Are there doggy doors in Heaven?

Our Izzy. The world was a better place when you were here. We will never EVER forget you.

Her favorite pastime

Some more smooches from one of her favorite boys

Izzy's joy at Heath's homecomings was tearjerking

Christmas BONES!

Watched each new baby like a hawk. She would always come find me when they started to cry.

Izzy was a part of every celebration.

With her Zekie, looking after baby Ryan.

A growing pup in Clovis, NM

One of the first pictures we have of her.

I hope so. I pray for it. On February 19, 2001 Heath and I stopped by the pound in Albuquerque, NM on the way home to Clovis from the airport. We saw her, she saw us....we went through the motions of the 'trial play' but it didn't matter; it was love at first sight. We both knew instantly that dog was ours. Queen Isabella Wimberley - Izzy - became a part of our family and our hearts that day. We brought home a tick infested, parvo positive furball and nursed her back to health. We snuck her into our pet free apartment and let her sleep in our bed to keep her from crying at night and blowing our cover before we could move into our new house. Nine years and 2 months later I held that sweet dog in my arms as she took her final breath on this earth. Where did the time go? Why didn't I walk her more, let her ride in the car more often, turn off the TV and just be with her? I look back on our life with her and realize that she was with us through it all. She lived in NM, TX, OK, AZ, CA, and Korea. She welcomed and adored 3 baby boys and somehow managed to gracefully and subtly protect them fiercely, while licking and chasing them. She was my constant companion, especially when Heath was gone, which was (is) often - my security, my friend, the only other female in this house. She hovered at every meal time, enjoying the abundant table droppings, especially from AJ who was more than happy to share with "Ih-Wah". She was timid and scared, nervous and submissive - a product of her first owner most likely. I hate that she ever knew cruelty and was never able to completely lose that fear. In the end she was in pain. Calcium deficiency was her diagnosis. We had just started her on calcium supplements as well as pain killers and arthritis medication. In the 36 hours before her passing I think she was saying good bye. In the last hours she came to my side to rest. Then, at 6:00 am on Sunday morning, May 2, 2010 she began to struggle with her breathing. I sat with her on her bed and told her it was OK, that she was a good girl and that I loved her. Her suffering was brief, and she died a beautiful, tenderhearted dog. Our family is heartbroken, the sense of loss overwhelming. Her presence is everywhere - her absence, crushing. I have no words to describe my sadness. I look for her in the backyard, I expect to see her when I walk down the stairs, I have twice now gone to fill her empty water bowl..... I know that time heals all wounds, but I know that I will forever miss our beloved dog. As I sit here crying like a baby I don't know what else to write to lock in this emotion that I feel right now. Good bye Izzy Lou. I hope that you will be there to greet me when I come through Heaven's door.