Ali lives in Oregon and

owns our travel writer,

Jane Ross and her

husband M.E.

Katie lives in Tennessee with Gary and Brenda Tucker. Katy can play 'ball' with you by bouncing it back to you with her nose. Katie may be a mom soon !

   

Parkie is a  member of  Ron

and Patti Hager's family

in Kentucky.

Rosie is the companion of

another Virtuality writer,

Mary Whitlaw.

Sandy Abraham, owner of

Nan and Tom Abraham

Gingi and Kyna live in Kentucky

and share their home with

Carol Carl Mcleod

M I S T Y by Brigitte Zimmer

Misty, Brigitte and Wolf Zimmer's pet,

It doesn’t seem like it’s been over 4 years since we put our dog to sleep and it’s been just about that long since I’ve been living with Parkinsons. Our dog, a gentle, loving Lab and Border Collie was growing old and feeble about the same time that I was going through some tests and seeing a Neurologist who confirmed that I had Parkinsons.

Because of my job, I couldn’t tell anyone for the time being except my husband. It was so good to have Misty to talk to during those early weeks when the realization hit me that I was sick for the first time in my life. This time it was not me being the strong one, seeing the kids through some crises or illness, or solving problems for others. This time the problem was mine and I still felt I had to be strong for my family. I couldn’t let them see me cry or have them feel sorry for me.

Misty, our dog was the only one with whom I could let my guard down. I could hold her and cry and tell her
how scared I really was, not knowing what the future now held for me. I told her about all our plans for
retirement and all the travelling we were going to do. She let me stroke her while I talked and cried and I felt better for it. It felt good to let it out and have her to talk to and hold. It helped me come to terms with it. The dog was a great comfort to me when I needed her and she enjoyed all this cuddling and talking during the last weeks and days of her life.

Yes, the dog has brightened all of our lives at some time or other. She brought joy and laughter into our lives and gave us all someone to confide our inner most secrets to. Even the kids would tell their problems to the dog long before they would discuss them with us. Misty was a member of our family; in fact she thought she was one of the kids. When I called everyone for dinner she would be the first one at the table.

During that first month after my diagnosis I was looking for the right moment to tell my two children, wanting them to enjoy a little more of the carefree summer before the rat race claimed them once more and I hit them with my news. The moment came sooner than I expected.

On a bright summer morning in August our pet who had been a part of our lives for almost 15 years was unable to get up and was also very breathless. I called the vet from work and agreed to meet him at home where mydaughter was looking after the dog. The vet pronounced that it was time to put Misty down and while Christine and I held her in our arms Misty took her last breath.

After the vet left with our dog we tried to console each other. We both felt the loss and a deep sense of sadness. I decided that this was as good a time as any to tell my daughter that I had PD. She was shocked by the news but her thoughts were still with Misty so it was easier than I thought it would be. I told my son that night too and then the other family members during the days that followed.

Even after four years we still think of Misty and how she helped us get over life’s hurdles and reduced our stress soulful eyes. Our lives were enriched from that day in May when my daughter picked up a black and white puppy in the flea market and refused to let him go.