Saturday, August 15, 2009

A Special Saturday - Sad but Sweet Memories

About two years ago, we got the news we did not want to hear - our sweet girl Dakota had Cushing's Disease. At that time, the oncologist gave her about a year more of life IF the treatment worked. About three months later, the decision was made to stop the treatment because it wasn't working and it was just making her so sick. We were prepared for the worst. But our dreams of making it to her 11th birthday in August of 2008 came true and we were so happy. We wondered if it were possible to dream some more and make it to #12. We almost made it but the Siberian Heavens had other plans for our princess.

Dakota still lives in our hearts and so today, on what would have been her 12th birthday, we wanted to send her some birthday wishes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO OUR BEAUTIFUL SISTER DAKOTA!!!

Thanks to Zoolatry for the beautiful collage.

WE LOVE YOU AND WE REALLY MISS YOU.

Phantom and Dakota have been working hard to help keep the memory of Dakota alive for Mom and Dad. There are so many little things about Dakota that we all remember and miss. Here are a couple of flashback photos and the pack's current efforts to keep the past with us.

Flashback:


Today:


Flashback:


Today:





Woos and all our love to Dakota and all her new furiends across the Rainbow Bridge, Phantom and Thunder

Note from Mom: Phantom is lying in one of Dakota's favorite kitchen spots, by the wall with the pillar. He and Dakota always used to compete to see who could get the resting spot on the loveseat. Interestingly, Phantom has not been on the loveseat once since Dakota's passing. Thunder, on the other hand, has decided to keep her spot warm.

66 comments:

  1. Even though she is no longer there with you in body, Dakota will always be there in spirit, and celebrating her birthday is a wonderful way of celebrating all the joy you shared with her. Happy Birthday Princess Dakota!

    Your Friends,
    Tommy, Tama-Chan and Sei-Chan

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  2. I think Tommy and his sispurrrrs pawed it khwite well!

    Happy Birthday Dakota!

    I think Phantom and Thunder Dunder will enjoy having some khake and your favourite ice khream in your honour!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  3. As you said, sad but sweet memories -- we know Dakota will always be with you in spirit and the memories will grow sweeter and help heal he sadness.

    Happy Birthday over the Bridge, Dakota!!

    Jake and Just Harry

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  4. That's so sweet. A special post for a special day.
    Dakota will always be with you!
    Tail wags,
    Storms

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  5. how sweet to celebrate her memory....don't be too sad as she's in a good place

    Princess Dakota, i know you are happy playing on your birthday

    chikisses,
    coco

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  6. Wooos! A very special Birthday remembrance. We are touched, and so we wish you all well. You have be loved by an Angel and she is still with you each and every moment.
    -Kira The BeaWootiful

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  7. What a beautiful graphic of Dakota and a sweet post. We wish Dakota was here to celebrate her birthday. Thunder & Phantom, we hope you get to honor your sister with some doggy cake and ice cream!

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  8. Great collage of Dakota and the yellow flowers...

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  9. I can see the memory is still alive =) happy birthday Dakota

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  10. Happy Barkday over the Rainbow Bridge, Dakota. Phantom and Thunder are certainly presenting beautiful memories of you today - I'm sure they will celebrate your very special day and spirit with ice cream? We think of you very often, dear Dakota and send hugs to your sibe sibs and family.
    Huggers so
    Sammie

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  11. It just proves you don't have to say Goodbye . . .the spirit of a good dog stays with you forever!

    Kisses,
    Stella

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  12. Very sweet tribute!

    The flashback photos brought tears to our eyes.

    Have extra fun today with all your new friends at the bridge today Dakota!

    Lots of Luv & Kisses
    Addie, Lucie, and Hailey

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  13. That is so sweet that Phantom and Thunder are sharing Dakota's duties. Dakota was such a great pup, it takes two other pups to fill her paws.

    Kat

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  14. Princess Dakota will always be a very special girl. I'm sure the boys still chat with her especially when they're laying in her favorite spots.

    We'll light a candle in her honor tonight.

    Princess Eva & Brice

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  15. That was so lovely! It's important to remember and share the happy memories.

    Happy Birthday Dakota!

    Take care
    Clive

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  16. Beautiful... this is paraphrasing a poem I once read...

    "the rose that grows beyond the garden wall is out of sight, yet it's fragrance lingers on"

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  17. Dakota was precious. I know you miss her terribly. You gave her a wonderful life here on earth and you will be all together again someday.

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  18. Happy Birthday North of the Rainbow Bridge, Dakota! Be sure to find my angel sister Moon...her birthday was August 12. She left us in 2005 and we still think of her & miss her. You will always live on in our memories.
    Bea-wootiful pictures.

    Love,
    Skye, the Moondance Huskies,kitties and mom Joan

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  19. Such a sweet post, Happy 12th birthday beautiful Princess Dakota.
    She will always be part of your lives - how great that you had the extra time with her.
    When Harry died my little nephew said that it would be lovely for Gran and Grandad to have Harry to take for walks in Heaven.
    The young tend to be much less complicated than adults!
    xxx

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  20. Sweet Dakota will be watching and sending down lots of love to you, just as she did when shen was here.I didn't know her long but long enough to know she was very special. Lovely post in rememberence.
    Hugs GJ xx

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  21. Thank you for sharing. She was a very beautiful dog. I love your new banner - what a wonderful way to remember her!

    Happy Birthday, Dakota!

    Sam

    www.howsamseesit.blogspot.com

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  22. She'll live forever in your heart. We lost Lucy to Cushings last year and now our Morgan has it.

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  23. What a beautiful post! Dakota will live on forever in all of our hearts!
    Happy birthday, Dakota!

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  24. The memories can be so bittersweet. I lost my GSD, Tony, one day shy of his 12th birthday to cancer. That was in 1997 and to this day, I can remember the loss as if it was yesterday. Some dogs leave such deep paw-prints that they can never be filled.

    Sending soft purrs from my kitties and gentle nuzzles from the pooches to your heart.

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  25. What a lovely post! When a dog becomes a part of the family they leave paw prints on your heart and will never be forgoton.

    -Mollie and Bobo

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  26. Dakota is having angel food cake at the all you can eat buffet with our sister Winnie Wiggles today, and lounging on the softest cloud. Happy birthday beautiful angel! We have put your picture on our bloggy.
    xxxxooo
    pughugs from Texas...

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  27. Hi, You Guys...

    What a Beautiful Birthday Post for Princess Dakota...

    Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl...

    Abby xxxooo

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  28. Happy Birthday to Dakota at the Bridge! We wish you could have had her here too for this birthday.

    love & wags,
    River

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  29. Oh what a wonderful post. We know that Dakota is truly missed and is close to your heart... Remember the good times.. She surprised us all...

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

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  30. Happy Birthday Sweet Dakota!
    Sure this is a special day!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  31. What a great post and a beautiful collage! Happy birthday sweet Dakota!

    Mochi

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  32. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET PRINCESS DAKOTA!!!!
    Awwwwwwww...what a sweet post dear friends..and the collage is wonderful!!
    She was sooooooooooo beautiful....like a princess...
    YES!!!A special post for a special day!!!!!
    Dakota will always be with you!!!
    Run free sweet girl!!!
    WE LOVE YOU now and FUREVER!!!!

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  33. Happy Birthday Dakota. We all miss you, but we are sure you are enlivening North of the Rainbow Bridge. Betting you and Nikita are the best of pals causing all sorts of mischief.

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  34. Note back to Mom:

    I was looking at some new blogs and I found one about a woman who has several dogs but one is a Chow-Huskey mix. This dog only eats three times a week. She has taken him to the vet, he is in ripping good health and so she just feeds him high calorie food when he wants it and thats it. Everybody is happy. Perhaps you know this woman who has Portugese Water Dogs, lives in Missouri. You can probably find them on DWB. Cheers and hugs, Jo and Stella

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  35. We're sending special birthday wishes to the rainbow bridge just for you Dakota.

    Thinking of you
    Noah Willow Tess Lucy

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  36. Keep those memories flowing. As well as photos, thoughts and smiles. These warm our hearts.

    A really nice birthday tribute.

    Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
    Sierra Rose

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  37. Happy Birthday Angel Princess Dakota. Have a great bash
    up there with lots of yummy things to eat.
    Love Ruby & Penny

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  38. Happy Biwfday in heaven angel Dakota..I hope my angel sissie and bwuvvew gave you smoochies fow me today. someday I'll do it in pawson
    ouw heawts awe wif you and youw family
    Sweet memowies
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  39. Aweee...she was so purty!

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  40. Thanks for sharing. The photos are amazing. I'm glad you have the boys to keep you company and Dakota's memory alive.

    xo martine

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  41. Happy Birthday Dakota! Dat's pawfully sweet of you to celebrate her memory, i'm pawsitive she's smiling and very very happy to know that she's always remembered and treasured! Me and mommy are getting teary eyed again..(sob)Have a great day and we're gonna have a piece of cake in honour of the Princess!!

    Cheers,
    Maxx & Mommy

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  42. What a beautiful Birthday Tribute to Dakota.
    Her memory will never fade. It lives in your heart forever.
    We know how you miss her.
    Her legacy lives on.
    love
    tweedles

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  43. A lovely tribute to a lovely girl.
    Happy Barkday @ the Bridge Dakota!

    Pats & pets
    Blue

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  44. Woo there Boyz~
    We're sending our woos to the North so Dakota will know she is thought of often. A beautiful, brave girl should have a song of her own for her birthday....
    WOO -A- ROOO Dakota.
    Your pal,
    Summii

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  45. Beautiful Dakota, what a nice tribute. She will always be in your heart. It is so nice to remember her in that special way.

    Anne and Sasha

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  46. Happy birthday, sweet Dakota. I see that you passed along your favorite relaxation moves.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  47. What wonderful memories you have of Dakota. I think blogging helps us keep those memories alive and we take pictures we probably would not have taken.

    Happy Birthday Princess Dakota.

    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

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  48. ROO ROOO Whoo to Dakota!
    It's amazing how the memory is kept alive in little ways! NOrwood

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  49. 2 paws and 4 hands in the air for Princess Dakota. The tears are still fresh for the loss of her, Sabo, and all the other lovely ones who made it across the bridge. I know they are playing together right now and that brings me a smile. Sabos birthday comes in Oct. Today we think of Dakota. Happy Birthday beewootiful.

    Your friends the house of Oz,

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  50. Of course, happy ever birthday for her...

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  51. She is definitely in a special part of heaven where only the best can live!

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  52. We are sure Dakota is having a wonderful party at the rainbow bridge and knows that you are thinking of her on her special day.

    Happy Birthday Dakota! You live on here in our memories. ~S,S,C & F

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  53. Happy Birthday Dakota dear!
    Hope woo have khake and frosty paws to celebrate! is Sherman at the party too? He'll be the golden huskyboy waiting politely for seconds!


    Woos & a-roos,
    Star & Jack a-roo

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  54. what a wonderful tribute to such a sweet girl - we will light a candle for her birthday

    Phantom and Thunder what great job helping your pawrents remember dakota and keeping her spots safe

    Woodrow - Sweetie - Sherman

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  55. Happy Birthday, Princess Angel Dakota!

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  56. awe happy birthday to beautiful Princess Dakota.

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  57. Sending happy thoughts your way...I know the heartache of losing a pup you love so much...we lost our 'Cassie' over 5 years ago and it still hurts...we went to see Marley and Me, and I got into the 'ugly cry' as Oprah would call it, the last 40 minutes of that movie...it was like reliving the whole experience over again...wish the BIG dogs lived as long as the little ones, but I do believe all dogs do go to Heaven...yeah, and I suppose the cats too...

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  58. That is really sweet of Phantom and Thunder to celebrate Dakota's birthday! Dakota will always be there with you!

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  59. Happy Birthday to beautiful Dakota! Isn't it amazing how apparent it is that TD and Phantom miss her? I am sure they remind you of her daily by doing things she would have done.
    Snuggles,
    Twix

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  60. Happy Birthday Dakota!!! I bet you are having a total blast at the rainbow bridge. Love all the pics!

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  61. O... Happy Birfday Sweet Dakota!

    I know you all miss her very very much, and what a wonderful way to honor her on this special occasion. I am misty, but I thank you so much for sharin these pitchers, memories... and the special ways Dakota is bein honored.

    If I was there wif you, I would lean into you real good... on a counta that's the way I hug.

    wif love from the Luke

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  62. Happy birthday Dakota and big hugs to you all xx

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  63. What a great way for you all to remember your sister. We are so sorry for your loss but are happy to see that you are keeping her memory alive. Dakota will always be with you in your hearts. She was a very lovely girl.

    Chihuahua kisses,
    Bentley & Lexus (& Mom too)

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  64. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  65. Sorry we are late here, our human has not kept up that well on blogs this past few days.

    Dakota was a very special girl and she will always be with you in spirit. We are sure she was with you for her birthday.


    Holly & Zac...XX

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