We kept our promise to little Clarice; we loved her, spoiled her, and kept her comfortable during her time here with us at Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary. This tiny, sweet soul who stole the hearts of everyone she met, who loved life so much, is now an Angel watching over all of us here at the Sanctuary and we are in mourning once again.
While cancer is something we deal with often here at the Sanctuary, it’s not something that ever gets easier. Clarice had liver cancer, and although her original prognosis looked bad, she had a wonderful 6 months of life right up until her last morning with us. She was our miracle girl who just was not ready to give up but her body became very tired and we knew it was time.
Clarice was interestingly enough not a dog who liked a bed, and no matter how much we tried to get her to sleep in one, she preferred the floor. We’re really not sure why that was the case, but we can only imagine it was what she was used to. Estimated to be around or over 13 years of age, she had her quirks and was not going to change.
On that heartbreaking day her body was weak; even then she ate a complete breakfast, drank some water and actually climbed into a dog bed to lay down. That was when we knew she was getting ready to leave us and this was her way of letting us know. She was peaceful, and comfortable just laying and watching us all day long.
Sometimes doing the right thing for our Sanctuary residents is the most difficult thing…Suddenly Clarice looked up at us with her big, beautiful, soulful eyes and began breathing too heavy. We knew in that moment she was asking for help to cross over – a heart wrenching decision but also a loving kindness that Clarice deserved. She passed peacefully surrounded by those she loved.
Clarice arrived at our Sanctuary on Christmas Eve, 2022, after having been found wandering the streets and brought to a shelter. No one ever came looking for her and she was not doing well medically at the time. She was our little holiday miracle who quickly bounced back once in our care. She was as sweet as candy and that earned her the nickname Reesey Claricey, but don’t dare mess with her food or treats for if you did a little monster would suddenly appear and it wasn’t pretty. She was a resource guarder but only of her food and treats; she was very willing to socialize and play with all the other dogs and people here at the Sanctuary. She was always fed separately and given her own space to enjoy snacks and her favorite gullet sticks.
When our Veterinary team confirmed she had liver cancer we were so broken by the news but we knew we had to make extra sure she was comfortable and enjoyed her time here for as long as she was with us. Her cancer was aggressive and spread quickly and because it seemed she had never received any type of care it was simply too late to attempt any serious medical intervention; the goal was simply comfort care, and she gladly took her medications and supplements like a champ as long as it was rolled into a ball of honey goat cheese – one of her favorite snacks.
She was always smiling – literally since the moment she entered our doors. She loved being groomed, and getting dressed up in little sweaters, but most of all she enjoyed a good cuddle on the couch next to Sanctuary mom and her doggie friends. Now she has left a void in everyone’s hearts that no one else can fill. She was a delight to have her in our lives and in our memories she will live on. Clarice was a very special girl; every dog that walks through our Sanctuary doors brings something special and the energy here is never exactly the same again once they leave us.
We believe that every dog that comes to us has a purpose for being here just like their paws give us purpose. We only hope the months of joy here with us were able to wash away any past suffering she may have endured and that she took only the good memories with her. Clarice was spoiled, and loved deeply during her time here at Paws Give Me Purpose, just as she should have been her entire life – we only wish we could have loved her longer.
Clarice left this world with dignity knowing love and kindness, not out on the streets and not alone behind shelter walls; her life mattered and we made sure every day that she knew just how much. We will forever be grateful to her for the love and gratitude she showed us in return daily.
You will always live on in our hearts Reesey Claricey; we were blessed to have known and been able to love you with our whole hearts!
Thank you to all of our followers and supporters for caring; for we know you grieve with us too. Thank you also for being a support to us during this difficult time.
