She was the best of dogs. Sure, she ate a wall once. Oh, and there was the time the First Reader was convinced she’d die after chewing through an industrial power cord. And that time (more than once!) where she went after a groundhog and came prancing back, tail high, with her victim in her jaws.
But she was intensely loyal to her chosen human, while still allowing him to expand his family to the rest of us. She loved me, and the kids, too. She just loved him more.
He said, this morning, as he asked her to get up and come on the final car ride, that we don’t deserve to be looked at like gods by dogs. They are too good for us.
They really are. They give us humbling lessons in unconditional love and devotion. They have faith that we will take care of them.
In her final days, she kept looking at me, with that clear plea in her eyes of ‘I’m hurting, please take it away.’ She really thought we could make it all better, just like when it was raining and she’d look up, asking plain as day for us to open the other door, the one that leads into summer forever.
We didn’t want to, but it was time.
And now, there’s another dog-shaped hole in my heart. Along ones named Murphy, Happy Jack, and Beowulf.
They never really leave us, do they?
Comments
21 responses to “A Dog-Shaped Hole”
Way too many dog&cat-shaped holes in my life, too. Condolences… 🙁
It’s been a couple of months since I had to put down my Beagle Lilly and I still “think” that I’m seeing her out of the corner of my eye. 🙁
Furry family aid always loved and never forgotten. *big hugs* to alla youse guys.
I’m so sorry! Maybe after a while, you’ll find a new dog to fill the hole?
Not again
Oh, Cedar, I’m so sorry. No, they never do leave us.
Condolences from me and Coco and the ones that have gone on before.
I believe that when I depart this plane of existence, there’s a place where I will be mugged by wave upon wave of cats, dogs, horses, and parakeets. I believe Tricksy will be waiting there for her people, too. Until then, may happy memories bring comfort.
I’m so very sorry. She was a great puppy. Always so happy to have new friends. I loved that she greeted us every time we walked into your house. She will be greatly missed.
The outside of a dog is good for the inside of a person.
I am so sorry to hear this.
We had to put our beloved SiamIam down this past Monday.
It was time, and even just a little past time, trying to be *sure* that he wouldn’t have one last rally.
It was the right thing to do, as yours was the right thing to do.
That it was a needful thing doesn’t make your heart hurt any less – so hold tight to those happy memories, and keep them with you.
“The only flaw, at all, with our four footed companions is that they simply do not live long enough.”
We have this on a plaque:
It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will as generous and loving as they are. – Anonymous
It hurts to lose a pet, and there’s nothing that can truly remove that hurt. Times diminishes the pain, but it never really goes away.
I offer my sympathies for you and your family.
Ah, I’ve been there far too many times myself. There’s no way to take away that pain that would not also diminish the brightest of her star in your family’s constellation.
I’m sorry.
So sorry… Know she and the others are waiting at the Rainbow bridge.
I’m so sorry. They may not be human, but they’re members of the family anyway, and it hurts to lose one. Knowing when it’s time is one of the hardest things we have to know. My condolences to you and your family.
So sorry to hear this… my condolences
I’m very sorry to hear this. We don’t deserve dogs. I wouldn’t still be here were it not for Butters, my big knucklehead. She’s saved me more than once.
I agree dogs are too good for us, and they teach unconditional love. She looks like a great dog. My condolences.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Like many others who have already posted, it is pain I know all too well. My condolences to you and your family.
I cried. But I know my beloved dogs are waiting patiently for me and my wife is keeping them company meanwhile.