Ivory's Goodbye Letter:

Hi,

My name is Ivory. I recently passed away after a short battle with cancer. I just turned 11 years old. I was born July 20th 1996 (I shared the same birthday with my human dad). I was a beautiful blonde girl. In fact, my nickname was Normal Jean. I was given that name because of my beautiful, soft blonde hair and my swing that wouldn’t quit. I had a great life. My family loved me very much. So did all my friends.

My mom and dad tried very hard to treat my cancer and save my life. First they took me to see Dr. Trimble at Village Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Trimble has been caring for me since I was a puppy. She was not able to treat my cancer and suggested I go to WSU Veterinary Hospital. There we met Dr Tripp. I got my own bed at the Holiday Inn Express in Pullman. When I wasn’t feeling well my mom and dad used the baggage cart to take me from our room to the van so I could go visit Dr. Tripp. That baggage cart was fun! The friendly folks from Pullman even stopped by to visit and prayed for me when I wasn’t feeling well. Everyone prayed for me. I felt so special. I am certain their prayers made me feel better. In June I was diagnosed cancer free.

Dr. Trimble and Dr. Tripp saved my life. For that, I am very grateful. I learned how important I was to my family. I got to do many wonderful things. First of all I got to meet Dr. Chelsea Tripp. She is a great oncologist at WSU Veterinary Hospital. Boy, am I going to miss her Purina snacks. I swear, one time those snacks saved my life. I’m thankful for the special times my family had together while treating my cancer. My new brother and sister needed time with an experienced, older dog like me. They’ll be fine now. I trained them well. I learned from the best. My big brother Carbon was the greatest dog that ever lived. He taught me that, sometimes, doing what you want is worth getting into trouble over. My older sister Pinot taught me there is nothing (and I mean nothing) more fun than a bunny cruise.

Everyone was celebrating my life. I got to swim at Debbie, Gailen, Mark and Lynn’s beach. They even threw me a beach party. I got to dance with the band and party with the humans. My mom and dad took me to the Twisp River Ranger Rendezvous to party with Cory, Wendy, Lacey, Carly and Mattie. Swimming in that river was awesome. I got to eat a corn dog for my birthday. I loved swimming and did it several times each week, trying to build up my left foreleg muscles after the tumor and radiation treatments reduced their strength. I even got to go into my Aunt Barbara’s beauty shop and hang out with the ladies. They all reminded me how beautiful I was.

In August the cancer came back. My mom’s best friend Linda really helped my mom. Her prayers and support gave my mom faith. So did my Aunt Joyce. She helped my mom realize it was time for me to move on. I think my mom and dad needed that because I know they are going to miss me very much. I will miss them too but I am exited to see my brother Carbon and sister Pinot. I’m also exited to see my human Grandma and Grandpa. I really missed them when they left for heaven. I never got over missing them.

Everyone tried very hard to treat my cancer and save my life. Dr. Trimble and all my friends at Village Veterinary Hospital were amazing. They worked with my mom and dad day and night to save my life. They did everything they could but it was just time for me to go! I realized when all of this was happening and I was dying. This is it. This is what dogs do for humans. We teach them how to love. Dogs bring people together and teach them how to love. Realizing this, I knew my life here was complete. I had done my job.

Well it is time for me to get going here. There is one thing I would like to clarify. I understand there is some question as to whether dogs go to heaven. I don’t really know if dogs or people go to heaven but I’m certain their spirits do! Live a good life and remember one thing. “There is nothing that a good nap and a tummy rub won’t heal.”
God Bless.
Love Ivory

Deanna D. and Herb I.