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I've been meaning to check in more often after Nova's passing in late March, but it's been chaotic here. Right after Nova passed I threw myself into Therapy Dog activities with one of my other Danes, Darla. I probably overdid it at first, but it was hard to be around the house for too long without missing Nova. So I guess the way I chose to cope with it was to spend as much time as I could outside of work doing Therapy Dog visits and rescue transports for Great Dane Rescue here in Michigan.
Shortly after I lost Nova, I learned of a wonderful Great Dane sculptor in southern California, and decided to commission a memorial sculpture of the Queen. It was nearly 2 months in the making, but totally worth the wait. I chose to have her sculpted as a blind Tripawd. I know that many of us believe that once our dogs cross the Rainbow Bridge they are restored to perfect health, but Nova was a blind Tripawd for almost HALF of her entire life. It was WHO she was, and it was WHY she was so special. I also decided to add a crown, to commemorate her standing as "Queen Nova of Tripawds", 4+ year bone cancer survivor and cancer butt kicker. I asked the sculptor to add a set of wings, because of course she is now a "Dane-gel"
Well here are a few pictures of the sculpture. It turned out better than I ever imagined it could. It will be such an incredible treasure.
Dane Mom Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
That is so beautiful. She did a wonderful job with that. What a great memorial to the Queen.
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Wowwwweee! That is a TREASURE. Who is the artist Sue? Feel free to share her URL here, I'd love to know where to get a beautiful keepsake like this.
Please don't feel badly about not posting here. You are out there in the world, spreading Nova's message of overcoming adversity and love, and continuing to share her spirit with others. That is so beautiful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Ohhhh Sue, I can't stop the "goose bumps/chill bumps":-) 
I love that it shows so much joy....it shows her happiness:-) the artist really got who she is!!
Her memorial is BEAUTIFUL and so touching:-) I love that you. made sure it captured WHO she is and WHY she is!!! And Queen Nova IS:-)
She IS a beacon of hope:-)
She IS. Strong and resilient and determined:-)
She IS love
She IS a spirit that IS eternal and will continue to inspire all:-)
She IS Sue's heart and soul and nothing can ever break a bond like that:-)
Thank you for sharing such a lovely tribute............it is a masterpiece and so is Queen Nova:-)
It's just so beautiful and I still have the bumpy bumps:-)
Lots of love to you, Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I echo Rene's suggestion, post info about the artist! They really, really did such a wonderful job capturing Queen Nova it must be so great to have that! I'm so glad you posted photos of the sculpture, I want to get one for myself someday (after the time comes to say goodbye to Chloe).
Queen Nova sure left an unforgettable legacy and that statue is a tribute to her's for sure!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
That is breathtaking - it brought tears to my eyes. What a perfect tribute to Nova!
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
That is awesome Sue- a fitting tribute...long live the Queen!
I too remember Maggie as a gray faced Tri-pug,she was on three for more than a third of her life.
Karen
Truly gorgeous! I'm a little teary seeing this. It's just so special. A treasure. May it give you tons of love, support, and motivation through the rest of your life.
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
As soon as I scrolled to the statue my eyes welled. So special and beautiful. May it give you comfort.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
What an absolutely, fabulous, beautiful statue of Nova.. I can't even express what joy it would bring to your heart to have that keepsake... what a great idea!! The artist did an awesome job.. I just love it.. I have a smile ear to ear.. and goosebumps because I know they joy and comfort it gives you having it with you!
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Dane Mom Sue, I'm new to Tripawds, about 2 weeks post amp, but I wanted to thank you and the beautiful Queen Nova for being here and being who you are. I too am a Dane mom and share in the knowledge of what special angels they are. And when faced with this horrible diagnosis, it was your Queen that helped me through my anger, denial and grief and make that tough decision that many said a Dane could not survive, especially one already facing some health issues. Atlas is 7 years young and recovering well and we are praying that we can follow the Queens footsteps and show the courage and grace that you have shown. Just thought you should know what an inspiration you and Nova have been for me and Atlas as I see you have been to so many others.
God speed Queen Nova and thanks again Dane Mom Sue for leading the way!
Patricia & Atlas
Sorry, forgot, love the sculpture! There you go leading the way again! That artist is going to get more commissions than she can handle. 
I couldn't even reply when I saw the sculpture the other day because it made me cry. What a beautiful tribute. 
One thing I forgot to add is that inside the sculpture is a "heart" filled with some of Nova's hair and ashes. Just another special extra this wonderful artist offers, at no extra charge.
The sculptor's name is Rachel Cawley. She is known in the Dane world for her adorable cartoony-type drawings of Danes. I had no idea she took commissions for sculptures until a Dane friend of mine mentioned it right after I lost Nova. It couldn't have come at a better time. I knew that was the perfect way to pay tribute to the Queen.
Here is a link to Rachel's rates (it's on her Dane site, Sixstar Danes.). It took her about 1-2 months to complete Nova's sculpture... she works on a few commissions at a time. My understanding is that, although she is a Great Dane artist, she is willing and able to sculpt other breeds upon request. Considering it is a custom sculpture, I feel that the prices are very reasonable. Nova's sculpture was a 7" sculpture and her wings, crown and the base were an additional charge.
http://www.6sta.....rates.html
I will also add that Nova was Rachel's first "amputee" sculpture 
Dane Mom Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Thanks for sharing Rachel's name and website. She really needs to play up her artwork, what talent she has! And her prices are incredibly reasonable, I agree.
What an heirloom to have. So beautiful!
P.S. Happy Belated Birthday Sue! I hope you had a beautiful day and a great year ahead. Thanks for doing all you do to make a difference in this world.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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