We lost our dog, Molly, on New Year's Eve day. If you have never loved a dog, then the loss might seem rather insignificant to you, and that's OK.
But when you've had a dog for thirteen years, and she has inserted herself into your heart and made herself right at home there, then the loss is significant.
When I would take a nap on the sofa, Molly would join me. If my toes felt a bit chilly, she somehow knew to place her warm paws over and around my toes to warm them up.
If Ken felt like taking a quick nap on the floor instead of in his recliner, Molly felt like taking a nap beside him. (So, too, apparently, did Pink Piggy)
Here's Molly after what must have been a wild night on the town.
Violet tried to sketch Molly one time. All was going well until Molly grew tired of being an artist's model: she simply got up and walked away, leaving Violet in dismay.
Every Maine snowstorm requires shoveling off the deck. Ken and Molly attended to the task promptly.
In the evenings, as we watched t.v., Molly's favorite spot was at Ken's feet.
Molly and Violet were pals.
I couldn't have asked for a more patient knitting assistant.
Time to replace the screen door with the storm door? Molly liked to help.
Here she is again assisting with my knitting. She's holding down the directions for me.
She's probably getting ready to beg for a biscuit here. She did love her biscuits and liked to be rewarded for the simplest accomplishment.
She and I are napping again.
Molly was diagnosed with lymphoma on December 24. I assumed we'd have her with us for several more weeks.
I was wrong. She went down hill fast, and we had to make the decision to euthanize her on December 31.
So that was our girl Molly. I still find myself looking for her when I walk into the living room. In the night, I still think I hear her dog tags jingling on her collar.
I suppose it'll take time to get used to having Molly gone.
Oh no, I am so sorry. I've never gotten over our little dog's death a little over a year ago. I desperately want another one but I have to think about issues that were never a concern before. Will we outlive the dog? What happens if the dog outlives us? What happens if we need to move to assisted living at some point in time? What happens if we're no longer able to walk a dog? This is the time in our lives we finally have time to devote to a dog, the time when we would benefit from the company of a pet. No pet hair is nice, it makes housecleaning easier. Our children have discouraged us from getting another dog. I can't get excited about an 'inside only' cat barfing up hair balls and using a litter box. I'm so desperate I'm considering a parakeet. I'll be interested to see if you decide to get another dog.
ReplyDeleteYou make so many excellent points here, Linda, both pro and con. I'll be interested to see if we get another dog, too. It sure has seemed lonely around here this past week. Maybe a parakeet IS the answer!
DeleteI love the questions you ask here, Linda. They've rattled around in my head the past week. I'll be interested to see if we get another dog, too. I loved Molly's companionship, her love of us, our opportunity to love her, her getting us outdoors every day, but there were a few minuses. The biggest minus for me was always worrying about her when we traveled. She always forgave us once we came home.
ReplyDeleteThere is always, always, always, another creature who will flourish with the kind of care and love you have given to Molly. I mourn the loss of a pet, but will always (I guess I never learn) take in another dog or cat. 2 dogs and 8 cats later, I question my sanity. But I do love them all! I apologize for commenting, but I am always moved so much by people who feel the loss of a pet - as we all have been. Best to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hour comments, Lorna. They're comforting. You have quite a menagerie!
DeleteOh, I am so very sorry. Molly was a very good girl and wonderful companion for you. It is so very hard to lose our dear pets. I am partial to dogs. I can just the imagine the great big hole in your hearts and in your lives that Molly left. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sally. I hope you have your dear Boston for many more years.
DeleteAw, so sad. What a lovely dog she was. Rest in peace, Molly, and may comfort come to your faithful keepers.
ReplyDeleteI cry each time I read your comment, Linda. Thank you.
Deletesorry for your loss...but how kind of you to end her suffering. I do believe that our animals spirits live on and one day we'll be reunited...
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right, Lin.
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