Sipping tea in dog heaven

On September 18, 2009, at 11:19 PM, my mother, Kathleen McKenzie passed away after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer. The last months of her life were far from peaceful, and she suffered a great deal. That suffering was compounded when, on August 7, we lost our last deerhound, Rebel, at the age of 10 and a half. It was the first time in nearly 30 years we'd been without a Scottish Deerhound, and my mom was bereft.



On Tuesday, September 8, she received some very special visitors. Cecilia Arnold of Gwent Scottish Deerhounds, who bred our very first deerhound, Tim, paid her a visit with two of Timmy's distant relatives in tow.







That visit was the definition of joy for my mom. She dissolved in tears when she saw the dogs, and didn't stop smiling until they'd been gone for hours. That night she told me that being with those deerhounds had opened her heart to joy for the first time in months. Even though her arms were swollen and writing was hard, she shakily hand-wrote a note to Cecilia thanking her. That visit gave my mom new heart, but sadly, the very next day, her femur shattered from a tumor and in just over a week, she died in the hospital.



I will always be filled with gratitude to Cecilia not only for bringing our first beloved deerhound into our lives so long ago, but for giving my mom so much happiness, and giving me such a perfect memory. Beginning to end, Cecilia, you were there. I'll never forget you for that.



And I will never, ever forget you, mama. I imagine you very happy right now, surrounded by all your hounds and loved ones, sipping tea in dog heaven.

Comments

[Alison]

(through tears) You'll treasure that picture forever.

I feel for you and your family.

Kathleen McKenzie, I'm glad you're now free from pain. Rebel paved the way for you.

[FrogDogz]

Our thoughts are with all of you right now. I can't imagine how hard all of this must be.



Hugs, from Carol and the Frenchies

[KateH]

Christie, while this ending time with your mother and Rebel was not the best, you had a loving relationship with her, which is a blessing. My mom and I did not have such a good relationship, but at least she was instrumental in instilling a love for dogs that I will always be grateful for. It's wonderful that you could share such a great gift as a dog's love with her.

[Lisa]

What a wonderful picture, Christie. Good that she had that visit; good that you have that image. Remember her that way: smiling, flanked by deerhounds.



Lisa in Cape May County, NJ

[The Other Lori]

Christie you are in my thoughts. It's wonderful that a simple visit from a few good friends were able to give your mom such happiness. May those be the kinds of memories that you hold on to.

[Eliblu]

I'm so sorry for your loss. When my father passed away, it helped me to think about the positive intangibles he bequeathed to me through his example. Clearly your mother has given and will continue to give you so much love by exemplifying her love for animals.

[keenwell]

Such sad news. It is wonderful that she had that visit with the dogs. And it is wonderful that she had you as her advocate, Christie. You gave it your all. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[VJ]

Sharing tears with you Christie. I miss my mother

every single moment as well as all my beloved pets.

[Dr. Tony Johnson]

Christie - I am very sorry for your loss. This has been such a trying time for everyone here. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Susan]

Your post also moved me to tears, Christie, for so many reasons. I hope your mom and Rebel are having a joyful reunion. I love the idea of her "sipping tea in dog heaven."

[Gina Spadafori]

Moving beyond believe. The picture ... oh! I'm so sorry, and I am so happy that she got to see some friends before she died.

[Barb Heidenreich Richard Hawkins]

Christie,

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. What a beautiful picture. Thank you Cecilia for giving us all so much joy! Christie, our Gwent's Trefor O'Fern Hill, who really started it all for Fernhill thirty years ago is there waiting for your Mum as well...Barb

[Leslie K]

I'm so glad you have this happy memory of a really good day for your Mom in the middle of bad times. Take care of yourself !

[Colorado Transplant]

I know you will miss your mother terribly, but the pain you mother was suffering is gone now.



I am so glad that your mother had a good lift from seeing Cecilia and the deerhounds.



Take care of yourself, Christie, even in your sadness. Life seems so short to me for people and animals--and we must make the most of the time we are allotted.

[Kim Thornton]

I'm so sorry. Jerry and I are thinking of you.

[Liz Palika]

I know the past few months have been hard for you, Christie. I lost my Dad last December from a difficult cancer.



However, what a wonderful memory - that day when a friend and her dogs made your Mom smile! And what a treasured photo.



The kindness of friends and love of good dogs.

[Ingrid King]

Your post moved me to tears. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that in time, memories like this one will ease the pain of missing your mother.

[Susan]

Dogs always know. They know when they are needed. I'm frequently hard pressed to explain why we are considered a higher life form than they are. Definitions, I guess. Mine give more joy any day than all the humans I encounter put together.



I am glad you have a good memory to hold close from these difficult days.

[The OTHER Pat]

They are true miracle workers, these canine companions of our hearts. How wonderful that your mother's load was lightened for a time by that special visit.



Holding you in my thoughts.

[Anne T]

Kathleen, I hope you are at peace among your beloved dogs, and sipping tea in Dog Heaven. That is such a wonderful image.I hope that you Christie, find some peace too as you and she went through a heroic struggle with her cancer. Who knows, maybe my mother greeted yours with a warm welcome to another gallant, fabulous womanspirit?!

[mary francis]

I am sorry for what must be a tremendous loss -my sincere sympathy to you and your family in this sad time.

[Original Lori]

I'm so sorry. Don't let anyone try to tell you how you are supposed to feel or grieve. Take all the time you need. Remember you are so loved...from here and There.

[Smaki]

Christie, I'm so very sorry for your loss. That is a lovely picture of your mother with the dogs. I hope that your memories of her soothe you in this awful time.

[Maria G]

Christie, I am in shock. I'm so sorry to learn the news of your dear mother. Last time I saw your mom she was spryly walking two or three deerhounds. She lived around the corner from us in the Sunset district. That was years ago, but I could never picture her without those dogs. I'm sure they were there to help take her through, and guide her around until she adjusted. What a beautiful piece you wrote...

[Debra]

I can't imagine you without Deerhounds or your mom. My heart is so sad for you, but you are so strong you have inspired me for many years. I know your mother was so proud of you. Thinking of you and sending all the glow I can.

[kb]

Sending my condolences through tears. May your wonderful memories bring you and your family some comfort at this time. Rebel and your mom are enjoying tea together and sending you their love.

[2CatMom]

Christie: I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I picture her and Rebel having a great old time in Heaven where they can run and play without any pain. God bless.