A Member of the Family
My heart is so heavy right now.
The surgery revealed that the tumor was attached to the intestines. I requested to see it. It was very large, about the size of a grapefruit and there were some signs of internal seepage. He had deteriorated so quickly in the last week and our vet did not think he'd last more than a day or so. Since my husband is in
So, now I am sitting here thinking of all the wonderful things we used to do; dog shows, visiting schools, participating at the state fair, participating in the Christmas parade, the artic exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, hiking and traveling. He was always well behaved (although occasionally silly) and sweet tempered. He was the epitome of the Siberian Husky breed, friendly, gentle, exuberant, easy to train, an independent thinker, and he never, ever wanted another dog to walk in front of him. Master Chef, bed lounger extraordinaire, he filled our lives with joy. It was a blessing and a privilege to have such a beautiful and wonderful creature in our lives.
Atom,
photos taken in Pensacola, Fl
Submitted by
Deb
at 5/4/2004 10:53:40 PM- Lorraine, my thoughts are with you and your family for your dear Atom. Losing a pet member of the family is so hard. *hugs*
Submitted by
Old
at 5/5/2004 11:15:31 AM- It is so hard to say goodbye to a creature that gives us so much love.
Submitted by
cantgetthere
at 5/5/2004 8:29:34 PM- Thank you.~L
Submitted by
Nanci
at 5/6/2004 1:28:54 AM- Lorraine, Those pictures are so great. Especailly the tree one. I know it is so tough for oyu and Christina right now. I remember when Shiro passed and how different it was just to visit the Askin's let alone live there. I know Atom will be missed. I let our kids and Mel know. We are so sorry. We will miss him too! He was such a great help in the kitchen! :)
Submitted by
Old
at 5/6/2004 5:17:53 PM- Just read you entry again and one of the lines struck me. I have a paperweight that says "If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes." Sounds like Atom's philosophy.
Submitted by
Larry
at 5/6/2004 7:35:48 PM- I am so sorry to hear about Atom. My thoughts are with you.
Submitted by
CJ
at 5/7/2004 7:51:12 PM- Very sorry for your loss.
Submitted by
Elaine van der Linden
at 8/6/2004 3:30:57 AM- Dear Lorraine:
I came across your site about Atom tonight, while looking for some clip art or "quotes" about pets we lose. I am so sorry about the loss of your precious dog Atom. I also lost my angel Molly to cancer on January 20, 2004. I wrote a tribute to her at this link, http://www.rainbowsbridge.com/residents/Molly089/resident.HTM
Words really can't convey the sadness and the void that this leaves. Only another animal lover understands.
In 1999, about a month after I rescued Molly from a horrible animal shelter, I started MOLLY'S MILITIA. We rescue dogs and cats from animal shelters, get their medical work done, and then adopt them to loving homes, www.mollysmilitia.org. I don't know why my sweet Molly was taken from me only five years after we found each other.
I know Molly will meet me one day on the Rainbow Bridge, and we will never be separated again. I know the pain you are in. I hope you will consider becoming a foster parent for an animal rescue group in your area. It is the most rewarding thing you could ever do. By the way, I have 3 precious Huskies, Taylor, Skylar, and Mia, as well as two Cockers, Mattie and Macy, and a Border Collie mix, Drew.
I am also fostering two angels, Maggie and Liza (on our website), and have 146 animals in foster homes in our area.
You have so much love to give, and there are countless shelter animals that will die if someone doesn't save them. We rescue so many Huskies from the shelters because I can't stand to see these beautiful free spirited dogs behind bars. We have flown our angels to new homes all over the U. S. If we have a Husky that you like, if you cover the travel expenses, I will waive the adoption fee as a tribute to Atom. Our Huskies have all medical work done, and most are microchipped. Just let me know.
With love and best wishes,
Elaine van der Linden, Founder & Director
Molly's Militia
P. O. Box 6816
North Augusta, S. C. 29841
Phone: 803-279-7003
Fax: 803-819-0985
www.mollysmilitia.org
www.molly.petfinder.org
Molly's Militia is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation.
All donations are tax deductible.
Oh, Lorraine, I am crying with you. What a beautiful animal. How I wish it could have turned out differently. I know the pain of losing a pet. We know when we bring them home that one day they will have to leave us but we want that day to be put off as long as possible. It hurts for such a long time, but one day a another dog will claim you, surely. When you're ready. You'll never forget Atom, but you will be able to give love to another who needs you. Keep thinking of what a good life you gave Atom. My Rhombus died over two years ago and sometimes I can still cry for her but I'm wonderfully glad that we took Rusty in. He gives us lots of companionship and love. And I'm thinking of Donna who told me that my cat in the picture looked like her Annie who died two years ago. She still mourns Annie. We just carry them in our hearts, don't we! How nice that you have these beautiful pictures.
nj