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Impulse

by Jim Casey

“This was written only a few short weeks before we somewhat shockingly had to release our baby girl, Impulse, from what no doubt would have been a suffering she did not deserve. The devastation of her loss is made slightly more comfortable by the knowledge that we celebrated her daily and we were blessed and proud to share her with everyone. The words written here were never truer of Impulse, than in her final days and moments. We remain in gratitude to you for your care, and to her, always. She came into our lives somewhat unexpectedly yet fueled by a force of destiny surrounding the moment, choosing, and immediate attraction that grew quickly to love. She has spent almost the entirety of her almost sixteen years secured in our collective hearts. Impulse, our toy Poodle, is tiny at eleven pounds; all spiral curls and heart. We thought she would be a perfect companion for our disabled, Zen-like, somewhat sedentary dog, Legacy, and though she was that in many of their years together, she became my touchstone. In times of sadness or fear she has helped quiet the tears, her soft affability evidenced by kisses offered freely, and patience beyond compare. She has been cradled, coddled and snuggled- this familial, unfettered, teddy-bear-like mascot of sweetness. At the age of nine, the shadows that rolled in and robbed Impulse of her eyesight, in turn cast a light on the truest core of her being. Her cureless, hereditary disease was compromised further by cataracts, yet she transitioned so smoothly we questioned the diagnosis. She continues to navigate her way outside, scaling a couple of steps, and though she no longer jumps on her favorite couch, where she sat perched on the back as she took in the energies all around her, she did so for many years when it seemed impossible for her to manage. A veterinarian once told me, her blindness would likely be harder for our family than Impulse. I mourned all the things that she easily let go of as though they were nothing but trappings anyway. It was as if to say, “I don’t need to see all of you because I know you. I am safe and adored, and it is enough.” Her code is simple: trust fully. What may have been taken from her, she freely gave. She reminds us daily that it is our choice to seize our moments, to transcend what we cannot control. And, if the cookie smells good? Eat it.”

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Legacy

Legacy Sweetheart Casey
1998-2013

For our beloved Legacy, born with deformed front legs and paws, every day of her life presented a challenge that she was more than up for meeting. Always a survivor, we adopted Legacy at age one from Homeward Bound, the group that had rescued her from death row at a Duluth, MN shelter. After several surgeries to correct her front leg maladies as best we could, Legacy continued to draw looks from people as we took her on her slow, daily walks. She was reborn when we brought home Impulse, her Toy Poodle sister, as a tiny puppy. The two played with reckless abandon and for 14 years have shared their daily walks and multitude of dog beds. She racked up impressive road miles on our annual treks from MN to CA and loved boat rides, snow and sitting on the front porch fiercely guarding our home and watching passersby. Legacy was confronted with a myriad of health issues over her lifetime that she took in stride; rarely missing a daily walk or a meal! When her hips started to fail her after years of overcompensating for her front legs, Legacy took to wearing a hiking harness with ease which made it infinitely easier to carry her from place to place when she needed it; though she always wanted to try doing things herself first. Her spirit was resilient beyond measure. In recent months, sometimes daily trips to the Vet for fluids and check-ups, became a blessed ritual. Our team of Veterinarians always greeted her with love and awe at her strength and trust in their care. Failing kidneys could ultimately not be overcome, but we are grateful that we were able to help ease her passage to the other side without making her suffer unnecessary pain or indignities. We are honored to have been her caretakers and for her teaching us about strength through adversity. We will think of her every day and see her again when we too pass from this earth. – Caryn, Jim, Siera, Carlie, Impulse and Dharma Casey