Support DeElva in Polly's Cremation

Hello. My name is DeElva Harrill. I am 76 years old, writing to you today from Sunland Ca. It is with tremendous sadness that I must share the quiet passing of “Polly;” the last of the pack -(the Xmas photo reflects those that passed before her). Polly lived for 14 years. The only medical problem she had was old age - and this we shared every day.

Polly was a Mini Australian Fox-Terrier with a Beagle linage on her mother’s line. The quiescent lap dog. She adored the occasional squeaky toy however her favorite pass-time was following me about the house and staying with me in my office for the hours I would labor over tax files. My strength on rough days.

The thing is, her last Vet checkup showed me the truth of peripheral smoke inhalation damage that the recent LA fires produced. Polly is a small dog and the swirling dust, and constant bad air due to the fires raging near us, forced her breathing to become challenged. The Vet allowed the use of Benadryl for babies, when her breathing was very bad. From January 7, 2025 until this am, June 17, 2025, when she passed in her sleep beneath my arm, the breathing had improved though it was replaced at times recently with shallow panting - made worse by the heat outside. Her outdoor times were monitored. Polly was such a good companion - I have been going through Leukemia and many times, I would sit outside late at night in the glider chair, and Polly would simply rest on my lap. Stroke by stroke I came to believe I would get better. And I am getting better. My greatest day with Polly was the day she discovered her new doggy bed and blanket plus a circulating fan just for her. She sleeps in the bed, right next to me. That day she literally buried every morsel on her plate into the new bed and blanket. Polly was that kind of girl. Even as she lays beside me now - gone - as I wait for dawn to come so I can take her for Cremation, I am broken. People will say that she lived a long life yada yada but for me, our life together was more than the length of years - it was the diamonds Polly gave me every time she smiled, ate a meal I cooked, watched a movie with me, and played with me in crazy ways.

I am writing this funding request because I do not have the funds for the Pet Cremation. I am told the cost can range from $350 to $600. I do not want her mixed with other’s pet remains. I’d like to bring her home.

If you can see your way clear to help, I would be humbled by your kindness. Thank you for reading my, our, story.

Sincerely,

DeElva Harrill