Cassidy girl

As the Bible reveals, animals are complete and man is not. Animals require no instructions from our Creator. Angels are messengers sent to teach and direct us so that we may achieve completion and learn to love. Indeed, animals are angels.

_Bernie Siegal author of Prescriptions for Living.

When I walked into the shelter that day about 13 years ago, (already crying knowing I couldn’t save them all) I asked “Which one has been here the longest?” They brought me Cassidy and Nairobi. These two babies had been there since they were puppies and were not adopted. They were now One years old still living in the shelter. While I originally came in to adopt one dog, I was then convinced that two dogs are better than one! So I adopted Cassidy and Nairobi. 🙂 Shortly after that, I applied for a position there at Humane Society of Charlotte, and was hired! And so my journey of Animal Rescue began. Life with my two new dogs, and my 2 cats in my new house near Downtown Charlotte. What’s the use of a big fenced in yard without some puppies running around, right?

I lived in my house for 5 years. Working at my local no-kill animal shelter really changed my life and I was on a mission to save as many as I could. I had found my calling! So a foster home was born. I’ve fostered more pups and kitties than I can actually remember to count. I think Cassidy loved this, her and Nairobi did so well with all of our temporary house guests!

I decided to move to Dallas, Texas in 2012. A 17.5 hour drive across country with my babies in tow. They were so good! I thought my drive may be lonely but not with them with me. It was actually so very exciting and I loved having my babies with me the whole way.

It’s crazy to think how much impact our precious fur babies have on our lives. She was there through my horrible break ups, a trek across country, when I was feeling so sad or stressed out, to take me on walks when I was bored. 🙂 I couldn’t imagine coming home and not having her there to greet me at the door. Her HUGS (basically me hugging her) equaled HEALING. You don’t realize how fast time flies and how in an instant they are getting a little grayer. She was my little water baby, LOVED the water! Nairobi is the complete opposite hah. At my last apartments we had a walk in doggie pool and she got in it EVERY SINGLE time, even if it was 20* out. She loved to cuddle, just be near me. She would put her paw on me while I’m on the floor working out or sitting on the couch because I was not giving her enough attention. She used to get jealous if I pet Nairobi more than her, and move him out of the way haha. She also LOVED cuddling with me in bed (which only happened on occasion) The night after I found out her condition I tried to get her on my bed to sleep with me, but I just couldn’t get her up there, so I slept right beside her on the floor that night.

She may not have always been the Goodest girl, but she was so my girl!

Losing her was one of the hardest things I’ve had to go through. I will tell you though, one of the best things to have around is an at home vet. That day, I frantically looked up and called ReadiVet which is right in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, all while crying and trying to explain what was going on. And I’m telling you, if I didn’t….there would be no way I could drive myself home. They had never met Cassidy or talked to me before, but they squeezed me in that day as their last appointment. They were so sweet and also called the first Vet I took her to CityVet (who were awesome btw) so they could get more of an idea of her X-rays and condition. She had a huge tumor over her heart that was causing her bad breathing. She was filling up with fluid, and as I heard the gurgling of her stomach that day I figured it was time. ReadiVet came in and also assessed the situation and confirmed it was the best time to do it. I gave her a peanut butter jar, laid down right beside her kissing her head, telling her it was OK and that she’s a good girl, while bawling my eyes out. Being beside her and talking to her while it was happening was the worst thing in the world (I was crying so hard I was shaking y’all) but also I think the best thing for her. I am so thankful ReadiVet allowed me to do that with her in our own home and I will be using them in the future for my vet visits! I will be getting a paw print of her precious paw and they also sent me a personalized card. Their prices were also extremely reasonable for coming to your home! I am including their link so you all can use them for at home Pet visits also! https://readivet.com/

As Heartbroken as I am, I would never change having her in my life and rescuing her was obviously one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. They really do teach you so much. Unconditional love, discipline, patience (even though I lost it sometimes) and a big responsibility, just to name a few. Saving as many more of these babies as I can will help Honor Cassidy and the life she gave me. So I’m asking for donations in Cassidy’s honor so others can experience the same love I did. One for Humane Society of Charlotte and the other a local great rescue here in Dallas called Dallas Pets Alive! It would really (maybe a little selfishly) mean so much to me and help make me feel a little better to know that we can save more of these Angels on Earth. I really am missing my Cassidy AWFULLY. She will always have a piece of my heart!

Dallas Pets Alive! Go Fund me link- https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/cassidys-honor1

Humane Society of Charlotte Go Fund Me link- https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/cassidys-honor2