Last Friday, February 15th, a dear friend, volunteer and foster mom had to say goodbye to her best friend and first boxer, Kashmir. She has asked us to post this tribute in Kashmir's memory. Rest in peace darling Kash! Our thoughts are with our friend during this difficult time.
As I sit here typing, it’s 3am and it dawns on me that this is the first time I’ve ever lost sleep over anything. It’s been two days since you crossed the bridge and quite frankly, I don’t know how to live without you, my darling baby girl. I am shattered and I am not sure I will be able to put the pieces of my heart back together. Your brother Kramer misses you, and so does your foster brother, even after only having known you for three short weeks. That’s how amazing you were. Everyone loved you. I fell in love with you after meeting you for the first time, when you were just a baby, almost nine years ago. How I wish I could have nine more. How I wish I could have a lifetime with you. You were the light of my life, my trusty companion and every moment good or bad was shared with you. That’s why I say, I don’t know how to live without you…
When we found your illness at Christmas, I thought I was going to lose you right away, or perhaps have to help you cross the bridge. I cried and stayed at your side for hours on end, just holding you and sleeping beside you. I had always feared the day I would lose you and never thought it would be so soon. But then a miracle happened and we managed to treat you, and you gave me nearly two gloriously happy months where you were just like a puppy again, so happy and carefree. Full-blow, uninterrupted, crazy, goofy 100% Kashmir through and through. My little girl reborn! And I cherished every minute with you because I somehow always knew you were on borrowed time from that point on, it was just too good to be true. When I brought you to the vet on Valentine’s day after you had your first seizure since starting the treatments, they told me they would have to keep you overnight to make sure you were ok. You loved that vet’s office and the staff so much, and they loved you too… because of that I wasn’t worried about leaving you in their care and thought I would be picking you up the next day. We all thought this was just a little bump in the road. If I would’ve known you would be breathing your last breath the next morning my pretty girl I would’ve slept beside you in the cage. I am so sorry that I wasn’t by your side when you crossed the bridge. I did everything I could to help you, I would have sold the house and car if money could have saved you but you must’ve been too good for this earth and your time had come. I know you went gently and were not suffering, and I hope you can forgive me for not being with you at that time. Please know that I was thinking of you, that I am always thinking of you, that you are in my heart always and I love you every minute of every day and I will continue to do so forever. I have never felt as broken or empty as I do now, my heart will be forever scarred. I hate the thought of not having you beside me, but I know you are with me in spirit. The last time I saw you was on Valentine’s day and I remember thinking that you have my heart. You have the most beautiful soul and I am so honoured to have been your mommy. Thank you for giving me the best years of my life and for loving me back unconditionally. May you rest in peace my pretty girl and I cannot wait to see you at the bridge. I love you.
Rest in peace Kashmir
12 April 2004 – 15 February 2013
As I sit here typing, it’s 3am and it dawns on me that this is the first time I’ve ever lost sleep over anything. It’s been two days since you crossed the bridge and quite frankly, I don’t know how to live without you, my darling baby girl. I am shattered and I am not sure I will be able to put the pieces of my heart back together. Your brother Kramer misses you, and so does your foster brother, even after only having known you for three short weeks. That’s how amazing you were. Everyone loved you. I fell in love with you after meeting you for the first time, when you were just a baby, almost nine years ago. How I wish I could have nine more. How I wish I could have a lifetime with you. You were the light of my life, my trusty companion and every moment good or bad was shared with you. That’s why I say, I don’t know how to live without you…
When we found your illness at Christmas, I thought I was going to lose you right away, or perhaps have to help you cross the bridge. I cried and stayed at your side for hours on end, just holding you and sleeping beside you. I had always feared the day I would lose you and never thought it would be so soon. But then a miracle happened and we managed to treat you, and you gave me nearly two gloriously happy months where you were just like a puppy again, so happy and carefree. Full-blow, uninterrupted, crazy, goofy 100% Kashmir through and through. My little girl reborn! And I cherished every minute with you because I somehow always knew you were on borrowed time from that point on, it was just too good to be true. When I brought you to the vet on Valentine’s day after you had your first seizure since starting the treatments, they told me they would have to keep you overnight to make sure you were ok. You loved that vet’s office and the staff so much, and they loved you too… because of that I wasn’t worried about leaving you in their care and thought I would be picking you up the next day. We all thought this was just a little bump in the road. If I would’ve known you would be breathing your last breath the next morning my pretty girl I would’ve slept beside you in the cage. I am so sorry that I wasn’t by your side when you crossed the bridge. I did everything I could to help you, I would have sold the house and car if money could have saved you but you must’ve been too good for this earth and your time had come. I know you went gently and were not suffering, and I hope you can forgive me for not being with you at that time. Please know that I was thinking of you, that I am always thinking of you, that you are in my heart always and I love you every minute of every day and I will continue to do so forever. I have never felt as broken or empty as I do now, my heart will be forever scarred. I hate the thought of not having you beside me, but I know you are with me in spirit. The last time I saw you was on Valentine’s day and I remember thinking that you have my heart. You have the most beautiful soul and I am so honoured to have been your mommy. Thank you for giving me the best years of my life and for loving me back unconditionally. May you rest in peace my pretty girl and I cannot wait to see you at the bridge. I love you.
Rest in peace Kashmir
12 April 2004 – 15 February 2013