Survivors and Celebrations

Loree Beth F. Sowards' Story

As I was laying in a hospital bed, my Dad and were discussing my next steps in life. All I kept saying was "Dad I really just need a dog." I had never owned a dog before, but I felt like I needed something "like a dog." It's sounds so ridiculous, now that I have learned so much about caring for animals. Little did I know that I wouldn't just love something, I would form an eternal emotional very strong loving bond with another soul. His name was Boaz. One day from returning home from the hospital, a friend of mine called me and said "I know you've been looking for a dog, and well, we have one." I don't think I could put the keys in the ignition fast enough. As I got out of the car, this little furry fluff of black and tan just ran up to me and gave me a great big lick on the cheek. I was in heaven and I felt instant healing occurring in my body. And so began our journey together. What a life blessing. Boaz was so many things to me: my running partner, hiking partner, walking partner, swimming partner, lounging partner, on the "lookout" partner....he was exactly what I need walking by my side through that phase of my life. Six years later, enter my future husband. I think Boaz and I fell in love with him together!!! I treasured watching my dog develop an incredible bond with an incredible man. We were both smitten. We were so happy, and life was just right for three glorious years. And then he limped on June 5, 2009. Boaz just picked up his front right leg with tennis ball in mouth and stopped. We knew something was seriously wrong. After a battery of xrays, test, and bloodwork, cancer was ruled out. What a relief!! Thinking his big 3 yr old benign tumor on his shoulder was probably starting to affect his range of motion, we decided with our vet to have it removed. He never got better. On the morning of July 8, 2009 I was so excited, I was picking up my wedding dress. In my head, this was to be my glorious dress day!! Life had another plan for me that day. My beloved Boaz couldn't move. He just lifted up his head, looked at me, and with a sigh quietly layed his head back down. I was devastated inside b/c I knew he was really hurting. With the amount of pain medication he was on he should have at least been able to "manage". After all, he was just recovering from a simple tumor removal. Of course, I think I knew what was possible, and I was already dying inside with him. Managing to carry him in the car, we headed back to the vet. In a few hours, it was confirmed: Bone Cancer...everywhere. Cancer ravaged my precious friend in 5 short weeks. A million emotions ripped through my mind; confusion, guilt, fear, anger, frustration, and utter utter sadness. After two hours of debating with each other what to do, we chose to ease his suffering and helped our beloved Boaz, the kinsmen redeemer, transition into the next phase of his existence. Life without Boaz has just become a new normal. His photos and memories surround us at all times; he surrounds us at all times. I imagine he's playing fetch with a tennis ball no doubt. I imagine that maybe he reunited with his mother, father, and possibly siblings and other dog friends he made along the way. I imagine that he is just living a new normal, in a new place. I imagine that one day our normal lives will again wonderfully and beautifully collide. I can't wait.