Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Farewell Sweet Lulubelle

This is a memorial to my former foster dog Abby who became Lulubelle. I've had her on the blog before. She was so tiny when I got her, and I had to buy her a little coat to stay warm. It was February, 2008. I had an application for her very quickly-- and went to do a home check. I met Fran and Jason. and their son Memo-- and fell in love with this family. They had the sweetest hearts I've seen and a gentleness as they talked with Abby/Lulubelle. I just knew this was the home for my little foster girl.
She was cherished, given little clothes to wear and very pretty dog bed. She was the princess.
Her very best friend-- besides her mom and dad-- was Nubby. I loved Nubby, too! I've a big Peke person, but this Boston Terrier could have just come home with me.
Lulubelle had a wonderful life. She explored the yard.
She stayed close to Nubby--
Her mom and dad adopted/saved two Chihuahuas, too, when they were being "thrown out" by the person who had bred them over and over. I was able to visit Lulubelle and her mom because they lived near me in Virginia. Fran became a very special person to me-- she calls me her Virginia mom. It was an honor to be called that.
They moved back to California, and I knew I would miss them. But, with emails and blogs, I was able to keep updated on their family. It was with shock that I received a call this week from Fran, telling me that Lulubelle had died in her little pink bed in her sleep. When we got her into rescue, we thought she was about 8 years old. She had been found wandering down a highway, in the winter, in the rain. We thought she had years to live-- but we were wrong. What she did have was a wonderful, loving family for over a year and a half. I just wish it was longer.

Fran sent me a eulogy for her Lulubelle. I want to post it here.

"I remember the day I met Linda and a little golden ball of fluff my family and I named Lulubelle, a petite sweet senior Peke who I fell in love with immediately. Though skittish at first, she learned we were there to give her nothing but love, and she gave us so much more in return. I met Linda, and both her and Lulu became members of our family. Lulu was a cute as a button firecracker, who soon became the alpha dog and big sister to our other pups. It gives me comfort to know she didn't pass away in some shelter, or in some stranger's cold floor unloved, but in our bedroom on her tiny pink bed, loved.
We will always love you and miss you baby Lu.
Your fur brother and sisters miss you more than you can imagine (even if you stole their beds all the time) :)
I miss seeing your tail peeking out from under our blankets.
I love you Lulu.

I Stood By Your Bed +++
I stood by your bed last night,
I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying,
You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached out to me.
I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me.
"You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so near you every day.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is almost over... I smile and watch you yawning
And say, "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.
— Author Unknown

Rest in peace, sweet Lulubelle. We miss you.

12 comments:

Tracey said...

What a loved little girl Lulubelle was!! How blessed she was to have a family love her so much. But, I know she gave them even more blessings! The pictures and poem brought tears to my eyes. Oh boy it is amazing how much our Peke's mean to us!

claudine hellmuth said...

This post made me cry for sweet Lulubelle! Sadness that she didn't get more happy years with her new family, but happy tears too that she ended her life surrounded by love.

What a beautiful little doggie! I am so glad she was loved.

Jeanne said...

This was the nicest farewell. Linda you just said it all. It made me cry.You can tell Lulu was so loved. My heart had a very heavy feeling reading this story. It made me think of my little ones who have passed.

Thank you for loving Lulu. I know she felt the same for her Mom and Dad.

Mary Elizabeth said...

To Lulubelle's family -- I am so sorry for your loss. I hope the memories of your sweet girl carry you through this time... thank you for giving her a warm and caring home and lots of love. Her pictures and the poem are beautiful.

lady jicky said...

I am so sad to read this . When my rescue pug died after having her for only 1 year someone said that I really had her 7 years. So, little Lulubelle had 7 dog years with that lovely family!!
I send my love to you all , its so hard , she was much loved and will be so missed.

Karin said...

What a sweet, special little girl. I'm thankful she didn't suffer, but I'm so sorry for her family's sudden loss.
All we can do is love them and someday we'll be reunited in heaven...

Anonymous said...

Thank you all for your kind words. Our Lulu will always be our sweet baby. I miss her so much. She was my little fairy princess. Thank you Linda for having brought Lulubelle into our lives, thank you from all of us.

Linda said...

It was my blessing to have found Lulubelle for you and to have met and become part of your family. This was the hardest farewell I've ever had to write-- because you and your family are part of my heart. I'm so glad she had you for almost 2 years--
My love to all of you,
Linda

Essie said...

I am so very sorry for your loss and am sending Prayers your way. She was so loved and I just can't put into words how sad I am feeling right now. She was a very pretty little girl. She has her Pekie Wings now and will always hover over you.

Pekiegirl said...

So sad for Lulubelle and her family! It's hard to loose a friend that meant so much!

Cris said...

Our sympathies to sweet Lulubelle's family, she was obviously very loved by her family and I'm sue she brought them as much joy as they did to her. thank you for giving her a home and even if it was for a shorter amount of time you made a difference in her life.
Our prayers go out to you.
Take Care,
Lopez Family

Saraphim said...

Thank you for loving her, it meant a lot. She was very happy to see what you had done in her honor. May God bless you to be with her in the Netherworlds as I have been myself. Sarrah

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