Pearl had cancer when we met her 2 years ago. It was small then, but we knew it would steadily grow. We put her on daily Sun Chlorella Algae Super Food to boost her immune system and welcomed her into our barn to be warm and safe. She very quickly became part of our family and kept us laughing with her funny antics. Pearl was either rifling in the trash, pulling produce out of the fridge, or knocking things off the desk in the office. It seems that she could open any door and there was just no stopping her from being where she wasn't supposed to be. None of us could resist her charm and we still can't think of her without smiling.

The last few months Pearl had been getting worse and we knew we were reaching the end. I asked her if she'd had enough and she said, "not yet". So, I asked her to give me a sign so I would know when she was ready to leave her body. Pearl showed me a picture of her laying on her side and said that when we find her on her side we'll know that she's ready. We kept her on pain meds, fed her favorite treats, gave her plenty of attention, and loved her as much as we could.

Over the last few weeks she seemed to have much more energy and vibrancy than before. She grazed with relish, upped her pranks in the kitchen- diving into the trash and opening the fridge, and seemed like she did when we first met her. Even though we were so excited for the new and improved Pearl, warning bells rang in my head remembering stories of animals who rally before they pass. I wondered if she was miraculously better or was she just enjoying her last days?

My fears were confirmed this morning when we found Pearl laying on her side, exactly how she showed me. She looked right at us with her golden eyes and said unmistakably that she's had enough and would like to go home. We knew this day was coming, but my gosh it hurt to realize we were here! We called the veterinarian and then wrapped our arms around Pearl and thanked her for her larger than life spirit, for making us laugh, and for the honor of knowing her. I shut my eyes, breathed in deep, and asked if I could talk to her. I asked if we could do anything for her. She said she would like to taste a grape one more time. We gave her a grape and she held it in her mouth, savored the juice and smiled.

Then I asked Pearl if she had any final words and this is what she said: "Please thank my dad for me, he gave me a very blessed life. Please thank all the staff and volunteers at The Gentle Barn. I appreciate the medical attention and care they gave me in the end. Please let my fans know that if they need to cry for me, so be it, but I have had a wonderful life that should rather be celebrated and rejoiced!" Pearl left her body in our arms, while we whispered thank you's in her ear. She left easily and peaceful and we almost felt angels touch our hands as we handed her over to heaven.

Thanks to all of you who loved her with us. Thanks to her UPS boyfriend who made her feel special and thank you most of all to our landlord, Mickey, for allowing us to make her part of our family and our gentle home. It was an honor and a privilege to have known and loved her! We will carry her in our hearts and miss her forever!