Donations in Biscuit’s Honor

It is with great heartfelt sadness that Biscuit passed away during the afternoon of Sunday, July 7, 2013, a warm and sunny day; Biscuit passed peacefully in my arms at home with Doug by our side.  Our hearts are very sad because of the great loss in our lives.  Biscuit is an irreplaceable family member and loyal companion who we loved with all of our hearts.  We miss Biscuit deeply.  Our life is not the same without him by our side.  You can read our tribute to Biscuit here.

We hope that Biscuit’s story touched your life.  If you wish, you may make a donation to the Sheltie Haven Sheltie Rescue, Inc.,  in Biscuit’s honor and memory to help other shelties like Biscuit.  (On January 7, 2010, we adopted Biscuit from the Sheltie Haven Sheltie Rescue, Inc.).

The Sheltie Haven Sheltie Rescue, Inc. gave Biscuit a home and an opportunity for a second chance at life.  If it were not for this dog rescue organization, we would not have met Biscuit and had the opportunity to rescue and adopt him and see him blossom and experience life with us.  He truly thrived and made the most of the time he had remaining in this life and he rescued us as well.  These dog rescue organizations like the Sheltie Haven Sheltie Rescue, Inc., are vital homes for rescue dogs in order for them to have an opportunity to receive furever homes like Biscuit received.  I am certain that Biscuit’s story has inspired others to consider rescuing a dog(s) in need of a furever home.

Doug and I are grateful that we were able to be at home with Biscuit as he transitioned to his next life.  I wanted to share just minutes before Biscuit passed away, as he laid in my lap and in my arms, I noticed a white heart shape marking in his fur on the bottom portion of his neck, pictured below.  Biscuit was shaved in this area from his recent surgery and we had not noticed this marking since his drain and his cone were both removed last week.  I am grateful for seeing this heart marking on Biscuit.  Perhaps it is a sign of Biscuit’s mutual love for us before he said good-bye for now.  We know Biscuit did everything he could to stay with us for as long as he did.  In fact, Biscuit’s strength was quite remarkable given his circumstances.  He was always a very persistent little guy.  At times, I think that he was stronger than us.

Additionally, on the evening Biscuit passed away, during the time of our usual evening walk with Biscuit, Doug and I witnessed on our walk together, a beautiful and breathtaking bight orange and pink sunset like no other sunset we had ever seen before.  Perhaps it was Biscuit telling us, in his own way, that he was OK and that we would be OK.  Doug and I also observed two rainbows during Biscuit’s final days.  We believe that these are positive signs for all of us.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”  ~Thomas Campbell, Hallowed Ground

Thank you for keeping Biscuit in your thoughts and prayers over the past few months.  We are very appreciative.  Also, thank you for all of the heartfelt e-mails and calls during this difficult time.  It means so much to us.  We have experienced so much kindness, especially from people whom we have never met in person, whom I have gotten to know via the blog, who also loved our little Biscuit.  Thank you so very much for your kindness and empathy — we are truly grateful.  Thank you.

A friend shared these words, below, with us.  We find that these words are very true, especially during the painful loss of a furry family member.  Biscuit was our first furry family member; and there will never be another little Biscuit.

“There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.  It is a cycle unlike any other.  To those who have never lived through its turnings or walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge they will be broken seems incomprehensible.  Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.”

Suzanne Clothier