Nulina Grace is in Doggy Heaven.

Nulina Grace

Age 5, April 23, 2007 - August 21, 2012

You will always be my Pink Poodle Princess Puppy. Mommy loves you, Lina.

We were snowed in and decided to make the best of it!

Nickname: Lina

Lina was such a smart, energetic, cheerful and loving puppy. When I decided to get a Standard Poodle, the only breeder that I trusted happened to be a few hours away. So I picked a puppy based on appearance alone through photographs. They were only 4 weeks old at the time and I couldn't wait another 4 weeks to meet my puppy. So I traveled down to the breeder later that week.

When I got there, I sat down in room full of poodle puppies and the breeder handed me my puppy. As I was trying to get to know my puppy, another puppy kept bugging me and wouldn't leave me alone. I was a little annoyed to be honest. But as time went on, I realize that the puppy I picked was boring. She just sat there. I told the breeder that I felt like this puppy and I didn't mesh well and then asked her where that "annoying puppy" was. She looked around and suddenly smiled. "She's sitting right next to you!"

At that moment, I looked to my side and there sat my little Lina Grace. I picked her up and asked her if she was my puppy. It was the cutest thing. It's as if Lina knew I was her mommy and she finally just sat next to me until I realized it. They always say that your dog picks you. I never believed it until that moment.

Lina and I had 5 great years together. I want to share how she passed away so that hopefully, others can learn from our experience. I know I have.

Lina passed away from an obstructed intestine. She never got into the trash or chewed on things that she shouldn't so that was the last thing on my mind as far as causes. It was a Friday when I noticed something was off. She had just been boarded that previous weekend for the first time, so I thought she had some sort of bug. She wasn't eating or drinking that Saturday but Sunday, she started drinking water again. To me that was improvement so I thought we were going to be ok. She was still drinking water on Monday but was still sluggish too. So I decided to take her to the vet. He did blood work and sent us home with special food. Next day, blood work was fine but she was still not eating and stopped drinking again. Took her back to the vet and he did an XRAY and saw something in her intestine. He gave me the option of waiting a couple days or preforming surgery to get it out. I chose surgery because I felt like we waited long enough. Needless to say, she was too weak and didn't make it through the surgery.

The vet told me that normally she would have passed the object because of her size. He said that it was just a freak accident. I wanted to share our story because I feel like if a couple things were different, perhaps Lina would still be here. I do understand that hindsight is 20/20, so I can't do that to myself. But, when and if I decide to get another dog, I know that I will not wait as long as I did to take my dog to the vet. Also, if I ever have a dog as sick as Lina was, I will not only request blood work, but an XRAY as well. I am not a vet but even the vet mentioned that he should have taken an XRAY that Monday.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my Pink Poodle Princess Puppy, Nulina Grace. If you are on this website, chances are you too, have lost someone very special to you. Just know that other people are thinking of you and understand what you are going through during this difficult time.

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Lina,

Words can't begin to describe how much you meant to me. You were my Pink Poodle Princess Puppy. Going through your photos reminded me of all of the great times we had together. We did a lot, to say the least. I just wish we had more time to make even more memories.

I am so fortunate that you picked me to be your mommy. I hope you know how much I loved you. I hope you know that I did my very best to give you the very best, down to the very end.

I hope you know how many people loved you and how much you will be missed. I will always, always remember how you made me feel and will always cherish our memories.

Mommy loves you, Lina.

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4/23/13

It would have been your 6th birthday today,Lina. We would have dressed you up in your princess dress and headed out to Petsmart. As you know, you have a lil brother now. Arlo Thomas. We took him to Petsmart today and he picked out a pink toy for you! We all miss you greatly and still think about you every single day.

Continue to watch over us and know how much we love and miss you.

Happy birthday, Lina. Mommy loves you.

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8/21/13

Lina,

It’s been 1 year since your passing. Feels like a lifetime ago. A lot has happened in the past year. Some bad but a lot of good. I know that each life experience is either a lesson or a blessing. Looking back, I realize how much of a blessing you were in my life. Even if it was only for 5 short years. You were my first baby. I always had an idea of what kind of mother I would be someday. And you showed me.

Your passing has taught me many things. I now understand what it’s like to cope with death. Because of this, I am able to understand and help others who are going through difficult times such as this. It also reminded me how many great people I have in my life. And how many great strangers there are out there in the world, especially fellow doggyheaven.com parents.

For years, you were my best friend. You always protected me and always knew when I needed a hug. It was when you were physically unable to give me a hug that you helped me the most. You sent Arlo into my life. It brings such joy to watch him play and entertain himself. It makes me smile knowing he really isn’t playing alone. You are there. Whenever I mention your name, his ears perk up as if I said treat or walk. He knows you. And loves you just as much as we all did and still do.

People still talk about you. The daycare you went to. The groomer. Arlo is even known as Lina’s brother at the overnight kennel. :)

The most important thing your passing has taught me is that it’s not about how long you are in someone’s life but the impact you made in it.

Continue to watch over us and keep sending your love down to us. We can feel it.

Mommy loves you, Lina.