I have used the word overwhelmed so many times this past week that it has almost lost it's meaning. But I am once again, overwhelmed. First, by all the wonderfully supportive prayers and support, then by the joy everyone shared with me, then by all the financial support by phone and mail, then by lovely notes of condolence, then by those who picture Ari as I do.
I sat here yesterday at the computer. And as a kind of therapy, I just read all the incoming thoughts of Ari. It was so helpful to me, I want you all to know. I have sent an e-mail, upon the passing of a beloved berner, and often thought "what are my words going to mean" or "what can a few words do"? I assure you that those individual words, when joined with hundreds of others, create a tidal wave of love. And something else I've noted. The people who write "I don't know what to say" or " words cannot express" must have to look very deeply into their hearts to continue. Because what they say next is so often the most moving thing I've ever read. Bacchus is not a good candidate for amputation. He has a bad left elbow and had partially torn his right rear cruciate ligament a few years back. Not bad enough for surgery, but I can already see it is taking a strain on him. I talked about many, many options with the vet today, even limb sparing surgery. I know what I have to do. And I welcome all help as I support him with diet and love and pain med when we need it. I hope you all don't think I am giving up on Bacchus. It's just that we all know where this leads inevitably. Cathi with Bacchus
