Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Our Sabrina Marie

Yesterday, at 11:15 am on the 3rd of January, 2011, our "Brie" quietly took her last breath. 

Brie is my kindred spirit. She was the happiest little girl ever in the canine world. She grinned, laughed, and played in a constant state of harmony. She never fussed or complained about anything. She was the one we called our "clown". 

She came to our home beaten, abused, and emotionally distraught. But, she never gave up on life, and we certainly never gave up on her. She worked through her 'issues' and grew into the most courageous puppy I've ever seen. Brie became our mediator in our household. If a tiff started between a couple of her siblings, she stepped in and smoothed it over, before it escalated. Brie turned everything, and I do mean everything, into a game. Her sweet outlook on this world was a big ball of FUN! 

She knew how to push the lever on the fridge door and get ice cubes--oh Lord, she kept the thing empty! Loved to eat ice cubes and shared them with the others. She could jump up and hit the switches to turn on lights--oh yes, it was nothing to come home from anywhere and have EVERY single light on in the house! For a German shepherd, she excelled brilliantly. And didn't have one agressive bone in her body. She loved everyone, never judging them...human or animal.

Brie died due to a peri-anal fistula. They are horrible. We fought it with every antibiotic on the market (both canine and human)-- for the past three years. She didn't complain with all the pills she had to swallow, or the constant cleaning and medicating her little bottom. I actually scheduled personal activities around Brie's medicating and cleaning routine and would say how Brie's butt ruled our home. I didn't mind. And I'd give anything to still have that routine. My heart feels withered as a raisin right now. Next month she would have been 13.

I know in the days ahead, I'll still glance at the doorway to see if she's peeking in at me, or hear her soft chuffs, or her toenails on the floor...in the days ahead, I know I'll catch a scent of her soft breath--

Yes, Brie was my kindred spirit--and now, the other half of my kindred is gone.

                       SABRINA MARIE GALBIATI  2/6/98 - 01/03/11

Cherri 

6 comments:

  1. Cherri,

    I am soooo sorry. I know how much you loved Brie and how big the hole is that's left in your heart. There are no words I can write that will lesson your pain, but know that I'm sad because you're sad.

    Dogs are a very special gift and Brie was a gift for many, many years.

    All my condolences,

    Diana

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  2. Oh, Cherri, you must be devastated. My heart goes out to you.

    RIP Brie...

    "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

    Hugs
    Vicki

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  3. Cherri, I am so sorry. Karla told me about it and we both felt just awful for you.

    Be sure and give your other kids extra hugs till you feel better.

    Take care,

    Nate

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  4. For everyone who left comments and those who emailed me privately--I want to say thank you for your openness, caring, and concern. Steve and I are taking things one day at a time. Brie will skip and play happily through our hearts forever. She was and is so very special.

    Your words meant the world to me and really pulled me through.

    I thank you all--
    Cherri

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  5. *hugs* I'm so sorry, Cherri. Sorry I took so long to comment. We'll be thinking of your family tonight.

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  6. Heather, Thank you for the thoughts...I heard them.
    :>)

    Hugs to you, too!

    Cherri

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