She Is Gone
I haven’t been able to bring myself to post this here until now. On Friday, April 13th, Cassie lost her battle. Here is what I wrote that evening:
Cassie Jean Davis (12/3/99 – 4/13/12)
This morning, I said goodbye to my best friend. Her “official” name was Sherborne Cassiopeia, but she was better known as Cassie, Peeps or HoneyPot. She didn’t KNOW she was “better known as” any of those, because she was born deaf; however, I believe she could hear my heart. I believe she knew how important she was to me.
From the day I met her when she was three months old she was my best friend and constant companion. I picked her up at O’Hare Airport when she was three months old, the week after my Mom died, and her “puppy-ness” saw me through my grief. She licked the tears off my face, and made me laugh. She made me get out of bed and made me get out of the house. She literally brought ME back to life.
She had an amazing sense of humor and she made me laugh almost daily. She was EXTREMELY loving and loyal. She was SO smart. Once I figured out she was deaf and I started using hand signals, I’ve always felt she must have thought “FINALLY, she’s speaking my language!”
She gamely followed me through moves from Chicago to Orlando to Atlanta, and adapted well in each place. She LOVED the snow in Chicago, and Florida was a “bit” warm for her, but she was happy because she was with me.
In February of this year, Cassie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, and her front left leg was removed. She was a fighter, and she was soon hopping bravely around. She went through one round of chemo, but had a hard time recovering from that. Two days ago, she started having problems with her remaining front leg, and the vet felt it was a neurological or spinal cord problem. We had a plan to combat it, and had a medication plan in place.
Last night she was very restless the whole night. I couldn’t seem to make her comfortable. Unfortunately, this morning, she was also unable to use her hind legs. She wasn’t able to stand on her own. The vet told me there wasn’t really anything that could be done, and I didn’t want her to suffer any more.
She ate some of her favorite treats as they injected her with the anesthesia. She lay in my arms as she fell asleep. She went very peacefully. I told her to go find my mom and my brother in heaven. I will always hold her in my heart.
April 30th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
oh no, this is just so terribly sad. there is never enough time, but it sounds like you and cassie learned to squeeze every drop of joy out of every day. you gave her a final, selfless gift by letting her transition to her next adventure. i’m sure gayle was at the bridge to greet her – the black girls always stick together. hopefully the wonderful memories you made will help to heal your broken heart. love never ends.
charon & spirit gayle
April 30th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
We are so very sorry for your heartbreak!!!!
April 30th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
So very sorry to hear Cassie has gone to the bridge. She was a beautiful lady and I know she will be sorely missed. Thinking of you, Catherine
April 30th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
I’m so sorry… I’m glad that you and Cassie had each other for all those years but I’m heartbroken for you that they had to end. She’ll live as part of you forever.
April 30th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
I’m so very sorry to hear of Cassie’s passing. But what a lovely story, and a beautiful bond you two had! I know she will be with you forever, and that she’s waiting for you on the other side of the bridge. Sending consoling thoughts to you.
May 1st, 2012 at 10:23 pm
I am so sorry to hear the news of Cassie’s passing. I just watch her video. She was so beautiful with eyes full of love.