Reba was a rescue my ex-husband found on the streets of Danville, Illinois. After many attempts to find her owners, he took her home. It was the best decision he ever made.
We think Reba was part Norwegian Elk hound, and the vet also thought she was part Husky. She had beautiful brown eyes and gray, beige, brown and black fur, with a big plume tail.
Norwegian Elk hounds typically have an inseparable bond with their masters and are quite loyal. Reba would prove that many times over.
We discovered she'd already been spayed, and she knew what the sound of a doorbell and a can-opener meant. Reba already knew tricks, could "shake," "speak" and "fetch," and was house-trained. We knew that she had been someone's beloved pet at one time.
She would run and jump in the car whenever I would pick up the children from visits with their father. Once, she took a flying leap, and sailed through the open driver's side window across me, and landed in the passenger seat, without touching me as she flew by. (No small feat, because she was about 60 pounds by then.)
The children's Dad eventually agreed to let the kids and I take Reba home with us for good. She loved being with the children, and we loved her right back. She went on long walks with us, and would run, jump and play. She loved to play tug-of-war with us. We had so much fun with her, and she brought so much joy to our household, she kept us laughing all the time. She loved the snow, and would toss it high into the air, and then wallow it until she was white. She protected us, and gave us a sense of security when the children and I were alone. She would even "speak" to the kids on the phone when they called home. She enjoyed life and we enjoyed her.
Fast forward... one October day when the children were all at school, the phone rang. The voice on the other end told me that my mammogram showed I had breast cancer, and how soon could I get back to their office?
Just like that!
My life changed forever in an instant. I had 4 children, ages 7-14, and by then, I was divorced--and alone. When I hung up the phone, I reached for Reba, and she cradled me. Never flinching, she sat like that for a long time, while I cried into her fur, until she was wet with my tears. I know Reba cried right along with me. Reba stayed by my side, and never left it again.
She was beside me after the surgery, and then months of chemotherapy and radiation. When I was too drained to get out of bed, I would often wake up, feeling a huge warm body next to me. It was Reba, cuddling me. She would crawl under the covers, and pull them up over both of us with her teeth, and lay her head on the pillow next to mine.
When my Mom died from cancer during my chemo, I was distraught, and Reba was by my side. She offered her love with big hugs and quiet kisses. During the months of cancer treatments, my energy was sapped and she stayed with me, day in and day out. Reba was my support every moment. She adored me, and I adored her.
Later on, I began to notice that Reba was having trouble getting up on the bed, and the vet said it was arthritis. Then, new symptoms appeared, and she was diagnosed with diabetes. I faithfully gave her insulin shots, for over a year. It was my turn to care for her, lovingly, as she had done for me. I did everything I could to help her.
Reba kept on loving us, but her body was giving out. She was having life-threatening issues, and we were all just devastated. It became obvious that she was going to have to leave us. I could not let her suffer. I cried into her fur again, and told her over and over and over how much I loved her. She licked my face, and cuddled me. She "spoke" her good byes to us in a surprisingly strong voice. I laid with her and embraced her, as she had embraced me. I held her a long time, not wanting to ever forget the feel of her in my arms. Reba left us for Rainbow Bridge, where I know she jumps, runs and plays.... and waits for us.
Reba was my faithful friend and my loving companion. She loved me through the most dismal time in my life, and during the good times too. What it meant to have her by my side, no one will ever really understand, but me. She truly was my best friend. Our inseparable bond can never be broken.
I love you always and forever, my sweet, sweet Reba.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heartfelt thanks to my good friend Lillie (With Love, Gen Gal) for sponsoring our beloved Reba. Thank you so very much!
Reba was a rescue my ex-husband found on the streets of Danville, Illinois. After many attempts to find her owners, he took her home. It was the best decision he ever made.
We think Reba was part Norwegian Elk hound, and the vet also thought she was part Husky. She had beautiful brown eyes and gray, beige, brown and black fur, with a big plume tail.
Norwegian Elk hounds typically have an inseparable bond with their masters and are quite loyal. Reba would prove that many times over.
We discovered she'd already been spayed, and she knew what the sound of a doorbell and a can-opener meant. Reba already knew tricks, could "shake," "speak" and "fetch," and was house-trained. We knew that she had been someone's beloved pet at one time.
She would run and jump in the car whenever I would pick up the children from visits with their father. Once, she took a flying leap, and sailed through the open driver's side window across me, and landed in the passenger seat, without touching me as she flew by. (No small feat, because she was about 60 pounds by then.)
The children's Dad eventually agreed to let the kids and I take Reba home with us for good. She loved being with the children, and we loved her right back. She went on long walks with us, and would run, jump and play. She loved to play tug-of-war with us. We had so much fun with her, and she brought so much joy to our household, she kept us laughing all the time. She loved the snow, and would toss it high into the air, and then wallow it until she was white. She protected us, and gave us a sense of security when the children and I were alone. She would even "speak" to the kids on the phone when they called home. She enjoyed life and we enjoyed her.
Fast forward... one October day when the children were all at school, the phone rang. The voice on the other end told me that my mammogram showed I had breast cancer, and how soon could I get back to their office?
Just like that!
My life changed forever in an instant. I had 4 children, ages 7-14, and by then, I was divorced--and alone. When I hung up the phone, I reached for Reba, and she cradled me. Never flinching, she sat like that for a long time, while I cried into her fur, until she was wet with my tears. I know Reba cried right along with me. Reba stayed by my side, and never left it again.
She was beside me after the surgery, and then months of chemotherapy and radiation. When I was too drained to get out of bed, I would often wake up, feeling a huge warm body next to me. It was Reba, cuddling me. She would crawl under the covers, and pull them up over both of us with her teeth, and lay her head on the pillow next to mine.
When my Mom died from cancer during my chemo, I was distraught, and Reba was by my side. She offered her love with big hugs and quiet kisses. During the months of cancer treatments, my energy was sapped and she stayed with me, day in and day out. Reba was my support every moment. She adored me, and I adored her.
Later on, I began to notice that Reba was having trouble getting up on the bed, and the vet said it was arthritis. Then, new symptoms appeared, and she was diagnosed with diabetes. I faithfully gave her insulin shots, for over a year. It was my turn to care for her, lovingly, as she had done for me. I did everything I could to help her.
Reba kept on loving us, but her body was giving out. She was having life-threatening issues, and we were all just devastated. It became obvious that she was going to have to leave us. I could not let her suffer. I cried into her fur again, and told her over and over and over how much I loved her. She licked my face, and cuddled me. She "spoke" her good byes to us in a surprisingly strong voice. I laid with her and embraced her, as she had embraced me. I held her a long time, not wanting to ever forget the feel of her in my arms. Reba left us for Rainbow Bridge, where I know she jumps, runs and plays.... and waits for us.
Reba was my faithful friend and my loving companion. She loved me through the most dismal time in my life, and during the good times too. What it meant to have her by my side, no one will ever really understand, but me. She truly was my best friend. Our inseparable bond can never be broken.
I love you always and forever, my sweet, sweet Reba.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heartfelt thanks to my good friend Lillie (With Love, Gen Gal) for sponsoring our beloved Reba. Thank you so very much!
