love never ends

it is with a heavy heart, that i post that we lost gayle today.  she was about 22 months post amputation for soft tissue sarcoma, and was nearing the one year date of identifying the existence of oral melanoma.  she had two surgeries to remove the oral tumors, and continued to battle up to the end.  in the last two months, we discovered additional melanomas in her lymphatic system which were extremely aggressive.  sometimes, in battle, everything you have just isn’t enough.  gayle died a hero, a true tripawd warrior princess.

we appreciate all of the support we’ve received, especially from jim & rene, ge’lena, karen, the list goes on.  there were a few disappointments, when folks that we’d so valiantly supported, chose to close the door on us as we continued to fight.  at this terrible time of sadness in our house, you guys know who you are, and out of respect for gayle, i ask that you not post a comment.

it will be a blue christmas without you, my sister.  love never ends.

Author: etgayle

gayle developed a small lump in her right front wrist. biopsy determined it was a soft tissue sarcoma, with amputation feb 17, 2010. she's recovering nicely, taking naps when needed, and enjoying every moment of every wonderful day. in december 2010 we discovered oral melanoma cancer. gayle had two surgeries to remove tumors, but the ugly disease took her from us december 12, 2011. love never ends.

45 thoughts on “love never ends”

  1. Oh my god.

    Words just seem so useless right now. We don’t even know what to say. “Sorry” just seems trite.

    Gayle, you will never be gone. A warrior like you lives forever.

    Charon, we are here for you. Please know that.

  2. No no no.

    I’m so sad and so sorry to see this news. I had no idea she was near the end. We loved Gayle so much and she is a huge hero to us – she will always remain a hero.

    She is a TRUE Warrior Princess and will always live on in your hearts.

    Sending great big hugs and healing kisses from Abby.
    Jackie

  3. I’m so sorry!

    We are so lucky for every single day we get to spend with our best friends.

    Sending much love to you Charon.

  4. Oh Charon, I am so, so sorry. I know you don’t have time, energy or motivation to go through these comments right now. Please know I am stunned, incredibly saddened–and here if you need a shoulder. You’ve been such a support for so many. Please tell us how we can be there for you now.

    Shari

  5. I am soooo sorry!!!!! Our hearts go out to you!!!!

    Ted E Bear will show you the way Gayle. He is there with open paws.

    Izzy

  6. Oh Charon, this news is just awful. I’m so sorry for your pain. You and Gayle were just so lucky to have eachother – I’m so very sorry for your loss. Gayle was such a warrior princess and had the strength for her amazing journey because of you. She’ll be with you in spirit always. Please know you have our warmest thoughts to get you through this difficult time. Please know we’re here to support you always!

    xoxo Sue

  7. We are so very sorry, Charon. Please know we are thinking about you and praying that you are coping as well as can be expected.

    Gayle was a rock star and an amazing role model. You are too.

    Love never ends.

    Rhonda and Lincoln

  8. Charon, my heart just went to my stomach as I read this about Gayle on the Tripawds Facebook page. Know that I am very upset for you and very shocked by this. Gayle fought a valiant fight! She was such a strong Tripawd Warrior…we love you Gayle…R.I.P.

    XOXO
    Tracy & Maggie

  9. Oh Charon, I am so sorry to hear this! Many prayers and hugs to you, and healing kisses from Katy.

  10. tripawd warrior princess sleep tight. I am so sorry for your loss sending massses of love to you

  11. My heart sank, too, when I saw that post on facebook. There are no words. You’ve been such a great support for me here. I didn’t realize the melanoma had reached this point either. You were so busy supporting others….I just hope I can help you in some small way in return. Gayle was so amazing! Hold on to that memory of how wonderful she was, hopefully it will help you through this hard time.

    Leslie

  12. Charon,
    I am so sorry to hear about Gayle. From all I’ve read, she sounds like a true fighter. Now she is running pain free with all of her Tripawd friends at the Bridge. Fergus and some of his new friends will be sure to welcome her. I know how hard this time is but I can promise you each day gets a little easier. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Tara

  13. Charon, I am so sorry. I was truly shocked to read your post. Gayle was one of our true Tripawd heros. We are here for you and we send you our love. Daisy was there to great her I am sure. I would always tell her that Charon and Gayle said that she needed to take a medicinal nap…and she always did.
    Bob, Julie, Samson and Lady.

  14. Charon –
    We just can’t stop crying. We saw your post and are so sad.
    You are Gayle are true warrior princesses and we have always admired your strength and love for one another.
    You, Don, Sam and the kitties are all in our thoughts and hearts.
    You always say it the best ….. love never ends.
    Annie, Brian and Ginger

  15. Charon,

    My heart dropped to my stomach, and I dropped my mobile device when I just read the post on the facebook page. I am so stunned. I didn’t know her melanoma had reached that point. You and Gayle have been such a support for all of us, and especially me, please let me know what I can do to help you. You guys are the standard of warriors and I can’t think of a time when you didn’t stand by me or any of us. Please let us do that for you.

    My heart is broken for you and I am crying with you. My Chili Dawg greeted her with a kiss (he loves the ladies, you know) and is showing her where all the good places are.

    You always say it the best, Love never ends.

    Sending you hugs,

    Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg

  16. Oh Charon, I am still in shock after reading the news a few hours ago. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. You and Gayle have been such a blessing to this community. We all are crying with you today….

    Sue and Nova

  17. You have been such a giver to this community, one of the pillars that holds this place together. Greeting new tripawd owners (like myself last year), keeping up with blogs, sewing magic juju socks and toys, fundraising, and so much more. I have appreciated your support over the last year and regret not finding time in my crazy grad school schedule over the last few months for keeping up with Gayle’s life the way you have with Chloe’s.

    I find it difficult not to post a comment like you asked because it is our turn as a community to support you through this time. Gayle was a hero, a black beauty warrior princess, that now runs free with our other fur babies that have passed.

    Chloe and I will take medicinal naps in her honor.

    -Nicole and Chloe

  18. Charon, I am just so sad to hear this news. I wish I had something more comforting to say, as your words were such a comfort when I lost Bo. Gayle’s story touched us when we first joined tripawds; she was a true Tripawd hero. Take time to grieve and hold closely all of the beautiful memories you had with her.

  19. Charon,

    I don’t have the words to say how very sorry we are. Gayle was so much a part of our battle, too, a valiant warrior to admire and respect, a fearless leader to follow. Her’s was the voice of reason when it seemed as if reason had abandoned us. We are sending you all of our friendship and support. You’ve been there for me and Rio every time we’ve needed it, so if there’s anything at all we can do to show our support for you, please know you just need to ask.

    Micki and Rio

  20. Wow, we are so sad to hear the news.

    I don’t know what to say except we are here to help and support you.

    We wish you peace and fond memories of an amazing dog and the courageous battle that you both fought.

    Tears are being shed, you have our thoughts and prayers.

    So sorry, the chauffeur.

  21. Charon… I have no words for you to express the sorrow we feel here at this horrible news. You and Gayle were always there for Cooper and I and as time goes by and the loss friends made like Gayle, just hurt so bad. This post is one of the ones I didnt expect to see.. I am in shock at this. I know how very much you love Gayle, and please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you immediately if not sooner… run free beautiful Gayle, I am sure Cooper was there to greet you!

    Coopsdad

  22. I am so, so sorry. She fought so hard and you have been such a wonderful source of support and information for those of us going through the same things. ((hugs)) to you right now.

  23. Charon,
    In honor of Gayle, I am wearing my beautful blue socks you and Gayle knitted with Gayle’s juju all over them. When I put them on, Scarlett and Kobe couldn’t contain themselves as they sniffed and sniffed as I walked – it was quite comical to see them go crazy over these socks. Yep, it’s the Gayle juju in the air. So comforting…..

    We are thinking of you and know that this is such a heartbreaking time. We are here for you.
    Sending you lots of golden juju and love your way,
    Kami, Angel Mackenzie, Kobe and Scarlett

  24. I am so very sorry, Charon. You and Gayle are such an inspiration in this ongoing battle. Thank you for supporting me when Sophie was so ill. I wish you peace as you go through this very sad time.

    Tana and Angel Sophie

  25. We have been so very blessed to have you and Gayle here with us. I just saw her tripawd banner and it is beautiful. We are sending our best heart healing wishes until you meet again! I’m going to treasure her memory and that lovely ornament you made for us out of love for her!
    Bud and his mom

  26. I still can’t seem to find words to express my sadness in losing Gayle. The aching heart won’t allow me.

    So tonight I have to write to Gayle:

    Gayle,
    Thank you for bringing Charon to me, a sister I never had. A true sister that brings me joy, happiness, love and laughter. A sister that is there for me in the darkest days and a sister that makes the days brighter.

    I’m terribly sorry that is was cancer that found your way here but you have gifted me with something that I would have never had and something that will last forever – just like your love.

    Thank you Gayle. Thank you with all of my heart.
    With all my love,
    Ge’Lena

  27. Oh this is so heartbreaking to read, our beautiful Princess Warrior ~ our special, brilliant girl. This is so hard to hear of her passing, please know you are so in our thoughts.
    Sending much love and huggs
    Joanne & lylee
    xoxo

  28. Peace be with you Tripawd Warrior Princess Gayle. Thank you for picking out the most perfect Tripawd Christmas ornament on the planet just for us. It is currently the only ornament on our tree and we will think of you and your story as we hang it each year.

    Charon, we are so sorry for your loss. But you know that Gayle will never really leave you, your love for her and hers for you will indeed never end.

    A howl from the Oaktown Pack goes out over the land tonight, can you hear it there in East Tennessee?

    xoxox,
    Martha, Ralph, and the Oaktown Pack +1

  29. The heavens will have another star with them tonight. I’m sure that Gayle and Spirit Hope are running around the bridge tonight and laughing because they have their legs back and they can run soooooooo fast.

    You and Gayle were there to support me and Hope (and so many others that needed help) after her amputation. Your words were encouraging, caring, and from the heart.

    Warrior Princess and Spirit Hope will be waiting for us at the Bridge one day and we will all run like kids without a worry or fear. Until then, Gayle will be with her tripawds friends, who will stay with her. She will never be alone again.

    With our love and utmost respect,

    Barb and Spirit Hope

  30. I am so very sad tonight. I’m sad that I can’t be there to give you a big hug and tell you how sorry I am. I’m also angry. I’m angry at the cancer that has taken so much from all of us. Gayle was a beautiful, incredible girl and I know that the hole in your heart is huge. I’m so sorry….

  31. I just found out right now, oh my God. I am devistated. Charon, I didn’t know she wasn’t doing well. It’s like being hit by a mack truck…
    We are sending you so much love, please know it is like you said, love never ends.
    I can’t even type right now, I can’t see the screen. We will talk soon.
    Hugs and sharing your grief,
    Elizabeth and Sammy

  32. Charon,
    I don’t usually read the blogs, but was told that you had posted here yesterday about Gayle. I am so very sorry to read about your great loss. You’ve always been a great support here for all of us, and it shows by the number of comments – just how much you mean to all of us. Melanoma sucks, I hate it! I hate cancer!
    Sending you lots of golden hugs. Know that Gayle is now having a great time with all of our Angel Tripawds and Angel MB’s that are at the bridge.

    So saddened, so very sorry….Cathy

  33. Max’s ornament is on the tree. It already meant so much to us, but now it is even more special. It will be cherished for many, many years to come, just like the memory and legacy of Gayle. Sending healing thoughts your way.

  34. I’m so sorry Charon. Gayle was such a special girl and I feel lucky to have met her. I will always cherish the lessons that she has taught to so many of us. At Christmas each year when hanging our ornament, I will remember Gayle and her wonderful family. I know how terribly sad you must be right now and I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

  35. I can not imagine what you are feeling right now. I only know that my heart is broken for you. I read every post and one thing is certain. You are very loved. Know that. I think that our dogs are a reflection of us as people- of how we live and love. Your dog was clearly a unique and gentle soul. I have no doubt you are the same. I pray every night for my dog but tonight I pray for you and your family and your sweet dog. xo

  36. Oh my God, Charon . . . I can’t believe you’ve lost your beautiful girl. You and Gayle were among the first to comment on Sweet Sylvia’s blog when we became part of this community and have always been so supportive and kind in responding to everyone’s posts! I can’t tell you how much you and Gayle have meant and continue to mean to me and my Sweet Spirit Sheepdog. It didn’t matter what topic it was you commented on, one couldn’t help but fall in love with Gayle and with you, her mom.

    My angel Sylvie, my husband Jim, and our other fuzzy family members Banjo and Charlie have you and your family in our prayers. I have always loved what you write when you state that “Love never ends” and am so happy for you that this wonderful girl was part of your life. It’s clear how much you and she loved one another.

    I’m certain that Spirit Sylvie is playing with Gayle at the bridge right now, and the thought is making me smile.

  37. Charon,
    I am so very sorry to learn of Gayle’s passing. 🙁 I have not been on facebook or tripawds lately and I had no idea until this evening.

    I proudly hung your Christmas card with beautiful Gayle on our door as soon as I received it and I just commented to my hubby how much Gayle reminds me of Charley.

    In time, may memories of your sweet Gayle bring you smiles and happiness instead of only tears and sadness.

    Godspeed sweet Gayle. Run free at Rainbow Bridge with all of the tripawd heroes that have gone before you. Send your mommy & daddy pennies when you can!

    With our deepest sympathies….
    Ellen & Charley

  38. Charon,

    I am so late in posting on Tripawds, but I wanted you to know Gayle was one of the first warrior princesses I read about on Tripawds back when we came here for the first time. Gayle will always be a courageous hero to our family. I am so so so sorry for your loss. The saying “love never ends” rings so true. I hope your sweet memories of her keep her playing in your heart. Hugs to you.

    Nancy & Butchey

  39. I just read about your loss. I am so sorry. I came to your blog because you have so generously taken the time to give us support and encouragement as we start our tripawd journey with our dog Hunter. Thank you, and you are so right….. Love never ends.

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