Dog: Brandi – Briarwood, NY

Dog: Brandi – Briarwood, NY (04/27/1997 – 06/12/2009)

Brandi was a Labrador & Grey Hound mix. She was adopted from the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington Long Island New York. At that time my boyfriend and I decided to get a puppy to keep me company as he worked as a flight attendant in order for me to have some companionship.

I had decided to adopt a male dog and call him Brandon. Once at the North Shore Animal League, I fell in love with a beautiful puppy that turned out to be a girl. I had to have her. Needless to say, Brandon became Brandi.

Brandi was a dog full of energy and love. The type of loving girl that cries when you leave and when you come back, even if you were gone only 5 minutes. Brandi was friendly with all people and other animals. She was the welcoming committee. I slept with her everyday until she became a senior dog and she could not make it onto the bed anymore. As Brandi became older and more ill my boyfriend prepared her meals daily. Yes, home cooked meals and managed to keep her weight under control in the most amazing way.

Brandi developed a cancerous tumor on her neck. Fortunately the tumor was on the outside of her body. For about four years I would surgically remove this tumor that kept growing back bigger and bigger. I removed about 4 tumors a year for 4 years. Last year the tumor stop growing. It seemed as if the fight was won. The vet was impressed with this and said I added at least two years to her life. Brandi was always very good during this procedure. It was very upsetting for me to do this and the healing process was a battle in itself, with a moving dog with a thick coat.

In the last year Brandi developed more tumors but they were in her abdomen and hind legs. She became lethargic most of the time. There were times when she was full of energy and would play with Apollo, our second dog that was adopted to give Brandi a companion at age 6. Brandi had her own dog. Brandi was the type of dog that always seemed to be happy and smiling.

Brandi developed very bad arthritis, where walking became more about collapsing. Along with that came incontinence as well. When she got to the point that she would not attempt to drink water or eat unless it was brought to her and the fact she could not climb the stairs to get inside anymore, it was time to put her to sleep.

It was a decision that to this day we cry and have suffered a terrible loss. We were with Brandi to the last breath at the vet’s office. I was face to face with her and kissed her lots. Very ill humans do not have it this good. She literally feel asleep quick and without pain.

Brandi was cremated and her ashes are kept in an urn with a beautiful Brass plate, that has her photo as the one seen in the memorial.

(Apollo meets Silas)

Silas, a Jack Russel Terrier immediately became a new member of the family to help us recover in such a horrible time of mourning. Silas came to his new home at 10 weeks old. He has definitely helped with the pain of the loss of our beloved Brandi. It has been a month and I still wake up crying. I still find myself looking for her…

There is a song on the radio that keeps coming on that goes “FIRST TIME, EVER I SAW YOUR FACE” and I think of Brandi and start crying. I find myself saying in my mind everyday “Good morning Brandi, Good night Brandi, I love you Brandi, God please hold her for me for when I arrive” daily.

(Apollo misses Brandi)

Our dog Apollo is still mourning Brandi terribly. He has been completely inactive and sometimes has to be convinced to eat. Apollo is just opening up to Silas after nearly a month. Yes, dogs do mourn other dogs. Even though we are grateful for Silas, who has made it a little easier, Brandi’s absence is still very much real.

Brandi, you will be in our hearts forever and we thank you for all the love you have given your whole life. We love you.

Mario Alvarado, Perry Mondidu, Bobby Dean, Apollo Alvarado

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This poem is Brandi ….. the best girl in the world:

The Rainbows Bridge Poem

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Tagged as: deceased dog, dog, dog passing