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Luz-y still remember you...

July 24, 2014

Judy: Luz-y still remember everything to taugth her. She is a healthy, grow girl. She is so playfull, loving and caring. Today and always you are on our mind and hearts.

Luz's- family

Love this picture!

August 9, 2013

So beautiful! I love her glamorpuss pics from her dancing days.

Dauphine comes to Alameda

August 5, 2013

I first met Judy at a shopping center in Alameda.  I was with my daughter and a friend of hers walking through the parking lot on the way to get ice cream.  We had two aging toy poodles at the time, and the first thing I noticed was not Judy, but a small white toy poodle bursting with energy walking her human companion and another small dog (Echo). The dog's enthusiasm was matched by my daughter's enchantment.  "Mama, look, that dog is so cute!"  The next thing I heard was "Do you want her?"  It was Judy's voice, and what struck me was how reminiscent the voice was of women in my extended family.  It was a surprisingly low voice for such a diminutive woman.  I was taken aback at how direct the question was.  Judy went on to marvel at the dog's demeanor around the girls.  "I didn't know how she would be around children.  She appears to really like them."  The two girls and the small dog were in a loving circle by then, and I was making a cell phone call to my husband.  I felt like I was under a strange spell that must have somehow been transmitted to my husband, who under normal circumstances I'm positive would never have agreed to adopt a dog on the spot.

That was how we first met Judy, and Cossette (previously known as "Dauphine"). Before we could figure out the logistics of integrating Cossette into our pack of two older toy poodles, Judy guided us on the paperwork, inspected our home, and insisted that we were the right home for the sweet little dog.  It wasn't until the final drop off that Judy admitted "I didn't think I could let her go.  This is a heartbreak for me."  And that's how Judy became our dog walker and friend.  I was awe struck by the strengh it must have taken for Judy to let go of the animals she fostered, and often rescued from near death experiences.  We agreed that Judy would come at least once a week to walk our whole brood.  

That was two years ago.  Since then, Judy has coaxed our older female toy poodle out of a grumy stupor and seen us through the death of our beloved Cujo, Harpy's brother.  She has always been there for us in many ways, stayed in our home when we've traveled, and come to our house for July 4th barbecues two year's running.  Judy and I always talked about grabbing that cup of coffee, so that we could continue the quick conversations we had during pet pick up or drop off when I was working at home.  Judy was obviously well educated, interesting, interested in many things, and we shared many of those interests.  We never got around to that cup of coffee, and I will always regret it.

My human and animal families miss Judy terribly.  She was a wonderful mix of fragile, gritty, and warm, and was never afraid to tell me what to do.  Rest in peace Judy.

The Lemon Tree

August 5, 2013

Once upon a time there lived a lovely lady named Judy she was seen going in and out of her home with a lovely little dog named Echo who barked and barked at the Blue Jays who visited Judy and sang to her from a top her Lemon Tree which is perched just outside of her living room window. This tiny blue grey house was the site of much merriment and was situated at the base of a hill which over looked a valley below a mountain sky line. On sunny days, Judy loved to sit outside on her porch listening to the Jays with Echo.

One early morning she met Alyssia who was just learning how to walk Fricke and Mrs. Praker  who were both puppies, precocious and double trouble when they were together:) Judy who was very friendly and knew a kindred soul when she saw one took the first step:

"Hello"

"Good Morning"

"I see you have your hands full" 

"Well yes - they love to go out - the vet said it was alright, Parker is just weeks old. I never yell a them and try to let tthe dogs tell me what they want I hope they will eventually learn to walk with me and not pull me along - like they are walking me (although the doctor said that would not be a bad idea:)" 

"Let me help you, I have something for you, I'll be just a minute, now Echo come along and lets meet Fricke and Mrs. Parker" 

(Judy was gone for just a few seconds and returned with a Martingale dog lead and collar for Fricke because he was always leading Parker and I along )

"Fricke hello I am Judy and this is Echo"
( Fricke normally very vocal wagged his tale jumped on judy and smooched Echo - Parker did the same - I stood back and watched with my mouth agape :)

"Now come along Fricke - you too Mrs. Parker - Echo will walk with us come now.
You See how I am doing this - hold the lead this way and walk this way - give him and her treats  when they obey - you can take the collar and the lead with you let me know how it goes"
( she smiled  patted the dogs and went back up to her chair on the porch and tried to pluck  a few lemons that seemed just beyond her reach).  

"But this is wonderful - who are you? I have never seen the doggies act this way with anyone and they seem to love Echo!"  I live on the other side of the  hill - on Morcom - come visit me - OK THANK YOU"

"I will, take care see you soon"

( I thought about what just happened and came back around the corner)

" Hello again ,what, what is wrong?"

( I immediately climbed the stairs to her front porch and pulled lemons down from The Litte Lemon Tree - a handful and gave them to her )

"Thank you for helping me with the dogs - they are loving but  when they are out - well you know:)"

"No problem it was nothing"
( and Judy went back to sit with Echo )

___________________________________

I returned the Martingale collar and lead to Judy and plucked many lemons from her tree and left them for her in bags on her porch - the tree seemed to give when I came over and I know she was surprised to find them on her porch when she would return from running errands, dog walking or pet sitting. 

Judy was a light in my life and would have been the "Pet Nanny" for My Darling Theo Foundation had she lived ( we were getting her column ready for publication ). I am a better person for knowing her I am happy I have her voice and her smile and her hug recorded in my brain.  The images I have of her make me smile and cry. I know Echo misses her but will continue to be loved by people who will keep Judy's memory alive. As for the Little Lemon Tree -  it will be a reminder to me and others who pass by the little blue grey house on the hill, each year when it flowers of the light that was Judy: Giving, Beautiful, Perennial, Loved:)!

How I Met Judy

August 3, 2013

I already posted this on Facebook, but I think it bears repeating for this lovely memorial site (thanks, Eric).

It was Carson who brought Judy into our lives. I remember clearly the day we met. Carson and I were living in a little apartment on Lakeshore. Carson was browsing at Walden Pond Books, and he and Judy kept reaching for the same books. Finally they got to talking. She was gorgeous. She thought she was being picked up, but he told her, "You've got to meet my girlfriend, you and she would really like each other." She later told me, "That was a pick-up line I had never heard!" So he brought her home with him.

When they entered the apartment, he called out, "Honey, look what I brought home!" And I went to the door and saw this beautiful woman. "Gee, honey, you brought me a woman, how sweet!"

And he was right, we did get along. We immediately embarked on a long and intense conversation about translations of Spanish-language books into English. I adored Gregory Rabassa, who translated Garcia Marquez's "100 Years of Solitude," while she couldn't stand him, so we had a lively and fascinating debate about this. This was not a conversation I could have had with a lot of people, so she was a wonderful addition to my life, someone with whom I had many long, intense, fascinating conversations. She was brilliant as well as beautiful.

"Bestow upon Thy heavenly handmaiden, O God, the holy fragrances born of the spirit of Thy forgiveness. Cause her to dwell in a blissful abode, heal her griefs with the balm of Thy reunion, and, in accordance with Thy will, grant her admission to Thy holy Paradise. Let the angels of Thy loving-kindness descend successively upon her, and shelter her beneath Thy blessed Tree." (Abdu'l-Baha)

Candlelight Vigil

August 3, 2013

July 26th, 2013 Held at the front steps of her house.

Thank you all who came to this vigil. It was really a moving tribute to Judy.

Poem found on Judy's Computer

August 3, 2013

I found this poem on Judy's computer. I don't think she wrote it and I think she was collecting it for the memorial of one of her friends who had passed away. But it struck a chord in me as it is written in the first person so I thought I'd share it.

 

 

 

 

I died today. In peace, I think.

At least, I remember no pain.

I simply gave up my final breath.

But then, I won’t need it again.

 

I loved this world! I fought to stay.

I fought for my life to the end.

It wasn’t my choice to let it go,

But He called, so I answered, “amen”.

 

I gave up my life, as I must in the end,

To the One who first gave it to me.

Imagine my wonder to see it dissolve,

Revealing eternity.

 

These eyes sewn shut take in no light

But I see as never before.

These hands can’t feel but I know His touch

And I’m not afraid anymore.

 

So bury this body of flesh and blood.

These muscles and sinews and bone

All smell of the earth and taste of dust.

I don’t want them back anymore.

 

My flesh is the stuff of uncountable stars.

My blood is the boiling sun.

I’m breathing again with the cosmic wind.

My journey has only begun.

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