Chapter 46: The Sun And The Moon And The Stars

It’s been six years since the death of my beloved orange tabby, Steven, even though it seems like yesterday. After he died, I wrote a story for Northside San Francisco that remai... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chatper 47: Holistic veterinary care

Treating the system, not the cancer

By Richard Palmquist

In Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine (CAVM) and integrative veterinary practice, we work cooperatively with our patients’ biological systems as we attempt to gent... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 48: The things I’ve learned from Jasmine

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Her smile is kind and warm And with her laugh she could calm a storm You know I find peace in her eyes And oh the things I’ve learned from Jasmine And oh the things she could... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 49: The dogs that wandered in and out my door

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

And oh you’re on your way, such a beautiful day, and nothing can bring you down now And oh you’re blown away, sorrowless days, you’re livin’ in the moment A... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 50: When the child becomes the parent

My father would have celebrated his 80th birthday January 23. I think of him every day, but especially on that day because it reminds me of what a childlike love he had for birthda... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 51: The final chapter … for now: ‘Fibrosarcomas are nasty suckers,’ the vet had told me

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

When Jazzy was diagnosed with a malignant fibrosarcoma tumor at age four, Dr. Alain Theon, chief of oncology at UC Davis, told me that she had three to six months to live. I was in... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 52: The pit bull genocide

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

gen·o·cide \ˈje-nə-ˌsīd\ Noun: The deliberate killing of a large group, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation. On July 11, 2012, a black dog named Lennox wa... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 53: What she deserves

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

A recent visit to the UC Davis Veterinary Hospital brought some bad news: The cancer has spread to Jazzy’s lungs and lymph nodes. Though she’s still the same happy, eccentric pit bull she ever was (chasing squirrels in the garden, sniffing and peeing on every bush around Stow Lake, going crazy whenever Jim Cramer is on TV)... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 54: Saying goodbye to Mommy’s little girl

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Arms opened wide and as you leave the other side of life No turning back the door will never crack again All that we’ve gone through How could I have known, I’d lose yo... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 55: A morning glory in the storm

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

With every breath I take The more you slip away Learning how to let it fade is so hard Distant as a star, out there in the dark A million miles from where you are is too far I alr... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 56: The heavens remain

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Suddenly the sky grew dark. As rain started pouring down, I closed my eyes, raised my face, and let it wash away my tears.... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 57: Coming home

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Oh sweet angel of mine Gone to sail through the night In my heart you’ll always be I hope that you’ll remember me Wherever you are Goodnight, goodnight, My sweet love y... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Chapter 58: Coming home, Part 2

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Still far away From where I belong But it’s always darkest Before the dawn … I’m coming home, I’m coming home Tell the world I’m coming home Let the r... Read More

Jasmine Blue's Tails of the Dog Park

Special Edition: Honor Jazzy’s memory by helping the many animals in need

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

As summer turns to fall, Jazzy's morning glory is once again winding up the white trellis in Kickie's garden. It's hard to believe that a year has passed since I lost Jasmine Blue to cancer. ... Read More

Jasmine Blue’s Tails of the Dog Park