Dearest Tammy,

So many people love you.  So many animals as well.  You are one of a kind.  The world is a better place having you in it. 

I have had some difficult experiences with Vets in the past in caring for my Elwood, but finding you was like finding an Angel.  You took such good care of him when he needed it most.  You met us every night for a week at the Emergency Animal Hospital you were helping out in, to check the pressure behind his eye when it was bulging out of the socket.  He was 16 at the time and you never once gave up on him.  Your treatment healed him, and I was forever grateful.  Others may have given up on him, but you didn't.  You knew he would be ok.  I always knew that when he was boarded at Sweet Apple with you there, he couldn't have been in any better care.  I knew you loved him as much as I did, and that if he needed anything while I was away, that you would take the best care of him.  Then, this past June, when he wasn't doing so well, and now 17, you still gave him the very best treatment possible (medically and emotionally).  I remember you smiling, rubbing his belly and saying to Elwood "I have seen you get through a lot old man.... why don't you go ahead and surprise us again!".  Again, someone else may have given up on him right away... you didn't.  Eventually, when his condition worsened, you had given me options; to run tests to determine all that was failing in his tired body, or to try to make him as comfortable as possible while we were together.  I know that you gave me those options because at that time you were actually caring for ME.  You knew that I had to make a difficult decision and respected that I may not be ready.  You let me decide.  You didn't try to sway me, you knew that I just needed time.  You had faith in me to make the right decision.  When it was time for Elwood to go, you made sure that you were the doctor to see him, and I remember seeing you with tears welled up in your eyes as we carried him in.  You were so empathetic, you knew what I was going through and you shared my loss with me.  After the sedative, I had asked you for another minute with him - and in that minute he went on to God on his own.  When you came in you had looked at me and said "sometimes the struggle to hold on is so tough, and that when they finally can relax enough, they allow themselves to go".  Those words were the most comforting words I had ever heard.  They validated the toughest decision I ever had to make.  You cried with me, and you hugged me.  You were comforting me, just as you had comforted Elwood.  You were a true blessing, sent by God to share that very moment with me.  I couldn't imagine having gone through that with anyone other than yourself.   Thank you Tammy.  I love you and the person you are.

My newest family members, Jack and Lola have heard wonderful things about you, and they can't wait to meet you!!!!

Be strong and be faithful, God loves you.

With much love and prayers,

Jeanne Cagan, Jack and Lola 

 My Australian Shepherd Scout fell in love with Dr. Tammy when we moved up to Cherokee 4 years ago.
I will always, always remember the way those 2 looked at each other; the big smiles, and the Happy eyes. Scout's nub was wagging furiously and he exuded pure canine contentment.
Tammy even let Scout stay in her office during the day when we boarded.
I just hope that all of us can wish Tammy that same unconditional love.

Scout just turned 14, and has extremely severe hip displasia and is in a lot of pain, and has been moderately incontinent for a couple months now.

Last night when i carried him outside for our good night outing to the back yard, under an almost full moon, he asked to go out from the back yard and to walk down the driveway; something he hadn't done in several months.

Was he wanting to say good bye?

Bill Parks
Woodstock, GA

Margene,

Thank you so much for sharing everything you have with us the past few months. Tammy is such a wonderful person and so many people care about her. I feel it brings all of us great comfort to be informed, no matter how sad it is to hear what our wonderful friend has had to deal with.

With great love,

Pamela, Nick, Will, Nicolas, John, Murphy & Teddy

Tammy gives all of her love to all of us. Somehow, that little girl has
enough love for all of us and all our pets.
She gave our Ladybug & our little Squirt all she had and then some to make
their lives comfortable and peaceful when they were so ill.
We love Tammy so much. It is always a treat to see what new sandals she
might be wearing along with her perfect French Pedicure on those beautiful
little feet of hers.
Bless you, sweet Tam,  for all you have done and for what you mean to us.
Peace and Love,
Debbie & David House
 

Jeff and I are heartbroken.  I pray for God's mercy over Tammy and that she will not suffer any longer.  My 2 cockapoos adore her.  Dr. Tammy has been there with Jeff & I since we first got Chelsea and Chelsea fell in love with her.  We always tell the 'girls' when we drive by the office - "there's Dr. Tammy" and I would swear that they know.  They know when we tell them " we are going to see Dr. Tammy" and they get so excited!  They Love her!! and we do too.

Jeff, Cindy, Chelsea and Chloe Golden

Tammy, I love you so much!  You are so genuinely caring and giving. I admire soooo much the strength and courage you have shown for almost the past two years, through this whole ordeal.  Your always positive, always thinking of the future, never giving up. You would never think twice about putting an animal or a friend before the needs of your own. Tammy, you are truly beautiful inside and out!!!!!!  If I can learn from the way you live your life, it will make me a better person. I miss you and love you!!!!  Love Yvonne

I am just heartbroken. I remember meeting Tammy and liking her instantly. She was bubbly and happy every time we came in. She even offered to help me install hardwood floors in my house!

God love you, Margene - as hard as this has been for us all, it surely has
been even harder for  you.  And, yet you have been so great to keep everyone
informed, and it has been so appreciated, as we have all waited and hoped to
hear the best.  I know that God hears all our prayers for our dear friend,
Tammy, but also I pray for David and all of her family - and lastly for all
of us who thought we were the only special ones.  What a blessing she is to
us all.
Love,
Rowena

> Duffy, our Airedale, loves Dr. Tammy and Dr. Tammy loves Duffy.   Tammy is truly one of the best people we have ever met.  Duffy has had 2 knee replacements (which Dr. Tammy referred us) and had major ear problems when he recovered from one of the knee surgerys - didn't want to wear the "hat".  She took such care of Duffy through everything he's been through.  We know Tammy loves all of her "animals".  She is just the best..................

Diane, Dave and Duffy Riegle

Margene, I am told that  men don't cry. So I must have a tropical
rainstorm here in my room becaue there is something running down my
cheeks. It happens when I think of Tammy, David, and the whole situation
surrounding her illness. She is such s beautiful lady, a real fighter
and still full of joy. I pray for her each day almost constantly. She
has been an inspiration to me and my wife and  I pray that she can seize
the day each day of her life. My little fat puppy, Aubie, misses her
too. I just wish that there was something that I could do to make it all
better. I know that we all do. God bless that little vet.

Bill V.

My wife, Diane and I met Tammy 3 ½ years ago when we “introduced” our Airedale Duffy to her.  The funny thing is we all feel, and are still, in love with Tammy. 

We all wish we could do or say something that would help or ease Tammy’s pain – we feel helpless and know that she would feel exactly the same if the roles were reversed.

Over these past months we’ve read all of the emails and haven’t communicated simply because we weren’t sure how words could help.   Having read some of your emails we now realize words do help.

Tammy’s love for David, her family, her pets and her friends is something very special.  She exudes love and compassion.  We feel very blessed to be three of Tammy’s many friends.

We’ve said a prayer every night the past several months for Tammy and David – we know that everyone on the email list and anyone that has ever met and knows about Tammy has as well.  We also say “Thank You” to God this wonderful Woman and Friend. 

Dave, Diane and Duffy Riegle

I'm all over that, Margene. Count me in. I sure don't mind you sharing my emails with these very nice folks.

Can we send cards/flowers to the inpatient facility?

Thank you AGAIN!

Love to all as I am sure Tammy hears all of our prayers.

Boone

Tammy had always cared for and loved our two German Shorthaired Pointers, Jake and Crickett, but I only came to realize how special she was when we adopted our third GSP, Reesey. Reesey was 14 months old when we got her, and quite a handful. She had never been properly socialized to humans or other dogs, so we were really in way over our heads with this aggressive dog! Unfortunately, Reesey and Crickett fought like crazy for the first three weeks. Fortunately, we had Tammy. While she stitched up our dogs, she stitched up our hearts, too. Each time we came close to giving up on Reesey, Tammy was there to tell us that we  could do it, that we could hang in there and really help this dog if we tried. She celebrated every little victory with us. She cheered when Reesey was well behaved, and gave me a shoulder to cry on when she wasn't. Most importantly,  Tammy gave me a pat on the back when everyone else thought I was nuts for believing in this dog.

 At the time, I thought it was the most difficult struggle ever. Little did I know that Tammy was embarking on her own impossibly difficult struggle. To think that she had the energy to encourage us when she was fighting herself humbles me beyond measure. 

We are all blessed to have this amazing woman touch our lives.  I pray every day that Tammy and David will find the peace they so richly deserve.

Ron and Elisa Herbert

Jake, Crickett and Reesey

Please tell Tammy that we love her and are praying so hard for her to find peace and be out of the terrible pain she is in. Zeke sends an Extra big hug to her. Kelley,Adam, Ethan and Zeke 
 

Kelley Zisser

My husband Chuck was one who said that he wears yellow everyday for Tammy.
We both do.  We LIVESTRONG for Tammy and will forever.

I've cried everyday for the past several days thinking about her.  I miss
seeing her at the vet.  For a while, we didn't go in to SweetApple as often,
knowing that she wasn't there.  We didn't want to see another vet - we
wanted DR. TAMMY.

I know that Tammy is special and so do all of you.  Stop to think about it -
most of us wouldn't be this upset over our own doctor, or our pediatrician,
or our dentist, or some other "professional" in our lives.  But Tammy is
special.  This is a person who is spending her life caring for and treating
animals, the creatures that have no voices.  These are not just our cats and
dogs, they are our babies, our family members.  I don't have a family of 4,
I have a family of 6!!! (2 children that walk on 2 legs and 2 children that
walk on 4)

I miss Tammy very much, and I can see her plain as day.  Bright smiling
face, red hair curled up a little at the ends and definitely with some
snappy sandals on (she always wore sandals didn't she?).

Everyday though, we LIVESTRONG for Tammy and for David.  You are both in our
prayers.  God bless!!

Love,
Lara Cooley
Mommy to Jake and Wilson Cooley (chocolate and yellow goofball labs)

P.S.:  I'll let Chuck tell you all about the story of Wilson the escape
artist and his adventures at SweetApple...

Tammy -

It's amazing to meet someone in your ordinary life who genuinely touches people every day in extraordinary ways.  You would be the first to say that you have done nothing special.  But those of us who know you, all these who have written their stories and felt "special" to you, know that it is not a coincidence that our paths have crossed.  You are a blessing in a world that needs to be blessed.

I remember the day Margene told me that they had found a wonderful vet and she was so excited you were coming to Sweetapple.  I didn't really think much about it, to be honest.  I love my dogs but kind of believed a vet is just a vet.  Then I met you.  To be honest, the first time I saw you, I thought, "well, she's awfully young and she sure doesn't look like a vet."  Isn't it amazing how past experience influences our perception of the way we THINK things should be?  And now, I want every vet to be Tammy Pendergrass.

You helped me in ways you will never know through the difficult "it's time" decisions with Bubba and Baby Girl.  I know you loved them and felt the pain with me. 

I love you with all my heart and cling to the verse we quoted together at the hospital.  Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not evil, plans for a future and a hope.

I don't know what the future holds but I know that we will meet again some day.

Tanya
Baby Girl, Bubba, Sam, Sassy, Corky and Sasha 

Dear Margene -

Thank you so much for keeping us informed about Tammy.  We have been praying so fervently ever since we found out that Tammy was sick that this horrible disease could be stopped in its tracks and that Tammy would get well.  It seems that our prayers are not going to be answered in the way we hoped.  Even so, our God is an awesome God and He has touched people through Tammy that might otherwise not know Him.  We don't know why things like this happen to people we love but have to trust that God has an ultimate plan for us.

Our hearts break with the thought that our animals won't be able to feel Tammy's gentle love and care for them again.  She sent us the most beautiful note of thanks after learning our little stray cat (whom we instantly adopted) was pregnant and then later when Kalli had to have an emergency C-section to save her life and the lives of 3 adorable kittens.  She thanked us for accepting the responsibility to care for and love God's little creatures that would otherwise have been lost.   Tammy's kindness and compassion have been a gift to all. 

May God bless you and all of those that have been intimately involved in Tammy's care.  Knowing her has been God's gift to us all.

Much love,

Sandy and Ted Cerstvik

Kirby, Kaiya, Kalli, Chloe and Pebbles

Though my story is not as long, I still would like to share it with everyone.

I worked at Sweet Apple a while back, and met Tammy through being a Kennel Tech.

She was always very, very nice to me, and always let me watch her do surgeries. We would

hold short conversations about horses, and her beautiful dogs. I would

watch her and listen to her advice to all the vet techs; I was amazed at how easily

and how experienced she was with the animals-- she even helped me worm my own cats!

As I worked I gained knowledge through her inspiring work. Everyday I think about Tammy

and how much of an inspiration she is. Now I have applied at Berry College and plan on transferring

to Auburn, the school she attended, to be a veterinarian or inspiration to the next child willing to help animals.

I love Tammy and I really believe she will pull through.

Love,

Alicia Correia, & the animals at home.

St. Theresa's Prayer: 

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities 

that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us. 

I saw this on a church sign and think it is a wonderful thing:

Get Rich Quick -- Count Your Blessings!

Dear Margene:

I am most appreciative of keeping  up with Tammy and all those who love her
through the e-mails. 

I think she is a wonderful human being with such a great love for all those
around her.  My yellow lab, Solomon, loved her too.  She was so gentle and
treated him with such respect.

I saw her around the last days that she was able to work.  She was in a lot
of pain on that day but gave Solomon much love and care.

I pray for Tammy and have my Mt Paran choir e-mail praying for her also.  I
have had a few calls asking abour her too. 

We are blessed that Tammy is a part of our lives and that we will always
love and remember her. 

My prayer is that God will give her great mercy and deliver her from this
tragic disease.  I pray also that her friends and David will know His
presence and find peace during these most difficult days.

Much Love
Barbara Prewett

What a beautiful site. My deepest thoughts and prayers go out of course
to Tammy! What an inspiration!
I just wanted to send an extra thanks out to Pam Beebe for sharing these
thoughts and pictures with us. Also a big thanks for setting up a foundation to
raise money to help find a cure for cervical cancer. Tammy is a very lucky woman
to have such a wonderful friend as dear as you. Keep up the great work. I know
Tammy is proud of you!

Tonya Jo Craven

Margene, what a great and wonderful person you are.  Thank you so much
for all that you have done and all that you continue to do.  I know that I can
speak for everyone by saying that you loved and appreciated.  You never failed
to keep us all in the loop recalling all of the good and bad events that were
going on with Tammy.  You are the true definition of a friend.  Today was the
day that I had been dreading and although she is in a better place I will truly
miss her.  Once again THANK YOU Margene.

Sincerely,
Tammy Shuman