For Cass

God promised at the birth of time, a special friend to give,
her time on earth is short, he said, so love her while she lives.

It may be six or seven years, or twelve or then
sixteen, but will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?

A wagging tail and cold wet nose, and silken velvet
ears, a heart as big as all outdoors, she loved me through the years.
 
Her puppy ways did gladden me, and antics brought a
smile, as guardian and friend she was loyal all the while.

She brought her charms to grace my life, and though her stay
was brief, now she's gone the memories, give solace in my grief.
 
God didn't promise she would stay, since all from earth
return, but lessons only a dog can teach, Cass helped me to learn.

For all the love I gave her, she returned in triple
measure, she lived and loved a life, brim full of simple pleasure.

She enjoyed each day as it came, her heart ever her
guide, loyal and steadfast in love, Cass was at my side.

She gave to me all her love, with no thought of tomorrow
so please God now shelter her and help me in my sorrow. 

I know that I must say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done,
for all the joy my Cass has brought, the risk of grief I've run."

I sheltered her with tenderness, I loved her every day,
and for the happiness she gave, I will forever grateful stay.

But the angels called for her, much sooner than I'd planned,
I'll brave the bitter grief that's come, and try to understand.

On the 14 February 2008 I took Cass to the vet to be desexed, trying to do the right thing in desexing her following her last litter to protect her from mammary cancers and pyometras. Cass was physically checked and underwent pre-anaesthetic testing and was in the peak of conditon - looking wonderful and seemingly as healthy as she had been all her life. I had taken the day off so that I could fetch her after the op but instead my wonderful vet Christine and vet nurse Kelly knocked on my door coming with the dreadful news that Cass had suffered a complication after a successful, problem free surgery as she was awakening from the anaesthetic. Needless to say I thank Chris and Kelly for trying their hardest to save my sweet Cassie but it was not to be and I lost my beautiful girl.

Cass was a funny sweetheart who had a hunting call like no other - I just wish I had taped it because it always made me laugh and I could do with a laugh right now. Cass's hunting call was a big part of why she never managed to actually catch anything - they had plenty of warning and her call used to scare the willies out of people so I can imagine what it would have done to any prey (possums, bats, birds) that Cass raced after.

Cass was a 'talker' who would explain in great detail how she was feeling about things. After being mated by Arbee (and dragging him around the pool area) she spent an hour telling me about the indignity of it all. Other than her talking though Cass was never one to push herself forward except perhaps when the front door opened and she thought she might be going for a ride in the car. She loved the car and loved seeing and being with her friends both two- and four-legged.

Her heart was huge and for it to have let her down fills me with inexpressible sorrow. When she turned her deep brown soulful eyes on you you knew you were loved thoroughly and completely. She never demanded attention or begged for food although she lived for both, but rather stood back and waited for it to be her turn. She loved her ear rubs and her back rubs and I'll miss the re-arranged furniture that used to result from her using the couch as a scratching post. I'll miss her mad rushes through the house and her mad crazy play times with Arbee and Summer.