Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend
your aunt’s antique Persian rug) to the dog who ran away, we at the Stiletto
Gang put our collective heads together and thought: what could be better than
walking down memory lane with thoughts of some of our favorite–and
not-so-favorite–pets? Join us for the next two weeks as we reminisce about the
animals we loved and those who loved us.
By Evelyn David
Let me tell you a little about Snickers, the Irish terrier who
made us dog owners. She was from a line of champions. That didn’t matter to us. We had, however, deliberately chosen the breed because they were
hypoallergenic. Put my husband around most dogs and his eyes swell
shut and he develops a throbbing headache. So it’s reasonable to ask, why did
we get a dog in the first place? Our second son, then six, was deathly afraid of all
animals, but especially dogs. We thought having a puppy would help him overcome
his fear. (It worked.)
Neither my husband nor I had ever owned a dog before so our
expectations were primarily based on watching years of Lassie episodes. I
thought Snickers would follow me from room to room, come when called, rescue me
if I fell down a well. Instead, we got a dog who clearly considered us her
intellectual inferiors. Don’t get me wrong. She was a sweet animal who, when I
had a baby a few years later, was as gentle as a lamb around this new interloper
who pulled ears and tail. She never so much as growled at us no matter what the
provocataion, but there was always a certain distance, a sense of independence.
She was the first to dash out any open door. We would chase after her and she
would race ahead, stopping occasionally to look back to see if we were
following. Once when we couldn’t find her, having scoured the neighborhood
calling her name, offering treats, we returned to find her sitting on our front
porch, with a look of disdain that we hadn’t been able to keep up with
her. We incorporated a similar scene in our mystery ZONED FOR MURDER.
I realize just how independent Snickers was, now that we
have Clio, another Irish terrier. Clio too is sweet, but to be honest not too
bright. At 40 pounds Clio believes she is a lap dog. She is happiest when
stretched across one of us, with her belly being scratched. Snickers just
wasn’t that kind of dog.
morning, Snickers had a stroke before my eyes. She lost control of her legs and
bladder. I rushed her to the animal hospital and Dr. Thorndike gently told me
that the time had come for us to be loving pet owners. He predicted that
Snickers would have more strokes over the next few days and be increasingly in
pain. We couldn’t let that happen. We made arrangements to have her put to
sleep the next day, after the kids said their goodbyes. It was a long and emotional
night, but Snickers seemed comfortable and had regained limited use of her
legs. She ate very little, slept nearly round the clock.
her, fiercely protective of her family. So she was that last morning. My husband
took off time from work to go with me to the vets. I carried Snickers out to
the driveway and put her down to open the car. She stretched out on the
concrete for a moment until a sanitation man came to the back of the house to
get our trashcans. I watched as Snickers drew herself up, on shaky legs, and
then barked with a clear message, “This is my family. I’ll protect
them.”
lifted her into the car and she settled back down to sleep.
character of Snickers taught me a lot about parenting. She loved without
question, if on her own terms. She was the fierce defender of this family and
asked nothing more than kindness, food, and shelter in return. We got so much
more.
Dogs, like people, come in all shapes, sizes, and
temperaments. But what they give to their families is the unconditional love
that each of us needs. How lucky we were to have Snickers in our life.
Thanks
old friend.
Brianna Sullivan Mysteries – e-book series
I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah- Kindle (Exclusive at Amazon this month)
The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Undying Love in Lottawatah- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
A Haunting in Lottawatah – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Lottawatah Twister – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Missing in Lottawatah – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Good Grief in Lottawatah – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
The Ghosts of Lottawatah – trade paperback collection of the Brianna e-books
Book 1 – I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries (includes the first four Brianna e-books)
Book 2 – A Haunting in Lottawatah (includes the 5th, 6th, and 7th Brianna e-books)
Sullivan Investigations Mystery
Murder Off the Books Kindle – Nook – Smashwords – Trade Paperback
Murder Takes the Cake Kindle – Nook – Smashwords – Trade Paperback
Riley Come Home (short story)- Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Moonlighting at the Mall (short story) – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
Romances
Love Lessons – Kindle – Nook – Smashwords
What a wonderful tribute to Snickers. She sounds like a true Irishwoman: loyal, fierce, and protective. Maggie
Snickers final act of protectiveness when the trash guys came around, got me teary-eyed.
How blessed we are to have such special friends.
Oh, this is definitely a tear jerker. Nothing so hard as saying goodbye to a well-loved pet. We've done it many times over the years. Good post.
What a wonderful story. And what a terrific vet, compassionate and wise. We have several stories that end with 'when we got home, the dog was on the porch looking down at us!'
Thanks Maggie, Laura, and Marilyn. Snickers really was a special dog. I'm also really grateful that she helped our son overcome his phobia.
Thanks Gail, you're absolutely right. Dr. Thorndike was an exceptionally kind (and smart) vet — who helped families get through painful times. Gentle, thorough, and smart with both animals and their families.
I was in a happy mood until I read this. Definitely a tear-jerker. Loving an animal is special, but it hurts when they're gone.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
So sorry for your loss. Snickers sounds like an amazing dog. The rainbow bridge poem is one that has brought me comfort at times like these in the past so I thought I'd share it here.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
So sorry Morgan. I didn't mean to make anyone sad.
How about a toast of dog treats to all the special animals in our lives!
Marian
Thank you Anjali.
That poem is a comfort to all animal lovers.
Marian
Animals are so special. I still hold mine in my heart. Snickers was, indeed, special.
Thanks Lil. I hope the sweet memories you have give you comfort. I still laugh when I think of some of Snickers' antics — and patience with us!
Marian