A Bittersweet Week

5/14/2012

Last week was bittersweet.
I lost my beloved Daphne suddenly to kidney failure.

Tuesday evening the vet told me that her kidneys were failing. Thursday, Daphne died.
She was an extraordinary companion to me.
Only 2 weeks ago, I posted 12 Important Things I’ve learned from my dog Daphne.
And although it feels like my heart is breaking, I am extremely grateful that she went peacefully.

Sole Survivor Art Gallery

On a brighter note, last week Sole Survivor Art Gallery reviewed my artwork and invited me to be one of
18 artists represented there!
Saturday, I returned to the gallery with 8 more map paintings (for a total of 12 paintings) – to be displayed in time for
Art on the Square May 18-20!!

The weather was so lovely Saturday that I decided to walk along Main Street after dropping off my art.
Just a few doors down from Sole Survivor Art Gallery, I was pleasantly surprised to see a display of luggage and maps in the windows of My Vintage Addiction!
Inside were even more maps and globes! It was such an unexpected and delightful visual treat.

Though I miss Daphne immensely, I’m remaining positive, embracing my fond memories of her.
And I’ll continue looking for and finding inspiration along the way...just as I did Saturday.
Mary^

32 Comments

Michelle V. Alkerton link

5/14/2012 04:06:31 am

I'm so sorry about Daphne. ((hugs)) Congrats on the gallery :).
Stay inspired!

Mary link

5/14/2012 12:13:02 pm

Thank you so much for the hugs, Michelle!

Sue link

5/14/2012 04:17:23 am

So sorry to hear about Daphne. I share my house with an 18 year old cat who i love dearly. I can't imagine what it will be like when she is gone. My heart goes out to you.

Mary link

5/14/2012 12:14:19 pm

Thank you, Sue. I really appreciate it.

Create With Joy link

5/14/2012 05:44:23 am

Dear Mary

I am SO sorry to hear of Daphne's loss! I lost my first Maine Coon, Goliath, to kidney failure many moons ago and I am still shocked at how fast it all happened.

It was my honor to feature yours and Daphne's story this week. I hope that by sharing your stories, she will touch many lives and even connect other special dog and families.

Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com

Mary link

5/14/2012 12:16:24 pm

Dear Ramona,
Thank you so very much for featuring Daphne's story on your blog this week. I hope that she inspires others the way she always inspired me. Special dogs are the best dogs!
It was shockingly fast.
But she lives on through wonderful memories!

Aida - Nuckin' Futs Knitter link

5/14/2012 08:57:06 am

Congratulations on the art gallery, that's really great! I'm sorry about your loss of Daphne.

Mary link

5/14/2012 12:17:15 pm

Thank you, Aida.

Kindred Images and Creations link

5/14/2012 09:47:09 am

So sorry to hear about your dog.

Awesome on the art gallery review!

Mary link

5/14/2012 12:18:00 pm

Many thanks.
~Mary

Brenda link

5/14/2012 10:19:19 am

Congratulations on your new gallery Mary!

Mary link

5/14/2012 12:18:51 pm

Thank you, Brenda!
Miss the times we exhibited our paintings together! :)

My Vintage Addiction link

5/14/2012 12:10:59 pm

So sorry about Daphne! We lost a pet last year to cancer + I know your loss. Thank you, though for your beautiful photos of our shop <3

Mary link

5/14/2012 12:12:17 pm

Your shop is amazing, Courtney!
Thank you for allowing me to photograph it and feature it!!

Liz Thoresen link

5/14/2012 02:59:36 pm

Dear Mary... I know it must be such a hard time for you right now. The love you both shared was so evident in the picture of the two of you. Congratulations on your new venture. Daphne will be there in spirit. Thinking of you. Liz

Mary link

5/16/2012 01:59:14 am

Thank you, Liz.
I agree that Daphne definitely will be with me in spirit on my new ventures! :)

Lisa Cousineau link

5/15/2012 01:14:17 am

Mary, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss of Daphne. My heart hurts for you. My dog is 15 years old and slowing down a lot... I know I will go through what you're going through. Congratulations on the gallery showing, that's good news. A bittersweet week indeed. (Kind of like when I was diagnosed with breast cancer the same week we launched our new stencil line! ;-) Ugh. Hang in there.

EK link

5/15/2012 05:22:19 am

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Anthony Caruso link

5/15/2012 06:33:56 am

So sorry for your loss... our cat, Katie, is battling kidney failure right now. We have her stable with fluid treatments, but it's an awful disease. Our condolences...

Craig Kittner link

5/15/2012 03:04:45 pm

Sorry for your loss. Reading the 12 things you learned from her, I can see how good Daphne was for you. I especially liked "find joy in the little things." We lost our cat Lyle to kidney failure last August. I get tears in my eyes just writing that. Our special ones take the edge off the meanness life can have, don't they?

A. Sparkle link

5/15/2012 08:42:09 pm

Very sorry to hear about Daphne, but I am happy for you about the gallery situation, because that must feel pretty freakin awesome!

Cathy Bueti link

5/15/2012 09:46:13 pm

Oh Mary, my heart goes out to you. so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. I lost my pug back in Sept. and the pain was more than I thought i could bear.

Sending you a big hug!! I hope you find comfort in the sweet memories you will cherish of time spent with her.

Ramona

5/16/2012 12:49:00 am

So sorry to hear about Daphne. Glad I got to meet her even for a short while.

Sharmon Davidson link

5/16/2012 10:03:16 am

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I have three dogs, and they're so dear to me- I can't imagine what you're going through.
Congrats, though, on getting in the gallery; what good news! And that vintage shop looks like a fantastic place to indulge one's map obsessions.

Renee Miskell link

5/17/2012 10:03:06 am

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your dog, but grateful she went peacefully. Congrats on your invitation to show your art! Thanks for visiting my blog! Renee

gloria link

5/17/2012 02:13:12 pm

Again Mary, my condolences and a big hug to you.

Pointypix link

5/17/2012 03:59:08 pm

I'm so sorry to hear about Daphne. I only saw your saw news on your newest post today as I missed the PPF rounds last week. She was adorable and I can only imagine your grief at her passing. Dogs generate such profound love. I'm really happy for your gallery news though, bittersweet as it is.

Gloria J Zucaro link

5/17/2012 11:54:02 pm

So sorry to lose a sweet and good friend. I am happy for your continued success in your art life, Mary.

DJ link

5/19/2012 02:17:30 pm

Mary, on Christmas Day 2011, I lost a four-footed child, also. The hole left behind is gaping, isn't it? I deal with it by gently remembering the past and intensely loving the present.
Prayers & Hugs, DJ

Miz Katie link

5/20/2012 07:34:48 am

Aw, Mary. I'm so sorry to read about Daphne. So sad when our furbabies leave us too soon. On the other hand, I'm happy to read about the gallery. Best wishes to you, and good luck!! That's great news.

Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage link

5/22/2012 11:13:10 am

Mary, I am so sorry that you lost your sweet little companion. Less than a week after you lost your Daphne, we lost our sweet kitty Lydia so I am very aware of the tender feelings you're going through right now. Hugs to you!