Sunday, February 14, 2010

Sweet Simone

We had to say good-bye to our sweet Simone on Friday morning. Simone was around 13-16 years of age. We don't know her exact age because she was a rescue dog found wandering the streets. I used to volunteer with a local Golden Retriever rescue group and they freed her from the shelter. She became our very first foster dog. I knew from the moment I met her that she was meant to be our forever dog. We quickly signed her adoptions papers to secure her as our furry daughter. (I was cut off from fostering for several months after her adoption because Dale was scared I would adopt every dog that came into our home).

Simone fit into our family perfectly and was one of the only dogs that our first Golden, Dakota, every really liked or accepted as family. Dakota tolerated other foster dogs that came into our home but she actually seemed to really love and enjoy Simone's company. I don't think Dakota had much of a choice because Simone was just too sugary sweet.

We don't know what Simone's life was like before she came into rescue. What we do know is that over the past seven years she loved us well. We only hope that the years she spent as our family were the happiest part of her life.

Simone was a naturally laid back and happy dog. She always had a huge smile on her face.

Look at that smile!

The only time she was "upset" was if someone claimed her spot on the couch before she could get there. As her family, we knew better. Company to our house had to learn not to sit in her spot. Simone would pace around, try to settle in other places, huff her discontent and give the "eye" until the person moved for her.

Simone was a wonderful foster sissy to ten other dogs that came through our house as fosters before Ashley was born. She always welcomed the dogs with kisses and mediated Dakota's bossiness towards the newcomers. In the earlier years, she even romped with the puppies. As her legs and hips got achier, she would just lay on the floor with her foster siblings and play kissy face.

In the picture below, it shows Simone's sweet patience with even the peskiest of foster dogs. This was Freesia - one of our last fosters. Freesia was a handful and Simone stayed sweetly calm with her even when Freesia was sitting on her.

In August 2008, Dakota passed leaving Simone as our only dog. I think over the last year and a half she enjoyed the extra attention of being an only dog.

Ashley and Simone developed a sweet little relationship.

Ashley loved her doggie!

Christmas 2008

Over the past several months we knew that old age was taking a toll on Simone's body. She became less and less active and mobile. Many nights, Dale would have to carry her up the stairs to be with the family.

Our one request of her was that she just hold on to meet Gracie...and she did!

There will never be another dog like Simone. She was an especially sweet and beautiful soul. She was a rarity in that she seemed happy just to "be". I loved that about her. She gave love unconditionally without asking for anything in return. (well, just don't sit in her spot - that was really the only thing she asked for).


Last Friday night, Simone couldn't walk or even stand - she would collapse when she tried. Dale took her to the emergency vet and they informed him that many old dogs get dizzy spells that work themselves out within 48hours. But by Monday she wasn't better. Dale took her to our regular vet and brought home IVs to administer three times a day to keep her hydrated since she had stopped drinking water. we started to fear it was something more serious but held out hope it was just the dizzy spell. Dale was so awesome all week. He carried her up and down the stairs several times a day, carried her outside and supported her so she could go potty (even in frigid temperatures), gave her IVs three times a day and tried hand feeding her. On Friday she wasn't better but worse. We felt as though we were keeping her on life support all week. I called and scheduled another appointment.

Before Dale took her to the vet, Ashley and I said our good-byes . I knew as I lay next to her caressing her ears, and kissing her nose and forehead that I was saying my final good-bye.

Simone passed Friday morning at the vet with Dale by her side. He said she gave a final smile letting him know she was happy.

We hope she found Dakota at Rainbow Bridge and that the two are playing, running and chasing squirrels. We hope that her achy body no longer hurts. (We also hope Dakota isn't bossing her around too much). I hope she can finally do her happy dance/spin that she did in her early days. Seriously, it was cute. She would hop around in a spin when she would get excited. I love picturing her spinning in a field of flowers with the sun shining on her back.

Friday night we went out to eat as a family to celebrate Simone’s life. Dale and I found comfort in telling Ashley Simone stories - like how she came to be a part of our family. I love that during a time of sorrow, peace can be found through precious memories.

We love you, Momos!!!!! Forever is your pawprint on our hearts!