“My mother, grandmother and great grandmother helped raise me.

When my grandmother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, I knew exactly how I want to preserve her life, I wanted a DNA2Diamond made.

Before my grandmother died, I talked to her about what I wanted and she promised that I could have some of her ashes.

Unfortunately my great grandmother died three months after my grandmother, but I was able to get a lock of her hair to combine it with my Mom’s hair, my hair and my daughter’s hair to make my diamond.

But, before I could get around to having it made, in November of 2009, my Mom died very suddenly. So, now is the time.

This is the best way that I could ever imagine to pay tribute to these women who raised me.

These are the women that made me who I am and I couldn’t be more proud of them for doing what they did.

This is a legacy that will last forever.

Thank you DNA2Diamonds!”

~D. Dawn Stein

Sarah Jane Ottilie, 1979 – 2009

Sarah Jane Ottilie passed away on November 5th, 2009.

It was a shock and loss to all who knew her.  Sarah was young, vibrant and to say she will be missed does not adequately describe her impact.

To her colleagues, Sarah was a nurturer, an inspirer, an indefatigable pursuer and protector of excellence.  To her friends and family, Sarah was unfailingly loyal, generous, thoughtful, and loving.  But it was not only the lives of co-workers, friends and family that Sarah touched.

Sarah’s greatest joy in life was to help others.  Her kindness and generosity extended to soldiers in Iraq, to whom she sent care packages; to the numerous stray animals she rescued; and to the many children she helped through charities, such as Project Morry, The Starlight Foundation, and others.  Sarah lives on in these efforts.

Sarah’s mother chose to remember her with a DNA2Diamond.  Here’s what she had to say about Sarah and “Sarah’s Diamond”:

“Truly, for me there was little choice in how to remember Sarah. She was a magically bright, shiny, beautifully singular creation.  So is her diamond. Though she is with me in my heart, I will have this with me to spur the memories, and I will smile.

I would like to thank the team at DNA2Diamonds for making the creation of “Sarah’s Diamond” a comfortable, personal journey.  Friendly, thoughtful professionals, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.  Anyone considering creating a “special diamond” for any occasion will be greatly pleased with the caring service and amazing gem the DNA2Diamonds Team provides!”

“Ariel crossed over to Rainbow Bridge yesterday around noon.

Our journey into the Rat Terrier world really began with Ariel, my first foundation dog and wonderful ambassador to the breed. She went on to produce nice dogs that also produced nice dogs, hence adding to the foundation of our wonderful breed.

More important than that, she was our (my son Jim and I) best friend and a great ambassador for the numerous pet expos, play days, fun matches, and parades she attended and participated in.

“Tiger had always been my “prissy” dog – he didn’t like to get his paws wet or go out in the rain. So much so that when he was a puppy, I would have to hold the umbrella over his head, just so he’d go out before I left for work. Yes, he was spoiled, but he was my baby and I loved him.He enjoyed playing with tennis balls, especially in the pool. Although he was a golden retriever, he actually was more of a golden keeper. You’d throw the ball, and only occasionally, when he felt like it, would he return it. Even then, it usually would have been stripped of the green material and covered in slobber.

Tiger would sleep on my feet at night and keep them warm – even on 90-degree summer nights! If I sat on the couch to read or watch television, he would snuggle up right next to me and put his head on my lap and soon be fast asleep. On trips to North Carolina to our cabin, he’d run through the woods and go on long walks with me. No matter what I did, Tiger was always there right by my side.

He earned the nickname “Lumpy” sometime over the years because of all the growths he developed. Tests always revealed they were fatty tumors and were nothing to worry about. The vet had assured me that unless they grew large enough to hamper his movement – or his internal organs – he was fine. Little did I know back then that one day, they would do just that.

When I took Tiger in to the vet with a new larger growth, he was moving around only when necessary and I knew something was really wrong. I just didn’t want to know. His prognosis was not good. The tumors were pushing his throat closed, his stomach shut and his arthritis had worsened. The vet had offered some suggestions on making him more comfortable and things we could do for him so that we could take him home. I knew deep down that the vet was saying, “Tiger’s suffering.” I also knew I owed it to Tiger to help him. So, that afternoon I sat on the floor of the vets office with Tiger’s head in my lap. As the vet injected him, Ti looked up at me one last time with those big brown eyes as if to say, “it’s ok” and then he was gone.

I had Ti cremated and his ashes have been right next to me since then, just as he was in life. But now, after hearing about DNA2Diamonds, I want Tiger to become something more than just a paw-printed metal container on a shelf in my house. I want to see the twinkle of his brown eyes again in a diamond that is part of him. I want him to go on walks with me again and be praised on his beauty, only this time as a pendant on a chain, instead of a dog, on a leash. Thank you for putting the sparkle back into Tiger’s memory for me.”