In Loving Memory of Diane

  

I never had the pleasure of meeting Diane in person, I wish I had.  I met her through a Giant Schnauzer Group on yahoo.  E-Mail only.  It is amazing how you can come to know a person or think you can through e-mail or an online group. 

 

Diane was in her late 50’s or early 60’s, not sure, but that doesn’t really matter, she was a good person and loved her Giant Schnauzers.  She had also loved her husband, Thomas, whom she lost a few years ago. 

 

The first time I ever had any dealings with Diane is when we were fostering Sissy, a wonderful 6 year old Giant who had spent her life in a pen being bred and giving birth to puppies.  Sissy had to be spayed, have a dental, her hips x-rayed, and she had an awful infection and she had open wounds on her elbows and head.  Out of the blue, Diane sent a check to our vet for $500.00 dollars to help cover Sissy’s vet bills.   I was dumbfounded, it was so generous and we didn’t expect it or ask for it.  Over the next year and a half, Diane and I e-mailed back and forth, she was a lot of fun, had a great sense of humor and was generous to a fault.  She donated an enormous amount of money to Giant Rescues all over.  not us, we were primarily minis and the Giants we did take in with the exception of Sissy, were being fostered for HT-Z (National Giant Schnauzer Rescue) and Diane donated to HT-Z and had for about 10 years prior.  When Griffin came into rescue (see his story at http://www.louisvilleschnauzerrescue.com/Griffin.html ) she sent HT-Z a large check, then when Graham came in 6 months later, (http://www.louisvilleschnauzerrescue.com/Graham.html )she sent another check.  I had never met anyone so generous in my life. 

 

In the last 6 months, Diane’s e-mails became less frequent and when I questioned it, she said she had been out of town traveling and going to and from Atlanta where she was building a house to be closer to her son and grandson.  I thought that was great, because Atlanta isn’t really that far from Louisville and I thought maybe I will finally get to meet this wonderful lady.  She e-mailed one day and said that she had bought a Winnebago and was taking her dogs and going to tour the U.S. with some friends.  I thought good for her.  I admired her.  Then I didn’t hear from her for a long time and I thought well she is having fun. 

 

About a week ago I got an e-mail and the person that e-mailed me asked me how I was dealing with Diane’s passing.  I didn’t even know Diane had died.  I responded that I didn’t even know she was sick, she never said anything.  No reply to that.  Today I found out the whole story.  Diane had committed suicide on Easter Sunday.  She overdosed.  They found her lying on her bed, clutching her husband’s Urn.  She had mailed a letter to her neighbor instructing her what to do when she received the letter.  Diane had left instructions about where she wanted her dogs to go and if they couldn’t go there, they were to be Euthanized and scattered with hers and Thomas’ ashes.  In the conversation today I learned that Diane was broke, her electricity had been disconnected, there never was a Winnebago, no house in Atlanta or any trips, her own dogs were in bad shape.  Nina, her youngest Giant has Addisons.  Diane was generous to the point of hurting herself.  I don’t know why, I guess we never will know why.   The lady that has Diane’s Giants has now incurred about $7000.00 dollars in vet bills getting them back in shape and now Diane’s Giants need our help.  If you can donate, please visit www.ht-z.org and make sure to put on your donation in loving memory of Diane.  HT-Z will make sure that the money gets to the vet to pay the bills and it is tax deductible. 

 

I have read and re-read all of Diane’s e-mails, trying to figure out where I might have missed a warning, I haven’t put my finger on it yet.  Maybe they weren’t there.  I have cried all day thinking about Diane, a large void seems to be in my life now, I am not sure I will ever get over it or if the wound will ever heal. 

 

Diane, wherever you are you will be greatly missed, not because you donated money, but because you were you.  The Giants lost a great friend, in fact we all did.  If you had only told us, we would have all helped you and not given it a second thought. 

 

I love you Diane, wherever you are.