Tammy is the best vet we have ever had. She not only became close friends with our animals but came to be close to heart with all of us. She went out of her way and showed up to small claims court in Cobb County as a witness
to a suit filed against The Pet Company. We purchased a beautiful boxer puppy,
Juno, and only had her for 28 days before she passed away. Tammy quickly diagnosed her with cancer that she apparently was born with and assisted us throughout the entire ordeal. We had to sue The Pet Company to get our money
back on the puppy as well as medical expenses. Im sure you all know how expensive all that could have been! We felt like we lost a child. If it was not for Tammy we would have never won. We knew she was not just an ordinary vet from
that point on. Through time, we managed to get another boxer, Roxy, who Tammy fell in love with. She has always been there for our animals and for us. She is not just our animal Doctor...she is a friend at heart! We love you Tammy!
Robyn, Jennifer and Hayden
Roxy, Chase and Disaster (animals)

This morning I lost one of my dearest friends, but my loss is definetly God's gain. Working with Tammy was one of the best experiences I've ever had. In business, as in life, there are always a few bad apples. There were a few
clients that I would actually hide from when they walked into Sweetapple. Tammy
found something to love in even the toughest characters. She taught me a lot
about patience and compassion. After I left Sweetapple to be a full-time
Grandma, Tammy and I talked regularly. She called one day to say they were
eating popcorn at the clinic and she was so sad that I wasn't there to fight
with her over the half-popped kernels. I still have that message on my
answering machine and I cherish hearing the sunny sound of her voice. My
youngest son Matthew shared the same birthday as Tammy. He will be 21 on
October 30th. Every year he would stop by the clinic and make it a point to see
his "birthday buddy". This birthday will be a tough one for him without having his buddy to celebrate with, but he and I know she is already
celebrating in heaven.Tammy was not just a co-worker, she was family.We will all miss her, but we will all carry a piece of her spirit with us.
Tammy I love you and look forward to seeing you again someday.
~Becky Mattocks~

The first time I met Dr. Tammy my first thoughts were that her name was
bigger than she was! She came into the examing room to see my ancient Shepard/Husky, Muggs, who was in pain after a fall. Muggs was blind and deaf, but as soon as Dr. Tammy sat down on the floor to meet him he put up his paw to
"shake." He didn't have to see or hear....he knew. He trusted her immediately.
She called him a "grand old gentleman." Little Dr. Tammy is pretty grand herself. A presence that will never be forgotten. Like so many of you Tammy was my hero. A couple of years ago she
worked so hard to find out what was wrong with my 2 lb yorkie. Berkeley was losing weight, wouldn't eat and just not herself. Tammy never gave up on her and she just kept fighting to find out. Berkely is so much better thanks to
Tammy. She will always be my in my heart and I am a better person for knowing her. Berkeley and Zoey will miss her but am so thankful she is finally at peace. What an amazing and incredible woman. Thank you all for all of the
stories - they have helped my family not feel alone. Thank you Margene for
making me feel closer to Tammy with every e-mail. My thoughts and prayers are
with all of you at Sweetapple and with her family. We know that Tammy is in heaven, and her battle is over. And for that
we are thankful. But, we are SO SAD that we couldn't keep her here longer, and
angry that this devastating disease took her from us all. Tammy will never be
forgotten. Our dogs loved her and we loved her. She would start talking to
them and loving on them as soon as she came in the door, and Butter and Luke
were always so happy to see her. She was so much more to us than our vet. Our
dogs have been sickly through the years, and I cant imagine how much more
difficult that would have been without Tammy.

Thank-you Margene for all youve done and are doing. We are praying for you,
David and all the people who are feeling this terrible loss.

All our love,
~Roy and Andi Senior~
 

Some where in my heart I knew today was going to be the day. She was going to hang on to watch Auburn win one more game. I am not really a college football fan but since Tammy's diagnois I have found myself rooting for Auburn. She was an amazing person with love and spirit like no one else. God Bless her
and I pray for David to find strength through their happy memories. May the
fire of her red hair and the sparkle in her eye lead us through the days ahead.
WAR EAGLE!

~In Gods Grace, Sally, Bob & Rugger Koether~

Being around Tammy was always such fun and a joy. She saw the world in all of its goodness. Although I did not have the oportunity to see her often, I always looked forward to it. A truly good and wonderful soul. Tammy, I will
miss you.

Our first visit to Sweetapple was when our Shih Tzu, Louis, was very sick and another Vet in Alpharetta was unable to help. It turns out that Louis has hypo-parathyroidism, a rare illness that is not easy to diagnose. Dr. Tammy
consulted with specialists and researched the best way to treat his condition. At times we were making trips to the clinic every single day so she could monitor his progress and give him injections. Louis was so sick he even had to
spend a few nights in the ER, and Dr Tammy would take him from Sweetapple to the
ER and then back again just so that we would not have to make an extra trip. There were many other times that she took late night calls with questions concerning his condition. Overall, it took about two months to finally get his
health stabilized and it was only then that my husband and I realized just how
sick Louis was, and that we were very lucky he survived. Dr. Tammy always led us
to believe everything was under control and we always felt at ease because she treated him as if he were her own. Eventually, Dr. Tammy was able to find the right medication and the right dosage to control his illness and today Louis is the same spunky little Shih Tzu we fell in love
with four years ago. Dr. Tammy referred to Louis as her special man which always
led us to believe that he really was her favorite. It is so incredible that she made everyone feel that way and just goes to show how special she was. At this time I can only find peace in knowing that she is in Heaven, free of all
sickness and pain, with our creator and Heavenly father. 

~Lindsay Pennel ~
 

It is Sunday night. Tammy has been in my thoughts all day. This morning she passed on to a painless place, a place of peace, and a place that must mirror the goodness she did in life. David, we are all here for you. I never met
you, but she spoke of you so lovingly. We will continue our patronage with Sweet
Apple Animal Hospital. Tammy's spirit will be there forever.
We love you all.
~Boone, Adam & Cody~

Dr. Tammy was such a wonderful person and a great vet. I met her around this time last year. My husband and I had recently moved and I was in search for a new vet. I brought my cat Squirt to Dr. Tammy and she just loved him to death.
She made us feel so welcomed and she personally wrote a letter after the first
visit to tell me how great Squirt was. I never had a vet do that and it was wonderful! When we got our new puppy Cammie last November, we brought her to see Dr. Tammy in February for her last set of shots. She loved her too! I was so upset and sad to know that she was sick and that she would not be taking care of
my animals, but I was praying she would soon be back. It is hard to know that
she won't, but God has truly gained a special angel up there in Heaven. We will
truly miss her and David and her family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Matt & Shannah Hutto
Squirt and Cammie (animals)

Tammy, we all miss you so dearly ! Thanks so much for touching all of our lives in such a special way. It is a comfort to know that our favorite Vet, who was also such an extraordinary human being is now in Heaven with our little
Angel Savannah.

Thanks for all the love that you have given to so many people and to so, so many
animals. It has been an honor to have shared in the joy of your life! Have a
truly Heavenly Birthday......you deserve it!

With Love,
Dan, Mona, Boris Huffman and Scarlet !!


My grandmother has asked each of us to donate the amount we were going to spend on
her for a gift for Christmas to our charity of choice this year and so Jeff and
I have decided on the cervical cancer charity in honor of Tammy. We both shed
tears for her and her family when we read this news - but mostly a we feel a
sense of relief that she is with God and no longer in pain. She truly made an
impact and a significant difference in each person and pets' lives that were
fortunate enough to meet her - God's angel for pets on this Earth and in Heaven!

Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you as we sincerely hope that your
memories with Dr. Tammy keep you comforted during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

The Eulers
Missy, Jeff, Ethan (Tsunami & Cara)

Dear Tammy,You will be missed dearly. Thank-you so much for keeping Max
well,he is as healthy,jolly and large as any cat could get.But he misses you
too, and so will my sister and I.All the animals and people whoever had the
pleasure to have you as a veterinarian were in very good hands.It was always
nice going to the vetenarian's office,knowing that I'd get to see your happy
face.It's sad that I won't get to see it again, and going to the vetenarian's
will never be the same.But thank-you so much again for taking care of Max and
having open-arms for us when we first came to the Sweet Animal Hospital and have
a sense of humor and be in a good mood, even when Max had some injuries.Thanks
again.

It was a joy to know a person like you.I really miss you,Max will miss
you to. You were very nice and kind.Your spirit will live on in all of us,even
chubby,old Max.I know that you're in a better place now.You were and still are
the the best vet ever,and always will be.

I will never forget Tammy's compassion for her work. She treated all the animals as if they were her very own children. John and I met Tammy through Pam after having a bad vet experience. Our little Rumor, who is no longer with us was saved by Tammy many times. She worked a miracle to give him the quality of life that we thought was over. Whenever we would bring our babies to Sweet Apple they would get so excited it is hard to control them. They loved Dr. Tammy. Rumor, a Peke loved Dr. Tammy. He would give me this look like please don't leave me but never gave her an ounce of trouble. Tammy went out of her way to take care of him. On one occasion I was caught in traffic, she took Rumor home with her so that he would not spend the night away from home until I could pick him up. We have a Shar-Pei that has many behavior problems yet she found a way, her way to calm him on each of his visits to see her. Tammy would tell me to feed Rumor Green Beans when he would not eat. He loved them! On another occasion after I shaved him from having a skin condition, she sd put a little peroxide on him and he will heal no need to have shaved him. I knew at that moment I should have called her first. We took Rumor in for a bath etc., Tammy was out of the office, he turned his back on the entire staff until I arrived. We laughed knowing that if Dr. Tammy had been there he would have responded to her. Margene and Tammy stayed in the room with me when we put him down, I will never forget their tears of love for him.

We will continue to go to Sweet Apple as all know Tammy's spirit will live forever.

~Brenda ~

AMEN......I can't stop crying at all these emails. My family has been through a lot this past year, but it seems that everyone has their own pile of stuff. None of us is alone and perhaps we should all find comfort in that.
My experiences with Dr. Tammy have all been positive and I see now how many lives she has touched. The last time I got to talk to her, I was actually surprised to see her in the office. I let her know that I was a twice Cancer survivor. We talked and ended up hugging and crying at the same time. A ten minute dog visit ended up being a forty-five minute therapy session.
We never know whose lives we touch and I bet she doesn't even realize how many she has touched. She is an amazing spirit and soul with an energy one can only admire.
Hilary Miller
(and Olivia, the Great Dane and Scarlett, the Chihuahua...and cats)

Roy and I are heartbroken as well. Tammy has been taking care of our dogs since we got them almost six years ago. We felt an immediate kinship with her. She is so much more than a vet for our two labs. We all love her. And the funny thing is, I always felt that she loved Butter and Luke because they were such great dogs. Now after reading all your e-mails, I see that Tammy loves all of our precious pets as if they were her own. It's rare to meet someone with such a sweet spirit. Words don't seem enough. We are continuing to pray for peace, comfort and strength for Tammy and David. God bless you, Tammy. Butter and Luke miss you, as do we all.

Love,

Roy and Andi Senior

Margene - I just wanted to add my thoughts about Tammy, what a wonderful person and a wonderful vet. My picture of Tammy is of her, such an elegant lady, well dressed and made up, on the floor of the surgery stroking my elderly dog while rehydrating him and kissing his head. It has been an absolute honor to know her, and my heart goes out to those closest to her.

Lynn Stewart

Margene --

I am very sad and at the same time relieved. I will never forget Tammy.

If we can measure our short time here by the impact of our deeds and
thoughts, Tammy has had a very long life. May everyone be able to claim her
good fortune.

When I last visited her, she was asleep. Our last contact was by telephone.
Knowing she was often confined in bed, I thought my call would be answered
by her mother; it was Tammy instead, fully alert and in high spirits.
Surprise and cheer were evident in my voice. "Tammy! Is that really you?!?
I had expected to find you resting," I said. With a giggle she replied:
"Yeah. Or dead."

Along with the important legacies she leaves, good humor cannot be counted
last.


Farewell, Tammy. It's going to be a little harder, a little gloomier,
without you.

Maurizio & family

I woke up this morning to find the e mail that I did not want to receive.

As sad as I am, I am also relieved for Tammy that she is no longer in any pain. My heart goes out to her husband, David as well as her family.

They know her the best so; imagine what they might be feeling at this time.

Most of us know her from the outstanding care she extended to us and our pets, our family. The special feeling that she exuded to all of us (feeling as if we and our pets were her only care in the world) was truly a unique and genuine gift that God gave her. We all crossed her path for a reason. We should all learn from her example.

Be selfless, be compassionate, be understanding, be giving, be an open ear, be patient, be kind, be forgiving, be open, be graceful, be real.

May Tammy rest in peace. She was such a beautiful soul….remember that.

In her honor,

Monique Adams

I have many pets, and have had them for many years.
Dr. Tammy was an answer to my prayers, after I got discouraged with the last
vet clinic we went to.

From the moment I met her, I felt totally at ease with her as a vet, but
most of all, she is the sweetest and kindest person I have ever met.

We are very sad about her being so sick. We think about her everyday, and
pray she will not have to suffer, and that there is still hope that she will
be healed.

God bless you & your family!
Sincerely,
Karin & Bruce Christman

Like many of you, Tammy helped my husband and I though a tough time.

We had just lost our beloved 6 month old Fallon, because of a vets carelessness. I was consumed with anger and could not get past her death. My friend Carrie encouraged me to speak to her vet and friend, Tammy.

So I picked up the phone and gave her a call. I don't know what it was about her voice, but just by saying she was sorry I felt better. She spent at least 2 hours on the phone with me reviewing Fallon's chart. And at the end of the conversation I knew that she was a special person and my new vet.

I could not believe this women, who did not know me was willing to spend all this time on the phone with me. I later found out that during our phone conversation she was actually in bed recovering from her first round of Chemo. WHAT A SAINT.

When we got our new baby Quinn I immediately took him to see, Dr. Tammy. When Tammy walked in the exam room she gave me a hug and said, How are you doing? I said, better thanks to you. We both smiled and she immediately started making over Quinn. It was as if he was her only patient.

She did the same thing a year later when we got our second baby Kiera. Kiera had a underbite which many people said should be fixed. Not Tammy, she said it give her character and I like.

Dr. Tammy is a wonderful person and I will never forget her kindness towards me, a total stranger. She is truely a special person who will always have a place in my heart.

She is in my thoughts and prayer.

I am glad that Rowena has sent out comforting information about where Tammy is. Tammy deserves the very best love and caring attention, because she sure did provide that for all of us and our animals. I wish I could hold Tammy the way she did me when we had to put to rest our dogs, Lexy and Natashia. I wish we could all fight this fight for her and with the combined effort of the masses, win! I want selfishly for God to hear all our prayers and fix Tammy immediately, but there must be a bigger plan.

My story is so long and I don't want to bore everyone with it, just know that Tammy has the kindest heart and did so much for me and our Natashia unselfishly that I can never repay her in full. I hope that Tammy's family is able to receive some comfort from all these glowing e-mails about Tammy, for that is the only reason that I write this one. In my sorrow, I fear that I am coming across as a babbling fool. I just want her and everyone who knows her how much she is respected, loved, appreciated and missed by me and my family. There will never be another Dr. Tammy Pendergrass.

All our love,

The McCorvey Family

This morning I took my Cody for his senior annual physical. I remember when Dr. Tribby owned the clinic some 10 yrs. ago when we moved to the area. My son, who is now 25, was one of the techs during his high school years. When Dr. Tribby left, there were a series of vets, sort of unsettling, until Tammy came to stay. She changed everything for us. After Cody's first visit with her, I swore I would never go to another vet again. It's difficult not to see here there, but I know that the integrity that began with the Hospital continues today and will continue in the future.

There are many pets waiting for Tammy, but I believe one truly special one there just for her.

We love you so very much, Tammy. Wish we could all take a little piece of your pain away, but that is not to be. God will take good care of you; he always has.

Thanks, Margene!

Boone, Adam & Cody Dunham

Our hearts cry out with sorrow this morning, but I know Tammy is now in a
better place. No more pain & suffering!

To us, she was close to a Saint, and God was kind enough to take her pain
away.

If you believe in God, and the suffering his son "Jesus Christ "went
through, you will agree with me in this statement:
I can't wait, until I see you again in heaven, along with all other special
people, I have ever met in my Life.
Tammy I we love and miss you already! I will never forget you!!
Love in Christ!!
Karin & Bruce Christman

A peace that passes understanding, but one day we will all know why she had to

leave us much too early.

Thank you, Margene, for keeping us all informed during this long year.

Colleen Welch

Labo and Wolfetta WAR EAGLE!!!

A beautiful red-headed baby girl was born just a few days after my twenty-first birthday. I couldn't know that I would have the pleasure of meeting her at SweetApple, where she took such wonderful care of my "babies."

Today another little girl will be born. Some of us might meet her in a few years without knowing that she is one whose life was changed by what is being done in Tammy's name to keep her free from cervical cancer.

Tammy's influence continues. Maybe that little girl will even be a veterinarian!

Jean O'Kelley

Today we’re all sad that our dear friend is no longer with us in body. However, rest assuredly that the angels in Heaven are rejoicing that a part of God’s family is in her eternal home. Today, Tammy was healed. She is no longer in pain nor suffering of any sort. May God comfort her family and each one of us who knew her.

Marsha Skiles

Margene,

Our angel on earth is now an angel in heaven, at peace and full of joy. My
youngest son, Patrick, asked me just last week if there were a heaven for
animals. I told him I wasn't sure, but if there is, the Lord has no doubt
called Tammy to serve.

Thank you for being so faithful with your e-mail updates. I know you are
hurting right now -- you have been so wonderful to Tammy. I was thinking
back to when our old Siamese cat, Coco, passed away about 3 1/2 years ago.
You were the one who called to let me know she was nearing the end and
helped me to deal with my grief. You showed such extraordinary compassion
and concern. No doubt Tammy felt she found a kindred spirit when she came
to Sweet Apple. The Lord led Tammy to Sweet Apple so she could meet you and
have you in what turned out to be the last few years of her life.

Tammy's family is probably exhausted. If you talk to them today, would you
please ask if I may bring lunch or dinner tomorrow? Let me know if they
have a time preference and how many people to prepare for. It would be my
privilege to do this for them after everything Tammy has done for our family
(both 4 legged and 2 legged) over the last several years.

Much love,

Lisa Malloy

I am very sad and at the same time relieved. I will never forget Tammy.

If we can measure our short time here by the impact of our deeds and
thoughts, Tammy has had a very long life. May everyone be able to claim her
good fortune.

When I last visited her, she was asleep. Our last contact was by telephone.
Knowing she was often confined in bed, I thought my call would be answered
by her mother; it was Tammy instead, fully alert and in high spirits.
Surprise and cheer were evident in my voice. "Tammy! Is that really you?!?
I had expected to find you resting," I said. With a giggle she replied:
"Yeah. Or dead."

Along with the important legacies she leaves, good humor cannot be counted
last.


Farewell, Tammy. It's going to be a little harder, a little gloomier,
without you.

Maurizio & family

Thank you, Margene. I appreciate all the e-mails. There are really some
wonderful people out there and I am so inspired with their love and
compassion.
I will miss Tammy and so will my Bridget, but we know that she is not
suffering and is in a better place.
So many lives have been touched by Tammy. I have learned more about her
through the messages.
God bless you all.
Bobbi

Thank you for letting us know the sad news. We spent most of today talking
about Tammy and actually it was all very happy. I think it helped ease the
sadness and the way she would want us to react. We so badly were hoping that
things would have worked out for the Saturday party --- probably selfishly
so we could see Tammy one last time. We shared so many of our stories about
our impending adoption of our son with her last year when our cat Savannah
was dying. We had hoped that she would have the opportunity to meet him. We
know she is in a better place surrounded by friends, family and all the
animals that became her family.

It was very interesting to see our new son somewhat confused by our sadness
and emotion today. He did not understand. We had been talking about Tammy
regularly for the last couple of weeks but it wasn't until today that we
took him to the web site to see her picture. He was truly amazed at how some
one so beautiful could die so young. He had so many questions about cancer
and as we spoke you could see the sadness in his eyes. I think it caused him
to reflect on his own birth mother's death when she was only in her mid
30's.

Please let us know when the memorial will be and if it will be open to so
many of her friends that would want to attend. Also, please let us know if
we can do anything for you and the rest of the staff at Sweet Apple --- you
were her family too.

Dan & Mona Huffman

Margene, I have sat by and read from day to day the love that have poured. I have often times wandered what to say. Often times left breathless. This women was a woman I knew only briefly but, took only moments to realize that she was a soul that embeaded a person that could give you 5 moments and feel that you mattered for an eternity

Rhonda Greenway

can hardly write this through the blur of tears streaming down. I don't know how many people have heard the "rainbow bridge" poem before, but it is a wonderful poem someone wrote about how when dogs die, they go to this rainbow bridge and play, but every once in a while one stops and looks up and they see their earthly loved one and they cross the rainbow bridge together. It is a poem that I always send people when they lose a pet. Just think of all the animal souls that stopped to see Tammy and as a crowd crossed that rainbow bridge together. This whole thing has hit me extremely hard. Tammy was exactly my age....I am a twice cancer survivor.....why her????
My heart too is heavy hearing this news and the only comfort I get is knowing that she is now out of pain and suffering. I never met David, but my thoughts and prayers are with him and the rest of Tammy's family in hopes that they are at peace in knowing that it isn't Tammy that died, but her physical body. Her soul and spirit lives on.
Hilary Miller

Thank you for always keeping us informed of how Tammy was doing. Even up to
your e-mail this morning letting everyone know that she had passed, I still
had hope that there was some way she would get better either by medicine or
miracle. Apparently it was not to be and there are many hearts today that
are heavy with grief at the loss of the kind, caring, good person that Tammy
was - and always will be in our memories.

I know it does no good to question why, to my mind, she had to leave far too
soon, but we will all miss her so.

Jim

It was a pleasure to have had Dr. Tammy as my four legged children's vet. I
will always remember her. I send my deepest sympathies to David. Although
I don't know him, I know he knows how special she was to all of us who were
fortunate to be in her presence. Warrrrr Eagle! Cathy Cheatwood

Anything we say now would be so inadequate. Since we know Tammy has no more pain to endure and she has finally gotten the rest she deserves, we hope the attention goes to David and the rest of her family.

The response from everyone was overwhelming. Thank you Margene for making Tammy's last days a rallying point for everyone who knew her. We think it helped us just as much as it hopefully helped Tammy and David.

Forever in our prayers,

Dick, Sandy, Rupert & Taz Nance

Tammy can now take care of our cuddly Jasper Cat again.

To All,
I know that most of you don't know me but I wanted to share a story as well.
I met Tammy at the emergency clinic where we worked together at Cherokee.
Most of the time I'd relieve her or she'd relieve me and we would share time
together in the overlap. We both LOVED horses and both LOVED what we did. We
also share a positive attitude and a love for people and their beloved pets.
Unfortunately, sometimes that is hard to find in our profession. I knew we
were looking for a new vet at our hospital so I spoke to Tammy and asked if
she might consider a new day job. She was working somewhere but seemed
unsatisfied. She said she might and would talk to David about it. Before
long, she did interview and I was so looking forward to working with her
with another bright smile and great attitude to bring more light to the
clinic. Alas, that was not to be as she went to Sweetapple, our sister
clinic, to work temporarily, so I thought and then grew to be your beloved
Tammy. I know that God had a very special plan for her and that was to bring
bright light and love to all of you and Sweetapple Animal Hospital, which
needed it so bad. I did not get to enjoy working with her as I had hoped and
for that I am sorry. We did meet for lunch occasionally and we did work
together for the emergency clinic until I stopped and she continued. We were
colleagues in every sense of the word but after a short while, she settled
in Sweetapple and did her thing! She loved all of you so much and shared
with me that this was her "home". You made a difference in her life, too. I
am a DAWG fan and we always had such a great time razzing each other about
War Eagles and Dawgs rivalries and I even conceded to her the year Auburn
was robbed of being #1 in the nation which they deserved! I will miss
Tammy's spirit and presence she had and that we shared. I know that she is
with the Lord and that her beloved patients that preceded her are now with
her once again. She will never be lonely with so many she helped.

In His love
Dianne Dawkins, DVM
Mountain Park Plaza Animal Hospital

The following letter was received at SweetApple shortly before Tammy’s passing. I wanted to include it with the other tributes.

Dr. Pendergrass-I know that you have probably come in contact with so many people that it’s probably hard for you to remember them all, so I hope this helps to jog your memory…My name is Chassidy Turner and you helped me and my family to be able to let our dog Coddie be able to take his final nap after we were fortunate enough to have him for 15 years.

I just wanted to take the time out to tell you that you are a special and remarkable person! I think that it takes a very special person to do the type of work that you do. I never would have thought that someone I only met once would have such a lasting impression on me, and for that I am forever grateful.

I was very eager to write you this letter once I was informed about your health. I feel like we are always so quick to criticize people within our society, but way too slow to complement until sometime later as an afterthought and I wanted to make sure that this was not the case here.

I’m not quite sure of your spiritual/religious background or beliefs, so please pardon me while I share my perspective with you. I believe that all things have been laid out according to a perfect plan. I believe that bad God does not make any mistakes. We all have a purpose to serve whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, but I can see though your compassionate heart and kind words that you have acknowledged your purpose here. You have been put in a position to touch so many people, to be the guardian angel to help people through some very tough situations. I can only believe that when your work here is done and it is time for you to be rewarded for being so obedient and diligent you will be welcomed with the open arms of all of the souls that you were able to touch and help, some with 2 legs and some with 4, but they will all be there to welcome you and to thank you.

I feel fortunate that our paths were able to cross. Your gentle, comforting voice and your warm and big heart have inspired me in so many ways, and for that I just wanted to tell you thank you. You will forever be admired and respected by my family as a doctor with great compassion, a person with a big heart, and a friend who helped to navigate many down a very special path.

Thanks for everything,

Chassidy Turner and family Charlotte, NC