Original Article: https://www.austinpetsalive.org/blog/lessons-learned-from-layla
Sep 23, 2021
“With the recent passing of my dog Layla, I felt compelled to tell you about our story together.”
“This letter is as much for me as it is to document a life that was so filled with value, love, and lessons about relationships and respect.
I am beyond grateful to have had this amazing dog in my life.”
“Layla was my most challenging pet. She was very different yet I learned so much from her. She made me a much better dog mom, teacher, and human being.
She was our first rescue dog. We adopted her from APA! over 12 years ago on South Congress while we had family visiting for Thanksgiving. She came with the name “Poppy.”
“She came with a bag of medicine and some loving care instructions. She was quite sick and required a great deal of extra attention. She spent the first months of her life in our master bathroom because she was a pretty sick little puppy.
I thought I was not up for the challenge but with phone support and kindness from Dr. Jefferon, and a few wonderful phone counselors, we made it. I am so grateful for the support because I never would have known the amazing experience of truly developing the loving and mutual respect between myself and this wonderful pup.”
“Layla was a different type of dog. I have always had super social dogs – Golden Retrievers and Westies.
They are sweet and pleasing and just want to be with you. They love everyone. Not Layla, she was scared early on and she did not like other dogs so group classes and social events, even walking in heavily populated areas was not for her. She and I learned about each other. I watched her and learned her cues.”
“As an elementary school teacher, I became a better teacher because of Layla. I learned to look for cues and to really watch and learn what she (& my students) needed. I have found there are a lot of Laylas out there. She became my first thought when I had a student that did not get along with others and I stayed patient.
They would be my “Laylas.” I loved her unconditionally and respected her for what she needed and in return, she loved and respected me, even up to the last moment.”
“A few weeks ago, she got very sick and had all the signs of cancer. That last day, one of the hardest days of my life, we went for a ride, her favorite thing to do. I told her how grateful I was to have her in my life and she went for a short walk because that was what she wanted to do. Layla trusted me at the end when I told her to come to lay down on her bed and had a vet put her to sleep on her favorite bed in front of her favorite window.”
“I will forever be grateful for this amazing and loving relationship that I experienced.”
From our early days, supporters like Ilene have made a No Kill Austin possible. You can join the No Kill movement by making a gift in celebration of Austin’s 10th No Kill Anniversary today! Don’t forget, all gifts will be DOUBLED thanks to a generous board member.
Do you have an APA! companion that made a difference in your life? Don’t wait to interact with us on all social channels to share your story with #NoKillDecade and have the chance to get featured, just like Ilene!
Source: Austin Pets Alive
