September 11, 2000-May 6, 2001
"Joeanna"
To tell Joeanna's story I must start at the end...the end of Little Joe's story, that is:
May 11, 2000-As I said good-bye to Little Joe he lifted his head one last time and looked into my eyes. He then laid his head in my arms and closed his eyes forever.
Once he was free from his physical body I could feel his presence so strongly it was as if I turned around, he would be right there. It was great comfort to me to have Little Joe so close, even though I could feel, but not touch him. In July, all of a sudden, there was a blankness. I was so upset over this I contacted an animal communicator friend of mine. She asked if there was a pregnant bitch in the house. I said yes. She said Little Joe was in utero, he was coming back.
I had never given reincarnation much thought before, but was anxious and thrilled, yet not totally convinced this could be true.
One would have to have known Little Joe and Joeanna to become a believer, but this experience truly made a believer out of me. Joeanna was born September 11, 2000.
She was born a c-section, a singleton pup, she came out kicking and squealing for her first meal. Born a lightly marked harle I was concerned about many things, but Little Joe had assured me he was coming back in a healthy body, so I waited for this little one to grow up.
Joeanna's beautiful blue eyes.
As Joeanna, "Baby Joe", grew, it became evident that she had no physical defects. Her hearing, vision, and sense of smell all exceptional, her intelligence and bravery outstanding, her outgoing loving personality shining through each and every moment of every day.
Joeanna doing the ear thing.
As she grew I saw so much of Little Joe. There were so many behaviors unique to Little Joe; he loved to share my coffee, loved to be outside, to the extent he would come to the foot of the steps and sit and stare as if to say, "You called, and I am here, but I'd rather not come in just yet.", loved to ride in the car, and would lick my right ear while I was driving, never met a stranger, so many odd ways of letting me know what he wanted, and a constant unspoken dialogue between us. Joeanna shared all of these and more.
She touched the hearts of everyone she met bringing a special light and joy with her. She was so full of zest for life, with so much love to share. Even though she was only with me for a short time she filled a great place in my heart.
Joeanna as Rudolph, Christmas 2000.
She was amazing at tracking, enjoying obedience and agility, always with a comedic flare.
Upon returning home from a dog show, May 6, 2001, I let Joeanna out to play with Vanna while I unloaded the car. These two had always been best buds.
The yard is fenced and surrounded by horse pasture, which is also fenced. After a few trips in and out of the house I realized the girls weren't in the yard. Odd as they were usually under foot. I looked and they were on the road across from the end of the driveway. I called them to come as I headed for the gate. Before I was 1/2 way across the yard a van came over the hill. The woman slowed, and honked, then accelerated and hit Joeanna. She thought she had crossed behind the van with Vanna. I rushed her to the University, but I knew she had little chance. We arrived and as I sat in the back of the car with her waiting for the vet to bring the gurney, she lifted her head, one last time, looked into my eyes, and said good-bye.
I will probably never know or understand why my sweet Baby Joe was given to me for such a short time and then taken away. Her life was way too short.
Little Joe was my special child. Baby Joe was my precious child.
To her I don't say good-bye, only: until you're in my life again.
