It hurts me so badly to say HoneyBear lost her fight Monday afternoon and took her last journey to Heaven. I feel more than heartbroken, I feel broken. She was such a joy to have in our lives. She amazed us everyday with her strength and abilities. She made us laugh with her huge smile and silliness. Most of all she was lovable and sweet, so very sweet. She loved life so much and embraced every situation she was in. She fought cancer with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. We love her so incredibly much and we will miss her more than words can say.
I know this comes as a shock since she has been doing so well. She really has felt great and been very happy up until the last couple weeks. From a medical standpoint her chest x-rays the last couple visits were progressing pretty quickly but luckily they weren’t affecting her ability to breathe. A couple weeks ago she got a stomach ache. The Dr called in some meds and within a couple days it was under control and she was eating again and feeling great. She did start coughing more. Then about a week and a half ago she lost complete function to her hind legs. She still acted happy, ate and drank but couldn’t walk or stand on her own. The Dr said the good news is she wasn’t in any pain and still had her spirit. She said it could either be a spinal tumor growing and pinching a nerve or a stroke to her legs. Since she seemed happy Dr. Wiley told us to go home and enjoy some down time but that “it was getting close.”
We came home and within a day had a routine down for her new handicap. We carried her in and out for potty breaks. She seemed fine for a couple days but then she started being very picky about food and was coughing more. I tried everything food wise and then she finally refused and literally pushed the bowl away with her nose. Her coughing got to the point a couple nights ago that she couldn’t sleep and yesterday she was struggling to breathe. We knew it was time. Somewhere along this journey I forgot this day would come. I always stayed so positive and hopeful that I think I lost reality.
We knew it was a long drive but we wanted her to be with Dr. Wiley and her staff in San Antonio. They love her so much. The 2 1/2 hour drive up there was cloudy and rainy. I sat in the back seat with HoneyBear so she could rest her head on my lap and I could love on her for the last time. Dr Wiley and techs came to the car so she didn’t have to be moved. Even though she was struggling to breathe she still found a way to give me, my husband and Dr Wiley a kiss. She went very peacefully surrounded by love. About 20 seconds after she passed there was a break in the clouds and the sun beamed down on us. My husband and I then looked at each other with tears of joy as we felt God’s presence. It was as if he was extending his hand for HoneyBear to follow him, lifting her spirt with her new angel wings. Since she loved life on earth so much I can imagine how much she must love Heaven.
HoneyBear took a huge piece of our hearts with her and it is definitely going to take some time to heal and as a friend said “relearn life without her.” I am very blessed to have a husband who cares just as much as I do and is being strong for the both of us. He got up for work yesterday at 4 AM then drove us to San Antonio then drove us home and today he had to be up at the same time again. I know he feels the same pain that I do so to me that is the ultimate strength. It is just us now, I know it will take time but we will heal together.
I will continue “HoneyBear’s Hope For A Cure” in any way I can. I will continue to fight in her honor so others have the same fighting chance she did. When we first decided to proceed with her treatment we knew at best we would get 9 months to a year. It has been 16 months. She beat the odds and we had so much fun along the way. In the last year HoneyBear ran on the beach, swam in the lake, floated the river, made tons of new friends, went with us almost everywhere, swam in her pool in the backyard, went to movies in the park, saw the blue angels, celebrated her 10th birthday and raised so much awareness for Osteosarcoma. I am so grateful we spent so much quality time with her and made special memories we will cherish for the rest of our lives. I would go back in a heartbeat and do it all again. The hardest part about loving them is losing them. It is so hard but I believe we will all be together again one day.
Thank you so much HoneyBear for everything you taught us. You were such a gift and a part of you will always live in us. We will miss everything about you; your kisses, your smile, your sweet eyes, your snuggles, your high fives, your wiggly booty when you were excited, your happy dance when we got home from work and your presence that was always by our side. You were always ready for the next adventure. I know you will embrace Heaven with the same passion. We love you “so much” and we know you will always be with us. Until we meet again my love.
~Chogan and HoneyBear are together again, forever~
As hard as I’m crying right now, as devastating as this is to hear, I actually have an imperceptible amile because rhisnis such a beautifully written tribute to sweet HoneyBear. We all want to find a way to bring you comfort somehow, yet your words spoken with your heart somehow give us comfort.
The “title” you have given to this tribute today is EXACTLY how we shoild all embrace each day. Yoy loved eaxh moment as HoneyBear did! Her reality transcended from one moment into the next.
I alwqys enjoyed reading about HoneyBear’s adventures because you made sure exah moment was even more spectacular than the other…which was impossible because each moment was filled with such limitless DIVINE love and noy and fun and happiness!!
I want to come back when I can be a bit more composed (if possible). I want to celebrate with you this MAGNIFICENT dog who honored us all by letting us travel this journey with her…And her devoted humans.
Surrounding you with HoneyBear’s kisses
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
I’m so sorry – I loved reading about Honeybear, loved seeing her smiley face. Your tribute to her is beautiful and I agree with Sally, a comfort to us who would want to comfort you.
Honeybear was a champion of champions, and a beautiful smiley girl, even if I am a sucker for rotties. Run free sweet girl.
surrounding you with hugs.
Teri, the Roxinator and Angel Isa
So sorry for your loss…thank you for sharing these details.
Tears flow as I read your beautiful HoneyBear tribute. She was an amazing Warrior as were her Mom and Dad. I have followed her journey since the beginning and I have fallen in love with her more and more. I hope you can take comfort from remembering her beautiful life filled with love, yours for her and hers for you. Fly free new Angel! She will always remain with you in spirit until you meet again someday. Sending you love and healing light at this absolutely hardest of times.
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
My heart breaks for you. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Odin crossed the bridge a little over a month ago and I know he’s running with your beloved. I know it’s so incredibly hard right now, but it will get a little easier as the weeks go by. You’re in my heart!!!
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Hugs to you & your husband.
Donna
Such a beautiful tribute to your beloved Honeybear. I’m so very sorry that this day had to come and that you and your husband have had to say farewell to her. It sounds like she was a true warrior and fought hard against this vicious disease. I can only hope that we have as much valuable time with out Stewie boy!
Sending hugs and healing prayers!
kisses from Stewie🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his feline siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️.
http://stewie2017.tripawds.com/
I’m so very sorry to hear this, my prayers are with you as you travel this new journey without sweet Honeybear. It’s been 2 months since we said goodbye to Nitro, and I still ache for him everyday. Honeybear had an amazing life, with amazing pawrents who loved her unconditionally…who fought with her and for her. You had the sun break through the clouds as her spirit rose to heaven….we had a cardinal appear less than an hour after Nitro’s earthly body left us. Your faith, your friends and your love for each other will help you through these next days. The Bridge is indeed rocking with all the Tripawd heroes that have recently crossed over. Wishing you peace…
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
I am so sorry you lost your sweet girl. What can I say—losing my heartdog was probably the worst grief I have ever felt. So I totally understand what you are feeling right now. What a last year (and life) you had with Honey Bear! So many wonderful memories you can hold in your heart when you are missing her so badly. Thank you for sharing your girl with us.
Run free Honey Bear!
Sending you peace and love,
Xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
OMG, Sweet Honeybear. I’m so sorry. Ugh we all know how horrible this part of the journey is. I wish I had some words of wisdom except that Honeybear is always with you. Look for the signs. I’m so sorry, it sucks with they become our angels. Crying right now
xoxo
Julie and Tripawd Alumni Spirit Buddy
HoneyBear was one of a kind – with one of a kind pawrents. Sheena, you and sal were the best God could pick for HoneyBear to show you what LIFE is about. Trust that she is pain free as she runs in Heaven. <3
I am so sorry. I don’t know how I missed this post about Honey Bear. I have followed her journey. I live your triumphs with her. I know this is the hardest part of our journey. One I wish no one had to go on.
You said it so right when you said the hardest part of loving them is losing them.
You and your husband gave her a great life she got to live the life that most Rotties want to live. You gave her a pool , many trips and lots of love.
My thoughts are with you and your husband as you start this journey. Honey Bear will let you know she is around watch for her signs. I know that Bridge is having some parties.
xoxxoox
Michelle and Angel Sassy
Another beautiful Rottweiler is gone. I am so very sad to hear this. HoneyBear had an incredible life, and I hope all the special memories carry you through this difficult time.
Bawling.