Daybreak anchor reflects on grieving a beloved pet
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – 24-Hour News 8’s regularly scheduled segment connected to Pet Pals TV took a personal turn Sunday when Daybreak anchor Drew Blair shared her reflections on the recent death of her beloved dog, “Jager.”
Pet Pals TV host Patty Spitler joined Drew in the studio to discuss grieving a pet as well as Jager’s treatment for lymphoma.
The seven-year-old German Shepherd had become known to viewers and Facebook followers over the years having appeared on Daybreak in August 2014 while undergoing chemotherapy.
On Monday, Drew shared the following message with her family and friends.
Today, I learned that a heart can shatter and feel full all at once. As expected as his death had been, the actual moment Jager passed was anything but. Our best buddy collapsed this morning — one frisbee throw after what I recorded in the video below. These are his final, energetic, spirited, characteristic moments. He was gone seconds later. This wasn’t the way it was “supposed to happen” but… it was. This was the way it was supposed to happen. He spent his very last seconds happy, playful and with one of the many people who could not find a way to love him more (but would always keep trying).
Jager’s lymphoma relapsed for the third time last month. We had reasons to feel optimistic about his prognosis but we can only conclude that despite what tests showed, the cancer took too much a toll. But who won? He was originally given 10-12 months with successful chemotherapy and tomorrow marks 22 months. That and the slower decline diagnosed must not have been his thing so he had it his way.
Matt and I will struggle with the emptiness as will my parents who spent just as much time caring for their Jager-Bager. Filling that space now and ultimately will be the gratefulness that continues to grow over what he left behind — a stronger appreciation for the present.
To watch the heartfelt segment, click on the video.