Last Uninjured Picture

I took this picture at 8:16 am on the fateful day. She is uninjured at this time. Sleeping peacefully. Little did we know that she had an appointment with Gaia, Mother Earth, in just over thirteen hours.
8/2/2020

At Animal House, Vet Clinic

A herd of Muskox came into the gravel pits while I was walking with her. She faced them defiantly, protecting me, and was mortally wounded. Here she is at the Vet's office.
8/2/2020

Hip Injury

Poked by a horn in her hip. Looks ugly; serious but not not life-threatening.

For a while we thought this was all, and that she would recover. It was not to be ...
8/2/2020

Last Picture of her Alive

We discovered her back had been pierced by a horn, thru the lung. She was bleeding internally, her tongue and gums were very pale. She had both a pneumothorax and a hemothorax. We brought her home from the Vet, and started our vigil. Time 7:29 pm. Only 1:56 to go.
8/2/2020

End of Vigil

At 9:25 pm she gave a little yelp, and she relaxed and embarked upon her journey. I called Renee, she ran downstairs and was just in shock. I snapped this picture of her, Renee and friend Jessica Joe, just a few minutes after she passed. She looks at peace. Sydney now walks in beauty.
8/2/2020

Resting in Her Grave

We laid her in her grave at 10:04 pm, sorrounded by flowers. We had this dug last fall -just in case- because she was so weak and out of it then. But, she rallied this spring, and we went for walks and gentle runs. She gave her life defending me.
8/2/2020

The Garden of Joy and Sorrow

In back: Skipper's Home; Middle: Memorial for Lacey; In foreground: Sydneys Home

It is all about Love and Respect. She is not gone; I know where she is. She is home, she is safe and she is loved.

Memorial Sept 11, 2020

Those of us who ran this group of dogs, gathered here by her graveside, to respect these animals that brought so much joy --and sorrow-- to us.

Present at the Garden of Joy and Sorrow

• Victoria Simpson, for Nona and Pixie
• Renee Gandia, for Sydney
• Thomas Ilmar, for Skipper
• Autumn Falls, for Rembrandt
• Marcia Jennings, for Strider
• Nisi Gandia (by picture), for Lacey
• Ramon Gandia, as Garden Keeper

Copyright © 2018, Ramon Gandia

Lay me to Rest in a Field of Flowers

From my back porch is my flowery yard and Sydney's roaming grounds. Willows, gravel pits, trails. She loved it; and that is where she got mortally wounded, and where she is buried. She was a warrior; and defended me and this place to her last breath. Picture taken 8/2/2018, exactly two years before.