Sad Times

I've debated about posting this issue, but decided that I would do it. What issue am I talking about? The issue of which I speak is the death of our old dog, Missy. Our beloved pet of 15 years went to doggy heaven one week ago today. For those of you who are not pet lovers, this seems very silly...but to those of you who are.........you know exactly how I feel. This was not some "high breed" dog, but one that was a mixture of chihuahua and fiest and who knows what else. She came to live with us when my kids were little. She was easily the kindest, sweetest dog.........ever!! She wasn't a barker ( until old dog aged senility took over)......she endured being dressed up like a baby doll and strapped in a doll umbrella stroller and being carried around by a rambunctious seven year old without even so much as a whine. She loved us, and we loved her. Before her old age took her hearing, a mere whisper of "let's go ride in the truck" would set her in a tail spin. The only thing she liked better than going for a ride was sitting with her "Daddy" at night and snacking while they watched t.v. This dog could hear you unwrapping a piece of cheese from anywhere in our house. She was the first indoor pet I've ever had and she just ingrained herself as a member of our family. She was never quiet herself if one of us was not in the nest at night. She would frequently wander around and sit posed looking at the door waiting for the "wayward" family member to return.....and might I say that she was always excited to see us....whether we had been gone all day or had just gone to the mailbox and back. I once heard a comedian talk about the fact that dogs have no sense of time, and she proved this to be true time and again. In the last couple of years, she hasn't been herself. Her hearing was gone, her vision clouded by cataracts.....she appeared to be lost much of the last few months. Arthritis had played ugly tricks on this once active and playful dog, rendering her unable to navigate across the room at times. She seemed to lose all her joy the last few weeks......I never saw that tail wag anymore. She seemed to be in pain much of the time and would even pull back from our handling her at times. As hard as it was, we had to make the decision to have her put to sleep. I kept praying that I would just come home and she would have just gone to sleep, but that didn't happen. So.....last Thursday, I took her to the vet and he took care of her. We brought her home and buried in the back yard under the pear tree. Not a day has gone by that I haven't looked for her as I walk in my house. I would have never believed that I could become so attached to a little critter...........but I did....and I have already done it again......TWICE!!!! Several months ago, in anticipation of what I knew was inevitable with Missy, we brought a new puppy in..........a teeny, tiny little chihuahua that we named "Trixie." About a month after we brought her home, baby girl moved back home with her little fiest mix dog "Effie." Needless to say, it is like "Dog" central station around here all of the time. But it is fun.....so fun! As I was mourning the loss of the "old" dog, I was chastising myself about the stupidity of letting myself get attached like this again..........but honestly, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Pets just love us unconditionally....they love us when we aren't lovable. I've heard and read that people who have pets live longer and happier lives...........I hope that's true.....but regardless of this, I'm glad I've got my four legged babies. They sure make my life interesting!!
Hope you have a great...long and safe Memorial Day weekend!!