Joni

Glenda and Joni

This is about a little 5pound Yorkshire terrier called Joni, who came into my life nine short years ago. From our first sighting, we became soul mates. I have had several other dogs - but never one like Joni. To me Joni has always been like a little firefly - a spark of life and energy, who for the past nine years has lighted my way. Her light was extinguished March 09 2010, when her cancer (the equivalent of cancer of the uterus in humans), became too much for her. Our very kind vet came to my home so that Joni could go to sleep in my arms - with her two sons beside us on the couch. Now it is up to them to carry on her legacy. Let me tell you our story. When I first met Joni, I had recently retired because I have what is called Systemic Arthritis - affecting not only my joints but all connecting tissues. My retirement had come earlier than it might have, specifically because of my related Spinal Stenosis which limited the amount of time I could sit at work - or do much of anything for long. Ideas I had had as to what retirement might include, were not to be. Yet, at last there was the opportunity (not possible when I was working) to spend more time with my pets. A group of friends (all with small dogs) knew that I had acquired a one eyed Yorkie called Winkie. They asked if I'd be interested in joining them to try out a new Dog Sport called Freestyle. This I found was something I could do. I love music, and found that I wasn' too bad at training my little one to do the 'tricks' involved. The musical routines that we developed required simple movements on my part, and lasted only about 2 minutes - just the right length for my capability. The group had such fun, that we decided to enter a competition. Unfortunately two weeks before this occurred, Winkie died of a heart attack, so the others had to perform without us. I was devastated. Not only had I lost my little dog, but I had lost what I had hoped would be a new outlet for my life. Winkie's breeder, a very kind lady, felt that she should 'replace' my loss, but at the time had only one little female - Joni. (named after Joni Mitchell the singer) who was her primary breeding bitch. Her offer was to share Joni with me - the plan being that until Joni was ready for 'retirement' she would live part time with the breeder (to fulfill her maternity responsibilities), and part time with me. Once retired Joni would live with me fulltime. From our first sighting, Joni and I were soul mates. I have had several other dogs - but never one like Joni. To me she has always been like a little firefly - a spark of life and energy, that for the past next nine years has lighted my way. My health has had its ups and downs. I've had to have three joint replacements, a bout with malignant skin cancer, cataract removal - plus many of the other silly little things that go along with aging (like losing one's muscle strength, not having the energy formerly available, tiring easily). All such factors could have left me feeling frustrated, depressed, lacking in direction, or reason for living. But, none of that happened - because of Joni. So what if I had slowed down, temporarily had to be on crutches, or had to use a cane/walker/ wheelchair - Joni didn't care. She was always with me - reminding me that Life is for living, one way or another. While content to just snuggle on the couch (if that was my need) Joni really preferred a life of action. What could I do but follow her example A clever little monkey, she loved to learn new things. This encouraged me to keep up with her training regardless of my state of health. She really seemed to enjoy 'moving to music', (particularly if she could do it with me), so despite whatever my current limitations happened to be, we continued with the sport of 'Freestyle'. Joni enjoyed being with people and with her canine counterparts, so we met regularly with the group of ladies and their small dogs (who were by now doing individual as well as group routines). They, being very patient people, included us in the 'demos' at care facilities, local fairs, and encouraged our entering competitions offered by the various Freestyle organizations. I found new challenges I'd never have thought of attempting. Targets that I could aim for, and work towards achieving despite my varied handicaps and limitations - because of the constant inspiration and companionship of that lively little girl Joni showed me that dogs can accommodate all kinds of things (handler memory lapses, dancing around or beside a wheelchair, or cane). I found that my potential fears melted away, knowing that I had to recoup from surgery quickly, achieve rehabilitation goals in short order, as we had Freestyle goals/ commitments to fulfill. It was not just physical achievements that were accomplished, but mental ones as well. I learned to listen much more closely to music so that I could find a beat that would best suit her quick lively movements and still accommodate my slower ones. Then I had to figure out the best methods for our training - tricks for recalling the names I'd assigned certain moves (both hers and mine) and of course their sequence in proper order. Next I had to learn to edit music on my computer - for routines had to fit the requirements, and be within my capability. It's helpful in training to be able to view and review what you and your partner are doing, to make relevant changes. This meant I had to learn to take (and edit) self videos. Interesting time expectations to operate one's music player, the video camera and perform a routine with one's dog as well.. So many firsts, so many "I never thought I could' accomplishments, that Joni really was responsible for. You can imagine my sense of accomplishment when six short months after my knee replacement, Joni and I achieved two different titles in our chosen Dog Sport. We had started working on our Intermediate titles, when suddenly (three weeks ago) everything came to an abrupt halt. With all fireflies there comes a time when their light is extinguished. When their mission in life has been fulfilled. And so it was with Joni. It was heartbreaking to find that she had developed cancer - in fact has been suffering from it perhaps for the last five years. It appeared, once discovered, that the tumors may have been developing for a period of five years, doing considerable internal damage in that time. There was no hope that her life could be extended. She had truly given her life to me I'm finding it hard to accept that the life of my sparkling companion/mentor is over. I do believe that she enabled me to cope with circumstances and live with limitations I could not have accepted on my own. I miss her terribly - forever she lives on as a part of me.