In 2009 I experienced extreme turmoil in my personal life. As each and every person in life experiences their first true “break up” and heart ache I was experiencing mine. Ironically, I was given a dog during this time. I had no idea what was in store for me with “this dog.” Her name was Lucy and she came from a Celebrity Fashion Designer that shall remain anonymous. She was given to me on February 29th. Her ribs protruded and she hung her head low, she appeared scared and near her tail a bone jutted out making a raise in her hair. She was a tiny blonde Pug and looked brittle. I learned that this was a Rescue situation and she had lived most of her life in a small cage not cared for because her Celebrity Owner upgraded to new puppies and Lucy became “old news.”
I never once called her Lucy, I named her Diva and knew she would eventually grow into her name. She was beautiful, all I had to do was look at her and automatically I smiled and my heart slowly began the journey of healing. Four years later I celebrate Diva’s life. I am unsure when her true birthday is yet celebrate the end of February each year. Diva has brought extraordinary love into my life and exclusively brings joy; I can’t and wouldn’t want to imagine my life without her.
One of the many hobbies and interests Diva has is going to Camp at Best Friends White Plains. Yesterday I brought Diva into Best Friends to celebrate her life. Best Friends White Plains is a very special place. We are always greeted before we are fully inside of the Best Friends building, the staff call out for Diva before she is even in the entrance. What an amazing, truly exciting environment the staff creates – it makes you feel so happy you came and wanting to return! Pictures of Diva pop up on TV Monitors in the front lobby and she is taken from my arms to join her friends in Camp.
Diva was diagnosed with Epilepsy over 2 years ago. She takes Phenobarbital daily to avoid having grand mal seizures. I recently vacationed and Diva went to Best Friends for her vacation. The staff communicated with me daily while I was away, putting me at ease and solidifying our pre existent trust I have with this fine company. I can’t thank each and every employee at Best Friends White Plains for his or her passion, for genuinely loving their job and loving each animal that walks through the doors that is so much more than an “animal” to the family that has brought him or her in. From the bottom of my heart, Best Friends White Plains, Thank you for celebrating Diva’s life, for caring and making each and every Best Friends experience one worth sharing.