wish Andy had been able to share that gift with me, but I'm still so lucky. His last night, I tried to put him in his doggy bed on my bed and he just wasn't having it. He slept snuggled to my leg, right where he belonged. As many people told me he would, he let me know it was time to go in the morning. Ultimately, he lost his fight with cancer due to liver failure that we just couldn't reverse despite the best medical care imaginable.

That afternoon, when I posted to let you know he was gone, I was sitting in the airport to head to my father in law's funeral. Something remarkable happened at the airport. I got through security and knew I was several hours early, as I had looked online to find that my flight was delayed. I decided to get there on time anyway, since delays aren't always what they appear to be. As I was putting my belongings back together, I looked up and there was an older woman with a beautiful golden retriever. I went over to ask if I could pet her, and it turned out that they were volunteers and the golden was a therapy dog. The woman was a retired science teacher and we talked dogs and science education for a long while. She had lost her previous golden at age 2 to a rapid moving case of cancer and understood exactly what I was going through. It was as though she and her dog were just there, waiting for me. It was amazing.

I know fully that someday I'll be back, posting in "behavior and health" about my frisky uncontrollable cairn puppy. It'll be a while, but I know I won't be able to go for long without a cairn in my life. Currey was my first cairn (I was a westie convert) and there is no chance he will be my last.

[Dempsy's Mom]

Jodi I am glad that you checked in with us - you know that's what the season is about ... reaching out and touching lives and letting others touch yours. Oh, I am so sorry about little Currey. I know that your heart is heavy and I am glad to hear that we will be hearing from you right after you make the decision to let another little devil of a Cairn in your life. And what a lucky puppy they will be. Yup, I would say that the lady at the airport was put there to help you - a great Christmas story - thanks for sharing it. God bless.

[Lynn in TN]

I loved reading your story, very beautiful. I would also say the Lady and her Golden were there for you. I hope you can find some peace soon and adopt another Cairn soon. I can't wait for that announcement to make it to the forum. It seems to me that Love heals pain better than anything else. Thank you for checking in with us, as I have been thinking of you and wondering how you were doing. Thank for sharing your story. Take care and God Bless!

[josie&holly]

Thank you for sharing your story and checking in with us. I have been thinking about you. It was good that you met that lady and was able to chat - she may have a therapy dog but that talk would have been therapy for you.

[Tuesday]

Thank you for dropping in Jodi. I can't tell you how many times over the last month that I have thought of you, and have hoped you are healing. What an awesome time for you to spend at the airport with the volunteer and her dog; definitely what you needed.

My Christmas wish for you is to continue healing through time and happy memories. And I am so glad to know you will be back with us again!

[Idaho Cairns]

Jodi, for me the only cure for the lingering pain of losing a Cairn has been a new puppy. I hope you follow up on your desire to own another Cairn. I appreciate the update as I have been thinking about your dual tragedy last month. Please do stay in touch--you have much to offer all of us.

[remltr]

Jodi,

You have made a grown man smile and cry at the same time. I know each and every one of us was rooting for Currey to make it through and heartbroken when he passed. Hang in there. I am sure Currey will be there in spirit to help you and Andy to pick out your next Cairn just as he sent you the lady with her retriever at the airport. He is watching out for you. All the best to you and Andy.

[tlwtheq]

Hi Cairn Friends,

I've missed you all a lot over the past month. I finally decided to drop by and say hi and see how cairn life is going (See, Brad, this is about cairn life, please don't make me move it to the "dog park"!)

Life without my cairn is hard but we're getting better every day. Thursday would have been Currey's 6th birthday and it was very challenging for me. I'm starting to think of all the good times and smiling through the tears and sometimes even smiling without any tears. He had a short but remarkable life and I'm so lucky I got to share it with him. The last few days at home were a gift that I will never ever forget. I wish Andy had been able to share that gift with me, but I'm still so lucky. His last night, I tried to put him in his doggy bed on my bed and he just wasn't having it. He slept snuggled to my leg, right where he belonged. As many people told me he would, he let me know it was time to go in the morning. Ultimately, he lost his fight with cancer due to liver failure that we just couldn't reverse despite the best medical care imaginable.

That afternoon, when I posted to let you know he was gone, I was sitting in the airport to head to my father in law's funeral. Something remarkable happened at the airport. I got through security and knew I was several hours early, as I had looked online to find that my flight was delayed. I decided to get there on time anyway, since delays aren't always what they appear to be. As I was putting my belongings back together, I looked up and there was an older woman with a beautiful golden retriever. I went over to ask if I could pet her, and it turned out that they were volunteers and the golden was a therapy dog. The woman was a retired science teacher and we talked dogs and science education for a long while. She had lost her previous golden at age 2 to a rapid moving case of cancer and understood exactly what I was going through. It was as though she and her dog were just there, waiting for me. It was amazing.

I know fully that someday I'll be back, posting in "behavior and health" about my frisky uncontrollable cairn puppy. It'll be a while, but I know I won't be able to go for long without a cairn in my life. Currey was my first cairn (I was a westie convert) and there is no chance he will be my last.

Jodi,My heart is with you. My God it's so hard to lose one of these wonderful Cairns...in my case any non-human who graces my life. I'm happy for your airport experience. As you know, we'll always be here for you. Tara and the Gang

[hheldorfer]

It's wonderful to hear from you and to know that you're healing a little more each day. For me, the Christmas season has always been a time to reconnect with friends and to share stories of our triumphs and our losses. You are a friend that we all cherish; we felt your loss deeply and are elated that you are able to smile again.

When you're ready for another beautiful Cairn pup we'll all be here to listen to your stories and ooh and aah over the pictures.

Peace to you.

Helene

[Kathryn]

Hi Jodi - thanks so much for checking in because I, like so many others here, have been wondering how you are doing. Just as you will never forget Currey, neither will I. His spirit and courage were incredible, and a true credit to his breed.

I hope you and your husband and family can find a way to have a good holiday season. Keep those warm memories of Currey around you, giving you comfort that though it was not long enough (and it is never long enough) -- you had such a great dog.

[tomatosandwich]

Hi Jodi. It's wonderful to hear from you! Your airport story warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I'm glad you had that understanding comfort when you needed it the most! I wish you healing and happiness in the coming New Year.

[bradl]

Thank you for checking in ... sure been thinking of you guys a lot.

[BetsyNoodle]

Jodi,

You, Andy and Currey have been in my thoughts, so it was so good to see that you had posted. Your story of what transpired at the airport brought tears to my eyes. I can't help but believe that your beloved Currey was indeed watching over you and 'had a paw' in you meeting the lady and her therapy dog. It also warms my heart to know that Currey spent his last night sleeping snuggled against you, feeling so secure and loved.

I will never forget him and his gallant fight.

Exactly three weeks after my sweet Min Pin, Ralphie, passed in 2008, I adopted my Cairn, Murphy, from a rescue organization located almost five hours away. On the drive back home, Murphy gazed deeply into my eyes with a calm intensity that let me know he was going to help heal my heart. And, he has.

I sometimes volunteer as a pet loss counselor. In the immediate aftermath of a loss, many individuals tell me that their hearts are closed to another pet--that they've lost their 'heart dog'. I always tell them what Murphy has taught me is that the heart has many rooms.

So, I have no doubt that when the time is right another Cairn will bring joy back into your heart and home.

Wishing you and Andy continued healing and hope. God bless.

[pindrop]

Hi Jodi ...So nice to hear from you again. Thank you for sharing the story of the woman at the airport. I do know we were all concerned about you and Andy when you flew out for the funeral and were hoping we would hear from you again. We were all so involved in your life at the time, it was difficult for us as well to resume normal postings after your loss of Currey. It just goes to show that although we will probably never meet anyone here, that doesn't mean we don't get to know each other. I do so hope that one day you will consider another little furball as I too know how empty the house can be. Hoping you and yours have a nice holiday season.

[pkcrossley]

Hi Jodi, as you can see we are thrilled that you came back to see us, and that you are getting along so well. I know what you mean about the gift of your special time with Currey, and I hope that with time you will perfect the skill of remembering the good (which is all true) and forgetting the bad (which in some fundamental way is not true). Thanks to you, Currey had a big life, and was loved by people all over the world. You all did brilliantly, and you deserve more fun and love with another very lucky little person when you are ready.

[oscar's mom]

Jodi it's good to hear from you. Glad your in the space of thinking about the funny antics of your beloved Currey. Sending you warm heart felt thoughts.

[TazTalk]

Hi Jodi,

I hope that Currey's wonderful spirit can bring you love and light during the coming holiday weeks. It sounds like he has already been a dear angel watchdog ~ looking out for you at the airport that day.

When we lost our first Cairn Bandit we planned to wait awhile to bring another dog in. 3 weeks later there was a local ad for Cairn puppies. A rare thing. We went "just to look". Well Taz stood up in the beg position and that was it. He came home with us that day. I felt it was meant to be. You will know when the time is right.

Thank you for checking in. I wish the best for you and your family.

Adrienne

[lindasue]

I hear puppy footsteps coming your way...

[Sam I Am]

HI Jodi,

I am so glad you connected with us all. We were all with you in spirit when Currey left his earthly ties and he could not have had a more caring and loving family as yours. Let time heal your loss and when the time is right a new little spirit of a Cairn or another furry angel will come into your life.

Take care

Lynn & Jock

[kjwarnold]

Merry Christmas to you, Jodi. Your Cairn friends are thinking of you and your new little angel, Currey, is watching over you.

[Hawkeye]

So glad to hear from you Jodi, we have all been thinking of you and your family. Thank you for sharing that wonderful airport story. I hope it won't be long before we will be reading puppy announcements from you. They truly can heal a broken heart.