| Martini |
| Providing the gift of independence & love… one dog at a time® |
| Canine Support Teams, Inc. |
| "Changing the way the world thinks about disabilities, one dog at a time" ® |
| 951-301-3625 cstmain@caninesupportteams.org |
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Dear Carol,
It is with a great deal of sadness I find myself writing this letter. I really do not believe I can adequately express the sorrow that both
Serena and I feel for the loss in your life. There is no way for me to try to equate my feelings to yours.
Now I find myself at a loss of the “right” words to say. However, it is important to me for you to know that I feel the loss of an
extremely important member of the CST family with your Marti’s passing. Yesterday, when I received this terrible news, I just could
not bring myself to try and to put into words what my feelings were. As hard as we might try, those of us who have had the life
experience that afforded us the opportunity to receive one of these special “gifts,” which we chose to entitle Service Dogs it seems
an impossible task to explain to others exactly what our partners mean to our life. In no way can I feel the hurt you are experiencing
now, but I can relate to the partnership you had with Marti. Albeit in too small of a dose, I cherish the “personal” relationship I had
with your boy. And, I can never express how honored I was when you asked me to work with him in your office that day, when
teaching Marti how to “hide.” This small encounter allowed me to see just how bright he was and how warm it felt to be close to him in
a physical manner.
I must admit feeling somewhat cheated for not having the opportunity to have spent more time with this most special boy throughout
the years. It makes me so proud to have had the pleasure of witnessing the”magic” your Marti put into so many lives. Oh yes, it was
so easy to see how people gravitated toward him whenever I was in California. There is no doubt his loss will be felt by many, and
the example he set for other Service Dogs at a level we can only hope to achieve. Marti was so special to so many and, you were so
gracious in sharing him with the public. Oh, there will be other great ambassadors for CST but, the bar has been set high by your
partner. His time on this earth will be treasured by so many. Selfishly, I wish I could have had the opportunity to give him one more
hug and, moreover I wish I was there to give you one. (And, you know this is “something” coming from one non-people hugging
person to another.).
When I mention magic while writing my thoughts concerning your partner, it is no understatement. Marti has been an integral part of
so many lives. The calmness, kindness, sensitivity, and sincerity demonstrated by you speaks volumes for this extraordinary boy, I
know first-hand all the “other” ways these “gifts” help us in our life. Oh yes, we are more independent but, there is more they do in
our everyday life. Those mornings when we do not want to get up the times we just want to throw our hands up in the air and, then
we look down at our side and there he/she is with those beautiful eyes telling us to just go on for one more day; to just go on,
because they will be beside us. And, believe me Carol Marti will always be there with you always be by your side always telling you to
give it one more try. And then, you will for him, and for so many others. Yes, he has done a lot for many but, oh so much more for
you. The part he played in bringing so much joy into your life is a story within itself. And, the smiles he brought to so many are now
being rewarded in his new home from where he watches over all of us.
The memories made for you from the journey and adventures you have shared with one another will now always be with you. Right
now this probably does not seem like much, but I feel confident it will remain a very important part of your life throughout your years
on this earth. The thing to celebrate is having the knowledge that you will one day begin another journey with your Marti in eternity. I
believe this is true, as, he simply is a part of who you are.
Oh yes, you will see Marti in the future only this time, the two of you will be running together. Just remember this Marti is in the only
place and with the only ONE who is capable of loving him as much as you. And, for this – we should all be thankful.
Once again, I can only speculate as to how hard this time has been on you. The battles fought have been astronomical, and many
have been won. It is so important for you to remember you competed in this odyssey with your partner, “together.” And because of
this, you never had to face any challenge alone. The final battle may seem to have been lost, but the ultimate victory is both yours
and his. Now you know your beloved friend is without pain or worry, and waiting for you to join hm in His peace. Moreover, Marti is
saving that “special” piece of your heart he took with him, so he can give it back when you two are once again together.
I wish there was a way Serena or I could take away your pain. Please do know we are with you in thought, in spirit, and in prayer. If
there is anything either of us can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. And, please allow me to thank you for so many others for
sharing your “pride and joy” with us throughout these many years. Oh yes, there should have been more but, we should always
cherish whatever time we did have together.
I know Serena will be sending some words of her own but, I just had to try and express some of my feelings and, I thank you for
allowing me to do so.
I realize you have reached peace with the passing of your beloved Marti, and you understand he is safe and happy. Regardless, I
know there will be days you’ll wake up and just wonder what you are supposed to do when he is not there. I want you to know, when
these times arise, I believe he is looking down on you, now all-knowing, saying everything is okay, and he is continuing to bring
smiles to others – only now, they are on the faces of angels.
With my love and respect,
Jim
Dear Carol,
It is with a great deal of sadness I find myself writing this letter. I really do not believe I can adequately express the sorrow that both
Serena and I feel for the loss in your life. There is no way for me to try to equate my feelings to yours.
Now I find myself at a loss of the “right” words to say. However, it is important to me for you to know that I feel the loss of an
extremely important member of the CST family with your Marti’s passing. Yesterday, when I received this terrible news, I just could
not bring myself to try and to put into words what my feelings were. As hard as we might try, those of us who have had the life
experience that afforded us the opportunity to receive one of these special “gifts,” which we chose to entitle Service Dogs it seems
an impossible task to explain to others exactly what our partners mean to our life. In no way can I feel the hurt you are experiencing
now, but I can relate to the partnership you had with Marti. Albeit in too small of a dose, I cherish the “personal” relationship I had
with your boy. And, I can never express how honored I was when you asked me to work with him in your office that day, when
teaching Marti how to “hide.” This small encounter allowed me to see just how bright he was and how warm it felt to be close to him in
a physical manner.
I must admit feeling somewhat cheated for not having the opportunity to have spent more time with this most special boy throughout
the years. It makes me so proud to have had the pleasure of witnessing the”magic” your Marti put into so many lives. Oh yes, it was
so easy to see how people gravitated toward him whenever I was in California. There is no doubt his loss will be felt by many, and
the example he set for other Service Dogs at a level we can only hope to achieve. Marti was so special to so many and, you were so
gracious in sharing him with the public. Oh, there will be other great ambassadors for CST but, the bar has been set high by your
partner. His time on this earth will be treasured by so many. Selfishly, I wish I could have had the opportunity to give him one more
hug and, moreover I wish I was there to give you one. (And, you know this is “something” coming from one non-people hugging
person to another.).
When I mention magic while writing my thoughts concerning your partner, it is no understatement. Marti has been an integral part of
so many lives. The calmness, kindness, sensitivity, and sincerity demonstrated by you speaks volumes for this extraordinary boy, I
know first-hand all the “other” ways these “gifts” help us in our life. Oh yes, we are more independent but, there is more they do in
our everyday life. Those mornings when we do not want to get up the times we just want to throw our hands up in the air and, then
we look down at our side and there he/she is with those beautiful eyes telling us to just go on for one more day; to just go on,
because they will be beside us. And, believe me Carol Marti will always be there with you always be by your side always telling you to
give it one more try. And then, you will for him, and for so many others. Yes, he has done a lot for many but, oh so much more for
you. The part he played in bringing so much joy into your life is a story within itself. And, the smiles he brought to so many are now
being rewarded in his new home from where he watches over all of us.
The memories made for you from the journey and adventures you have shared with one another will now always be with you. Right
now this probably does not seem like much, but I feel confident it will remain a very important part of your life throughout your years
on this earth. The thing to celebrate is having the knowledge that you will one day begin another journey with your Marti in eternity. I
believe this is true, as, he simply is a part of who you are.
Oh yes, you will see Marti in the future only this time, the two of you will be running together. Just remember this Marti is in the only
place and with the only ONE who is capable of loving him as much as you. And, for this – we should all be thankful.
Once again, I can only speculate as to how hard this time has been on you. The battles fought have been astronomical, and many
have been won. It is so important for you to remember you competed in this odyssey with your partner, “together.” And because of
this, you never had to face any challenge alone. The final battle may seem to have been lost, but the ultimate victory is both yours
and his. Now you know your beloved friend is without pain or worry, and waiting for you to join hm in His peace. Moreover, Marti is
saving that “special” piece of your heart he took with him, so he can give it back when you two are once again together.
I wish there was a way Serena or I could take away your pain. Please do know we are with you in thought, in spirit, and in prayer. If
there is anything either of us can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. And, please allow me to thank you for so many others for
sharing your “pride and joy” with us throughout these many years. Oh yes, there should have been more but, we should always
cherish whatever time we did have together.
I know Serena will be sending some words of her own but, I just had to try and express some of my feelings and, I thank you for
allowing me to do so.
I realize you have reached peace with the passing of your beloved Marti, and you understand he is safe and happy. Regardless, I
know there will be days you’ll wake up and just wonder what you are supposed to do when he is not there. I want you to know, when
these times arise, I believe he is looking down on you, now all-knowing, saying everything is okay, and he is continuing to bring
smiles to others – only now, they are on the faces of angels.
With my love and respect,
Jim
