A Letter from Jonah's Adoptive Mother
February 9, 2010
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Jonah came to Angell afraid and alone. His blindness and severe medical condition had cut him off from the world around him and from the love that he needed to heal. However, he found his first friend in Dr. Andrew Farabaugh, the surgeon that would take away his solitude. That was when I first met the frail Chihuahua that would lead many of us on a wonderful journey.
My friendship with Jonah was based on trust. I built that trust as his nurse. I cleaned up after him, changed his bandages, and gave him his medication. But each day that friendship grew. He needed me and I knew I could help him. Angell and all of the wonderful people out there, supporting his surgery, recovery and ongoing care, made our relationship stronger as we went through his surgery and recovery together. Supporters and the hospital made sure that his medical needs were taken care of and that afforded me the ability to focus on rehabilitating Jonah.
Well wishers kept our spirits high. Letters, cards, and hand-knitted sweaters lifted Jonah’s spirits and helped us both enjoy the time that we had together. As he grew stronger and healed, Jonah became brave, strong willed, and unafraid of the world that had once terrified him. Having a home, a family, a pack of dogs to belong to (and his blind kitten sister) made him whole, more real. We loved him, we played with him, we gave him treats, and we indulged him every once in a while when he begged for French fries. He went everywhere with me. He had the life I had hoped he would - the life he deserved.
Sadly, although his life became full and he grew happy, it was also too short. He left a mark on me and those around him that will never fade. He will be missed immensely. He was my baby.
Jonah would have never had any of his new life if it had not been for all of the kind, generous people who helped him; because of that, Jonah helped other animals who also needed care and love. I held him every day and he knew that he was loved by more people than he could imagine.
The legacy of making friends, building trust, and becoming family will continue. Jonah’s passing was unexpected, sudden, and tragic; but, his life was a celebration of love, caring, and commitment.
-Melissa-
