Our Walk in Memory of Sunny…

Maggie and I dedicated our walk in memory of her cousin, Sunny, today. Sunny was 11 years old, a Mix of who knows what really. She was about the size of Maggie, the color of a Golden Retriever but short coat like a Lab. She had a head like a Pitbull. She was playful with people and dogs. She was known as the ‘bad dog’ at the family camp when they would come visit but I always liked Sunny. She was a VERY good dog in my eyes. And in Maggie’s eyes too. Maggie and Sunny grew up together but really only saw each other when they would come up to visit 2-3 times a year. Maggie doesn’t really like many dogs but Sunny she really did. Sunny loved to give in to Maggie’s game that she adores…being chased. They would play bow and chase each other and just have a grand time. We always made a point of making sure Maggie saw Sunny when they came up to visit at the family camp. The last visit was in July. When I saw Sunny, she was lame on her right front. I asked Kim(her Mom) how long she’d been lame. They’d taken her to the vet recently before coming up and the vet put her on NSAID’s. The NSAID’s weren’t really doing anything for her, however. It made me sad to see her that way – as she was really trying to “be Sunny”…play with the kids, play with the other dogs. But I could see pain on her face(and obviously the slight limp). I asked Kim if they’d x-rayed her. She said no. I suggested when they get back home to get her x-rayed.

Sunny and Maggie had a great visit. No chasing games though – not with Maggie being a Tripawd now. I just don’t want her to get hurt.

A few days later after they returned home, I got a phone call from Kim. Kim told me that Sunny was x-rayed and the diagnosis was Osteosarcoma. Gulp. More like shit. I knew it. I never said anything to her when they were up for their visit but down deep I just had an inkling it was bone cancer. Why would I think that…I dunno…paranoid about cancer now, I suppose. They opted to not do amputation and to put her on pain medications to try to keep the pain from being too severe until the time in which it came that Sunny needed to go to Rainbow Bridge. I found out yesterday that Sunny was put down on Wednesday.

Kim hasn’t called me. I feel so badly…. Sunny was a “GOOD DOG”…I’d say Maggie’s favorite Cousin. Sunny’s family ADORED Sunny. She was a “good dog” in their eyes too. They thought so much of her – just like a kid.

So, Maggie & I dedicated our walk to Sunny. Chase those frisbees, play with those dogs and kids, Sunny…you were a “GOOD DOG”.

Here’s a photo of Maggie after our walk sporting her Tripawds bandanna. I don’t have a photo of Sunny. I wish I did.

Author: maggie

Maggie was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma on her left knee. She had amputation done on October 20, 2009. Four days after surgery she had a low grade fever and was off her food for two weeks! Trying times.. I am grateful and so pleased with how she is progressing now.

13 thoughts on “Our Walk in Memory of Sunny…”

  1. i think they’re all ‘good dogs’…it’s our lack of understanding, compassion, or insight that makes us think otherwise. most poor ‘doggie behavior’ is probably initiated by human stupidity (imho). sorry to hear of cousin sunny’s passing, she sounds like a beautiful spirit!!

    charon & gayle

  2. Oh so sorry to hear about Maggie’s cousin. So very sad. We’re just so aware of this cancer that it’s no wonder you thought it would be cancer. Call it intuition. Sometimes I dread my intuition when it comes to things like this. I’d rather my intuition just not tell me what I deep down know to be true – if that makes sense. Now Sunny is running pain free at the bridge and that’s a good thing :).

  3. Sad news about Maggie’s cousin, Sunny.

    That was lovely to dedicate your walk today in her honour. I’m Sunny could see that beautiful beaming smile of Maggie’s from the Bridge.

    Good dog, Sunny.

  4. I love that you dedicated your walk to Sunny, very special thing to do.
    I too recently had a friend whose pitbull was limping. She told me of the visits to the vet and the antiinflamation meds and physical restrictions he was put on. Having had the news of JD’s osteosarcoma come as such a shock to me- after all she was just limping- my first question to my friend was did they do xrays. I too am a bit paranoid about cancer now-guess I always will be.
    Glad you were able to find a fitting way to honor Sunny.

    Rest in Peace Good Dog

    Angel JD’s mom

  5. Oh man, we’re so sorry. Sunny sounds like she was loved and cherished, I’m sure her pawrents did the best they could for her. It’s still so sad that anyone has to go through this.

    Whenever we see a dog limping, we too jump and want to say something to the pawrents. So far the only one I’ve felt comfortable enough saying anything to was my sister, when her lab started limping late last year. So far so good, he’s fine. But once you know about how OS presents itself, you can’t help but have that in the back of your mind all the time.

    Maggie looks fab in her bandanna, and she makes a stunning Tripawds ambassador. Give your cancer survivor a big smooch from us, and we too will keep Sunny’s memory in our hearts when we walk with Wyatt later today.

  6. We are so sorry to hear about Sunny. We hate this stupid, stupid disease. Why does it always seem to get the good dogs? All we can do is make the most of the time we have on this Earth.

  7. What a perfect way to honor your friend Sunny…. a walk with Maggie, dedicated to Spirit Sunny. Its beautiful!

    It’s so sad though, that yet another one of our beloved companions must suffer from this dreadful disease. My heart goes out to Sunny’s family.

    RIP, Sunny the “Good Dog”

  8. Poor Sunny….but she had a fantastic life and was much loved. Kim made a very compassionate decision…..
    RIP Sunny…..
    My sympathies Maggie and Tracy!
    Hugs

  9. That is so sweet to dedicate the walk to Sunny. I would love to add Sunny to my K9 Cancer Walk Tee if that is alright with their owners. Chloe and I would love to walk for Sunny too.

    -Chloe’s mom

    PS. I LOVE Maggie’s ears!

  10. Oh yes! They wouldn’t mind at all that you add Sunny’s name to your t-shirt! I will let them know! 🙂
    Hmmmm….says Maggie….I’m always getting comment about my ears…what’s up with that?! 😉 But yeah, my Mom loves them too…
    she loves to stroke them over and over and over! 😉

    Tracy & Maggie

  11. Great! Sunny’s name is #60, so guess what that means…. A new picture on my forum!!! You can send the link to Sunny’s family to see her name on my shirt (with the +).

    -Chloe’s mom

    PS Chloe doesn’t have as cool of ears, but whenever she sleeps, they are straight up like Maggie’s! She is doing that now…

  12. I was just looking at your photo with 50 names! WOW. That’s alot of dogs and now 60!

    Tracy
    PS Tell Chloe Maggie says UP ears are cool – even if you only get them when you’re sleeping! LOL!

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