Chance came into my life Thanksgiving time 1997 and gave me a lifetime of reasons to be thankful. The last of the litter, left behind by those who had picked through the pups before me, yet I know there was no better pick. I named her Chance because I was bringing her home to be a companion to my cherished Bailey and had no idea if the "chance" I was taking would go well, but they quickly became fast friends and the three of us became a family.
Our family time together was short lived as Bailey died an untimely death a few months later. My heart was broken, but I looked into Chance's beautiful brown eyes, held her soft fuzzy muzzle in my hands, and found the strength to move forward. Together we missed Bailey, and together we healed as much as one can after such a loss.
After a year of adjustment, it was time to find a new companion for Chance, and so, Tucker joined our family. That first day, a tiny 6 week old Lab puppy chased a fearful giant German Shepherd around the dining room table and I thought we were in for a long road; but within 15 minutes the chasing became a game, and right before my eyes, Chance blossomed into a Mom, tolerating the teething little terror who now pounced on her head and pulled at her ears. She showed the patience of a saint and gently raised the little pup with gentle nudges and nibbles of love. The two dogs became inseparable for all the years we were granted of Chance's life.
Chance was such a special soul. She was regal and dignified, yet retained the playfulness of a puppy her entire life. I will always remember her leaping in the air to catch her football, burying her toys in the snow in front of me as I tried to shovel so I would play with her, and the two of us playing her favorite game of chase from room to room throughout the house. She and I had a soulful connection beyond what I have shared with my other dogs, and her allegiance to me was unquestionable.
It was like there was a palpable physical cord between us and neither of us was at peace when any circumstance kept us apart. She would comfort me in difficult times by lying by my side with her head gently resting on my leg. She always made me laugh with her playful antics, and she forever amazed me with her intuition and intelligence. She had a commanding appearance, her size and dark coloring often giving strangers pause, but she was as gentle as a lamb and always greeted everyone with love and kisses. She was brave and yet vulnerable, and never too proud to seek the comfort of Mom's embrace and quiet song when winds blew strong or thunder roared.
When our time together was coming to its end, she fought beyond what was comfortable for her to stay by my side, and I returned that love by letting her go. The cord that bound us in life is now stretched between two worlds, but it is no less palpable. My many memories, her final kisses, volumes of photos, and special keepsakes help to patch the hole in my heart, and I take comfort in knowing that she is at peace and out of pain. Tucker and I will always miss our Angel Chance, but we are grateful for the time we shared together as a family and we will honor Chance's life and memory with our eternal love.
In honor of Misty
The story of Misty
Misty was a beautiful gray canary that came into our lives quite by accident. While shopping for dog food, we heard the most beautiful singing coming from the back of the store. We investigated and found one lone grayish/white canary singing away in his cage - thus the name "Misty". The picture above is not Misty, unfortunately we did not take any pictures as he wasn't with us very long. Had we known more about birds, we would have known that it was not a good sign Misty had not yet found a home by season's end. But moved by his virtuoso performance and sweet spirit, we brought him home with us.
Misty lived in a large cage in the alcove of a warm, sunny kitchen window. During the day, he would watch the birds that came to feeders just outside and soon made friends with the finches and chickadees that curiously watched their brother. He would break into the clearest, strongest song at the drop of a hat, especially when we played Bach. He seemed to respond to the flutes in the higher ranges and easily outdid the master composer with the magnificent trills he inserted between notes!
Misty developed feather cysts which did not respond to treatment. He bravely endured the interventions in attempts to save his life and prevent future occurrences. But recovery was not to be. Misty died within two years of gracing our lives with his song, but his sweetness and ready music will never be forgotten.
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