Gone Too Soon

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HopeShelties

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My sweet 12 week old baby Glimmer left me this morning far too soon. She only joined my household a little over a month ago. In that month, she stole my heart. We'v all talked about our heart dogs... how hard they are to find, how special they are. I have had 2- Duffy, my first Sheltie, and Athena, one of my current Shelties. I felt Glimmer was to become my third. She displayed so much of what has made Athena special, and we had an amazing connection from the get go. She was one of those brilliant dogs who you could just see had such a bright future ahead of her. Everything with her was practically effortless. She wanted to please so much, loved to be with me, and was amazingly smart and quick to learn. She was a special little girl.
She has been going to puppy classes since she was 8 weeks old, and despite being the youngest, had been the star of her class. Last night, unknown to me, was to be her last class. Her personality showed more brightly last night than ever before. It was review night. She went through her exercises in class like a seasoned dog, always doing as asked the first time, and doing it quickly at that. I had built a strong bond with her. She loved me, and would fly to me any time I called. Last night, a can of stinky cat food was added to the restrained recalls. While every other puppy failed- veering off course to go for the food, or at least giving a head check and pausing, little Glimmer flew to me as fast as her little legs would carry her, eyes only for me, never paying a bit of attention. She had such a zest for life, and while doing leash work last night was just bounding around, full of herself, happy, and sometimes in class, barking. She had the makings of a wonderful partner. Sadly, that isn't to be.
I put her up last night around midnight in her crate, went downstairs, and went to bed. This morning, I got up, checked my mail on my phone, posted a response on here, and then went to let dogs out. When I went to get Glimmer, she was dead. I am absolutely devastated. I loved my little girl so much. I can't even begin to guess what caused her death. She had never seemed healthier, happier, or more active than last night, and it was a horrible blow to wake up and find her gone this morning.
She is going in for a necropsy in hopes of finding the cause. With my other dogs in the house, I can't take any chances, despite her seeming not to be sick... and because I have a responsibility to the others in her puppy class for the same reason, and her breeder in case it is anything hereditary that she may need to know about.
Goodbye baby girl. You didn't deserve to die so young. Despite us only having a short time together, I loved you dearly, and will miss you so much. You are leaving a big hole in my heart. I hope my dear, sweet Duffy is there at rainbow bridge waiting for you. My heart dogs deserve to be together.
Next week she was to graduate from puppy obedience class. Two weeks from now was to be her first UKC conformation show.
 
Oh my goodness....I am absolutley in tears. I am so very sorry that this happened. What can I say?

One of the hardest things to do is say goodbye to a baby. I feel your devastation and wish I could give you some words of wisdom, but I can't right now. My heart is just broken for you.

Stay strong.
 
My eyes watered up as I read your post. :cry:

I can't even imagine what you are going through. I am so sorry for your loss.
 
Oh I am so sad for you. I'm glad little Glimmer had such a wonderful time in her short little life. My heart is breaking for you.
 
I am so so sorry to hear of your unexpected, sudden loss. With tears flowing, my heart truly goes out to you. It's horrible to lose so young and full of life. My deepest sympathies........:sadsmile:
 
I am thankful for last night as I will always remember her as she flew to me across the room on her recalls. The expression on her face, eager, trusting, intelligent, and excitd to work summed up every minute of her short life.
I have asked the instructor to please still bring her certificate for graduating her class next week. She and I worked hard to earn it, and it is something she earned. I want to have it for her.
While she never got to compete, she does have her certificate, and I think both of these fit so well:

"Your dog has only so many runs in him or her. Always remember each time you run your dog that it is a priviledge and that you are spending one of your runs. It is a gift when both the handler and the dog have the health and resources to step up to the start line. Make the most of every moment you share together as your relationship and bond strengthens through the game we love called agility" -Helen Juice

"Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher Title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honour the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard. And though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified. A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name. A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received permanently."
-Author Unknown
 
I am so very, very sorry to read your news about Glimmer. Like everyone else, I had tears reading your post. It's difficult enough to lose them at 10, 13, whenever their time comes after a good life with us. But at such a young age, and with such promise...words just fail me.

Sending you hugs, and hope that you get some answers to your questions and find peace.
 
I am so sorry for your loss, words just cannot describe. I will hug my babies tonight in honor of your Glimmer and send you peaceful thoughts.
 
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