Zena Coldicott

OUR LOVELY ZENA WENT TO JOIN DEAR BEN (25.6.2010)

REMEMBERING ZENA FROM LORNA

You came to us three and a half years ago, with your big brother Ben. Sadly Ben could only stay with us for six weeks then went to Rainbow Bridge. You were a lively 11 year old girlie with a zest for life and although you didn’t know how to play, you did try to learn from us. In the end, we realised that as long as you had a soft toy to carry around, you were happy. Many is the time that you have insisted on taking one on a walk only to drop it just down the road, so that I was forced to carry it for the rest of the way. You always greeted us with your teddies when we came home.

In spite of your obvious joy at living with us, you seemed a little lost when Ben had gone, so we asked IRR for a friend for you and that’s when Merlin came to live with us too. You took to him straight away even though he wasn’t interested in any of us much at first. He had recently had an operation to remove a lump on his shoulder and the evening before he came to meet us, he pulled the drain from his wound, so that he could impress you no doubt. You let him into your life and accepted him as your new friend. Just over a year ago, you also let a very elderly Della into your life and accepted her as part of your family too. You have always been willing to share us with your doggie friends, but pushed them out of the way if you felt left out and they always let you, knowing you were the boss.

You have had us very worried several times since you came into our lives. You had a series of vestibular attacks, the first of which was so severe that we thought we would lose you then, but you fought back even though it meant living with a questioning tilt to your pretty head.

Then you were very poorly eighteen months ago and you had a full hysterectomy for ovarian tumours and a mammary tumour removed at the same time. You were so ill that I didn’t know whether you would make it through the operation, but I knew we had to try as you seemed to want to stay. I think everyone was pleasantly surprised when you made it through and all your sponsors will remember the swimsuit solution we came up with so that your dressing would stay in place and to keep you from removing those itchy stitches. You insisted on going for walks just two days after the operation, so I knew you had decided to fight it and by working together we managed to overcome it and you got well. So well in fact that we managed to go to the IRR reunion last year and you took a turn around the ring with the rescue dogs in your year and then with the sponsor dogs – your photo is there on the website to prove it. You met lots of people who knew you and some who didn’t, but you loved them all and let them make a huge fuss of you. We’ve always had such fun writing your sponsor letters.

Just last week we took photos of you for the sponsor dog calendar next year, not realising what was in store just a few days later. I have been sleeping downstairs with you since your major op and Thursday night was just so terrible that we spent it awake together. You were coughing and being sick and I was cleaning up and comforting you. We spent the night cuddled together with me getting more and more concerned. In the morning the vet gave you anti-biotics, but by mid afternoon things were so much worse and your sparkle had gone. We rushed to the vets and you were x-rayed, but Julie the vet’s face said it all. She was in tears showing us the evidence of a very large tumour pushing down onto your intestines and the very enlarged oesophagus that prevented you from ingesting your food and made it all come back up again. The vet asked what we wanted to do and looking at you I knew that this was the end of the road we had travelled together. It broke my heart like it has never been broken before, but I knew the only thing I could do for you was to let you go. You looked like a dog prepared to move on and your body was preventing you from flying, so we released your spirit so that you could join Ben and all the other beautiful dogs at Rainbow Bridge. I cuddled you close and told you how much we love you as you faded away. I cried then, I am crying still as I know I will never hold your soft head in my hands again or look into your deep brown eyes and see into your soul. You were a dog in many millions and will always be in our hearts.

Goodnight beautiful Zena. We will love and miss you more than words can say. Until, one day, we meet again. Love always Lorna and Rachel, Merlin and Della xxxx

MEMORIES OF ZENA

They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I’d walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

Many thanks to all those at IRR and the sponsors who have contacted me to express their sorrow at our loss. Zena was special to so many people and not just our dog, but a big part of your lives too. We all love and miss her terribly.

ZENA’S POEM (kindly written for us by Wendy)

You gave me and Ben a home when we thought nobody cared, you took us into your life and your love we shared.
Sadly Ben passed away and I was left on my own, but thanks to you and Rachel for the love that you have shown.
I had two new friends that you rescued, Merlin and Della too, they have a lovely life, and it is all thanks to you.
Nothing was too much trouble and you always did your best,
Sometimes it was hard for you and you never had a rest.
I was feeling tired and it was my time to leave, I know that you will want to grieve.
I will meet up with dear Ben once again, and we will run and play and feel no pain.
I will always stay very close to you, you will feel all the love that I have for you.
I will be just a whisper away, and I will think of you each and every day.
Think of me as the gentle breeze that blows, the sun and the river that slowly flows.
I will watch over you during day and night, I will be your Star in Heaven that always shines so bright.
Thank you for being my very best friend, and for being with me at the end.
I will never forget all that you have done, to me you were such a ‘Wonderful Mum’ Lots of Love from ‘Princess Zena’ xxxxxxxxxx

A TRIBUTE FROM ANDY & VAL

We’re so terribly sad to hear about Zena. She was such a fighter and it is a great testament to how happy she was with you, that she fought so hard to stay with you right up until the end. You brought her and Ben such happiness at the end of their lives, and gave them the retirement they deserved.

You’re right that she is with her soulmate Ben at the Bridge now and free of their years, and their ailments. What a stunning couple they must make, although I suspect Ben will still be cantankerous, and Zena will still roll on her back at every opportunity to have her belly tickled.

Although they can never replace them, it must be some comfort to have Merlin and Della there. I can still very clearly remember the day I collected Ben and Zena, the lady opening the stable door to reveal them lying in the straw.

We remember the Christmas they spent with us, making it bearable for us, being the 1st we’d spent without our own dog Ben and we remember the pleasure in knowing they’d finally found their perfect home with you.

Thanks to the IRR I’ve seen many dogs in lots of circumstances and I know, without any doubt, you gave Zena and Ben their perfect home. Although it’s difficult now, you should be very proud of that.

HISTORY

Andy their fosterer said: Ben and Zena are a couple of inseparable Golden Retrievers, who needed to spend the twilight of their lives in comfort together.

Ben – A lovely old boy of 12 years. He’s had an operation to remove a tumour, but is making a full recovery. Although a little wobbly on his legs at times, and taking medication for his breathing, he’s still a happy boy with a constantly wagging tail. He just wants somewhere comfortable to spend his time, with little walks and lots of fuss.

Zena – A sprightly 11 year old cuddle monster. She’s in good health, loves her walks and enjoyed her time in foster with us. She has the saddest eyes, which she puts to good use begging treats and cuddles, I defy anyone to resist. They’re both house trained, great on the lead, can be left and are even cat friendly.”

Ben and Zena went off happily to their forever home with Lorna and Rachel in the Midlands today (28/1/07)

UPDATE ON OUR BEN AND ZENA from Mum Lorna

Ben and Zena have been with us for almost 6 weeks now. They have settled in brilliantly and you could not wish to meet a more gentle, friendly pair of dogs. Ben is the eldest and has his grumpy moments, but then he is an old man and with the problems he has with his back legs, I think he is entitled.

Zena is quite the little princess and knows exactly how to twist us around her front paw. She has very soft eyes and she uses them to her advantage My daughter has been virtually housebound with ME for four years, so she has the dogs as company all day and I think that they are helping her by giving her a responsibility and taking her mind off her illness a little. We are very proud of our adoptees and loved them from the moment they came into our lives. In return they have given us so much already and with the promise of more to come.

Thanks to Andy and Val for fostering these two and bringing them to visit us when my daughter was unable to travel. A huge THANK YOU goes also to Pauline and Lynne and all at the Irish Retriever Rescue who not only allowed us to take Ben and Zena, but have also been such a big help and support over the last few weeks. God bless you all for the tremendous work you are doing. Luv Ben, Zena, Lorna and Rachel

SUCH UPSETTING NEWS

Sadly, Ben’s happiness in his wonderful new home was short-lived and he has now gone to Rainbow Bridge. Everybody misses him dreadfully but, at least, Zena is being spoilt rotten to try to compensate her for his loss.

Zena is slowly coming to terms with the loss of dear Ben.

A LOVELY SPONSOR DOG

Zena went on to become a Sponsor Dog for IRR representing the elderly bonded pairs who find themselves needing a new home together.

Lorna would like to thank all the lovely people who sponsored Zena:-

AREN’T I A PRETTY GIRL?

ZENA and MERLIN waiting for Santa at CHRISTMAS 2008

UPDATE 24/03/2009

Zena is recovering from a major operation. Her Mum Lorna said. “Just to let you know that things are going on just fine. Zena is doing all that she used to do but with renewed energy and enthusiasm which is lovely to see.

She is still an older lady however and needs her 40 winks, so here are a couple of photos of her doing just that in the sunshine on the sofa this morning. Bless her.”

UPDATE APRIL 2009

Zena is really well. She has fully recovered and is quite bouncy. She has had a few walks recently when I have found it hard to keep up with her at first. Admittedly she does then slow down, but she is really keen and trots along quite happily until she realises that actually she is an old lady and not acting like one!!!

Her operation scars are little more than a mark on her skin now, rather like a seam down her tummy, which I suppose is what it is really. I’m so pleased with her progress and the speed with which she recovered. I’m pleased that my wish to give her the best chance rather than give up and have her put to sleep was the right one. I didn’t want her to suffer, but I knew that her fighting spirit would give her a more than good chance of a full recovery. She is such an angel and every day I thank IRR for letting her come to live with us – Merlin too of course, but Zena is very special.

Merry Christmas 2009 and a Happy New Year

With love from Zena, Merlin, Della, Lorna and Rachel xx

A TERRIBLE DAY

On 25.6.2010 a very tearful and sad Lorna wrote “It is with the deepest sorrow that I have to tell you that we had to say goodbye to our very beautiful Zena this evening. She became listless and refused food a couple of days ago. The vet was concerned that perhaps she had a spread of the cancer that made her so poorly 18 months ago and after a very short course of medication which had no effect, we took her for x-rays this evening. There was a huge growth pushing down on her intestines and her oesophagus was very enlarged so no food was going into her stomach. This had been making her cough and vomit. The only option was to let her go before she got very poorly indeed. The vet was in tears too, so we were a sorry sight.

Zena was the very special dog that we all remember in our lives as our soul dog. She was my shadow and the loyalist of companions. There is no other dog like her and we will miss her more than words can possibly say. She fought to stay with us when all the odds were stacked against her 18 months ago and was the bravest dog to face up to her illnesses, but there was nothing that could be done for her today, other than the only kind thing I had left for her – peace. There is a huge Zena shaped hole left in our hearts and our lives and we are devastated. I know that her sponsors will all be extremely sad too.

I am spending lots of time with Merlin, who seems to realise that something is very wrong and has gone quite into himself tonight. Della, bless her, hasn’t a clue what is happening from one moment to the next, so she is probably the luckiest of us all.
Please say a little prayer for our girlie tonight and be happy that she is reunited with dear Ben at Rainbow Bridge where she will be the sweetest angel of them all and shine brighter than any star.”

DOUBLE THE PAIN

Lorna tells us ” I know that Della was not an IRR dog but you were all so kind about us adopting her and Andy was brilliant in helping me to get her home and so pleased to be able to assist with her. Sadly, we have had to say goodbye to her as well today. She had difficulty getting out of her bed without being lifted and had to be carried into the garden. On arriving at the vets, we were told she was also suffering from kidney failure which would only worsen. We had to make that very sad and difficult decision again to let her go, but it was with dignity and with us cuddling her as we did with Zena.

This has definitely been the worst two weeks of my life.”

Words cannot help Lorna and Rachel at this sad time and only time will heal their pain but, at least, Zena and her special friend Della are now reunited at Rainbow Bridge.