Tearjerker Video of Woman with Terminal Cancer Making Last Agility Run with Beloved Chinese Crested Diva
Some people give us all the gift of seeing how life should be lived. Lis Kristof is one of these people. She sent an email to her friends lettting them know that she would be dying soon but before that, she and her best friend, a Chinese Crested named Diva, would make one more agility run. Judy was kind enough to share the email and video with us.
Such grace and dignity! We should all meet our life’s end with such beauty! Thank you Lis and Diva.
And you’re right, Judy. Pull out the tissues.
if this don’t make you cry, nothin’ will!
Judy
Here is Lis’ email to her friends and supporters:
To all of my fellow agility competitors and friends,
Last Tuesday I was admitted to hospital, for eight years I have fought breast cancer. I have been diagnosed now with AML Leukemia and have been given approximately three weeks to spend on this wonderful earth. I have chosen not to do any more chemo as I believe I have received and given all this life has to give and take.
With the help of my dear friends in Dallas we were able to talk the Dr’s into spring me out of hospital today. Tomorrow at the Dallas Agility Working Group’s trial I will run my darling Chinese Crested Diva for the last time - it wont be pretty, no one will be able to guess who’s handling style I will use and I don’t even know myself - just staying on my feet will be an achievement and to run with my very best friend and to be among friends will be enough to give me the energy I need to get through the day.I am thrilled I will also get to watch the veterans parade and to pay tribute one last time to all the great dogs that have helped form this sport that I so love.
If you want to do anything for me pray that Diva and I can achieve a super Q, it is all we need to become ADCH together, but even if we don’t get it - I know I am blessed to share what time I have with my dogs and my friends.
Please wish Angela Lancaster all the very best with my dogs in the future, I know my dogs will continue to be well loved and respected and they will be in the agility ring again at some time to play.
Many thanks for all your love and support over the years, I am indeed one of the lucky ones that get to say thanks in ‘person’ before my time.
Remember this weekend to enjoy your friends, dogs and should success come, enjoy and embrace it, if it doesn’t never forgot the love of this game and the friendships we have forged. Thanks to everyone who helped me with my journey I sure do appreciate you all.
Run Fast, Run Happy
Lis Kristof
Dallas, TX
this is a beautiful letter and video, it affected me tremendously!
Sarah
YES…this circulated in my inbox last week, and I’ve blogged about it too…I cried like a baby watching this, and can’t even imagine the courage to get through that run without breaking down.
God bless Lis and Diva!!
I cried and cried when I saw the video.
Poor Lisa, she is one of the most brave women. I am sorry for her and that the evils of cancer is taking a sweet dog loving woman.
We are going to pray for Lisa and her sweet Diva. I am so sorry for her but applaud her for being so awesome!
Thank you for posting this, sometimes when we are feeling sorry for ourselves we need to be reminded there are others out there in dire straights.
Thank you for my reality check.
Kim & Coco
Wow, that was beautiful, I cant stop crying, God bless Lisa and little Diva, they will meet again.
Wow. Simply awesome.
All I could think of is…Oh God! How moving and emotional that was. I would have been crying like a baby at the end of that. That was beautiful, too beautiful for words. What an incredible woman and dogmom.
im so sorry for you but i hope you feel great pride by doing all you could to beat your breast cancer and to have that last run with diva must have been so hard emotionally and physically. you are one brave lady and as i watched your video and your email tears rolled down my face. will keep you and yours in my thoughts. my kindest regards sent with love jo and my 4 legged companions. i will hug them close tonight and forever.
Unfortunately Lis lost her brave battle yesterday evening, 5/6/08. The agility world, and dog lovers in general, have lost a true friend and inspiration.
Rest in Peace dear Lis….we will miss you terribly
Donna,
Thank you for sharing this sad news with us. I know Lis must have been met by her beloved dogs who went before her.
Oh my goodness! I cried through the whole thing. I wish everyone could feel the bond that we share with these wonderful creatures we have the priviledge of knowing. You could see and feel it in this video. Diva and Lis are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing your run with us. I am sure it won’t be the last. They have agility trials in Heaven too!
The love and courage between Lis & Diva is so beautiful to watch. I can only hope that the bond I’m building with my darling Lucy will be as strong and loving. We will keep you both in our prayers and I know in my heart that they will play again. Thank you for sharing this very stirring moment with us.
God bless,
Tina & Lucy