When Cassie Jo (my chocolate lab) was diagnosed with bone cancer in Dec. 2004 I took her to UW-Madison Vet Teaching School to explore the options for treatment. It was decided what was best for her was an experimental drug to slow down the growth of the tumor. There was not a cure, but maybe the medication could extend her life and give her what time she did have left, a life of quality. It did exactly that. At the time I had taken her to UW-Madison the discussion of a Walk of Honor was just in the beginning stages.
On July 11th, 2005 we said good-bye to Cassie Jo. She lived eight more months with the help of the medication. Even though I was sad to see her go, I was grateful to the Vet teaching school for their compassion and dedication. It was a few weeks after her passing that I decided to buy a brick in her memory. I have always felt like she was a pioneer in the research for a cure for cancer, so this seemed most fitting for her to be a part of the Walk of Honor.
September 11th was 25 years in service for the teaching school and how wonderful to also have the dedication the same day. I was not going to miss this for anything. Frankie was six years old when Cassie passed away. They were best buds. So she and I made the two hour trip to Madison last Thursday.
When we arrived I felt my throat tighten as we made our way closer to the brick paved walkway. I began to search the bricks, up and down, left and right. My eye then caught Cassie Jo’s name and my heart skipped fluttered. I knelt down by it and felt an emotional rush of missing her, still and always loving her, so proud of her, and grateful for the time I had with her. Seeing her brick reaffirmed for me all she gave to me and all she taught me about what truly matters in life.
After taking a photo of her brick, I also wanted a photo of Frankie next to Cassie Jo’s brick, so snapped this picture also. I couldn’t help but think how lucky I am that God continues to gift me with such special dogs in my life.
One of the most touching parts of the ceremony is when they unveiled a sculpture that was commissioned to be done by Sculptor, Alexa King. Alexa is a strikingly beautiful woman with silver hair and looked very smart in her black suit. In her listening sessions prior to coming with up the design for the schools sculpture, she heard over and over again that compassion was central to what people feel about the school. I was fascinated to learn that over 70% of students in Vet medicine are now female.
When the red silky veil feel to the ground to unveil the sculptor I let out a soft gasp and immediately felt compassion emanate from the majestic bronze statue. It was simply breath taking. Tears pooled my eyes and I could not stop staring at the magnificent work of Alexa King. I feel she captured the essence of compassion of the school to a tee.
