You guys are too much! I can’t thank you enough for your kind words. It really means so much to me to be a part of such a terrific group. Some of you have been through this before and know from experience how devastating the loss of a pet can be, especially when that pet was really more like a friend and family member. And our Karmon was that exactly that. She was amazing from the first day we met her.
We found Karmon purely by chance. One Friday afternoon Tom and I both arrived home from work a bit earlier than usual, and on a whim I suggested we go to the Humane Society to visit the animals, which I like to do every so often. When we arrived we found Karmon, who just that day had been transferred in from one of the county shelters. The county had picked her up as a stray and she didn’t have an ID chip, so nothing was known about her. They held her for as long as they could, which was about two weeks. Since she was so young (about 11 months old) they felt she was highly adoptable, so they sent her to the Humane Society. In another moment of the stars aligning she was officially available for adoption just moments before we walked in the door. But again, she was a question mark since nothing was known about her. We took the chance and never looked back. To our surprise she was already housebroken, knew basic commands, and refused to get up on the furniture. (I kind of undid that part.) In the 8 1/2 years we spent with her she was the sweetest, gentlest girl, always happy, always curious, and always the best friend you could ask for. She was our super star.
A few years ago we learned that Karmon suffered from a condition in which her immune system was attacking her blood platelets. We monitored her condition diligently and for several years she went into and out of remission. The drugs she needed to keep her platelet count up were very toxic to her liver, and in late January her liver began to fail. We tried everything we could but couldn’t save her. Letting go of her was the most difficult, wrenching experience of my adult life.
We had Karmon privately cremated, and her ashes are now home with us. One day, not now but maybe when we feel the time is right, we would like to release some of her ashes into the ocean. Karmon loved the ocean, and it would be nice to think she became a part of it. Right now I can’t bear to let any of her go, but I suppose once we’ve found some peace we’ll be more willing to make the sacrifice.
For those who’ve read this far, thank you. I know this is long, but it helps to know that Karmon’s spirit lives on in peoples’ hearts and memories.
Thank you everybody. You have touched my heart deeply.
David
