Ivy entered my life on June 25th, 2002. She was rescued from a puppy mill outside of St. Louis Missouri, along with 17 other scotties. I drove 6 hours one way to get 2 scotties from the mill. When I arrived, there were 3 scotties awaiting me. Nate, Tillie, and the other unplanned one: Ivy.  So begins our life together. It was a long, fragrant trip back home to Arkansas Scottie Rescue. Since i only had 2 crates with me, one scottie had to ride in the front. That dog was Ivy, who bonded to me.Her age was around seven years old, and she was in bad shape medically, as were the others. Tillie, after surgery, immediately found a home. She is doing well still. Nate went to stay with Bonnie in Tulsa, and went to a home but was returned. He is doing better than ever.  Ivy was adopted out in August, but was picked up by me after 3 days. She was hoarse from barking, had her tail down, and was very stressed out. The home she went to was everything a scottie could wish for. But it wasnt for her. She immediately perked up in the car ride home, and came in the house and assumed her usual spot on the bed after a check of the property. She never barked herself hoarse again, and her tail was up the entire time she was here.

Throughout several scotties coming and going, Ivy was always here, always growled and nipped occasionally at the others that came to close to me. Ivy always slept next to me. Along with Madeline and the sometimes Gator, they were my pillows, blanket, and the ones to make it impossible to turnover with no rearrangments.

On February 14th, i took Ivy to the vets for an elevated breathing rate. She seemed fine in all other ways. My vet took over a pint of fluid from around her lungs. She stayed at the hospital for 3 days, and had fluids drained, samples taken, and x-rays made. I brought her home to make her life as good as possible for her remaining time. It seems that a tumor had ruptured and was making it difficult to breathe, and surgery and cancer treatments were possibilities, but not very optimistic ones. I chose to do a very difficult thing. I would not put her through any surgeries, or treatments. Ivy was sent home on some steroids and antibiotics. The last week was overall a goodone for her. We had Taco Bell, steaks, lots of treats, and lots of love. On Feb. 22, 2003 at 3:30 in the morning , I awakened and noticed her breathing was not good at all. I turned on the lights, and looked at her. She looked at me, and told me it was finally time to go. Ivy followed me on her own to the treat jar, and happily ate as I made the call to the vet.

At 4:31 in the morning, I held Ivy and cried as she crossed the bridge with the vets help. She will be forever in my heart.  Goodbye Ivy. I will miss you.

maybe in another life, i could find you there......pulled away before your time, i cant deal..its so unfair. and it feels, yes it feels like   heavens so far away. and it seems, yes it seems like...the world has grown cold, now that you've gone away.

put the flowers on your grave, to show that i still care.  black roses and hail marys, wont bring back whats taken from me. i reach towards the sky...and cry out your name....and if i could trade..i would.

words from ' gone away' by the offspring.