It's been a little over a month since we said goodbye to Baxter, our boy and one half of the Two Pooch namesake. And it has been the hardest month of my life. It sounds silly to say it out loud, he's a dog. But if you've ever had a dog like Baxter I think you might get where I'm coming from.
It was quick, which I'm still not sure if that was good or bad. One day he wasn't himself, so we went for a checkup. A day later they confirmed that it was stage 5 lymphoma and another day later we made the extremely difficult decision to put him down. That's it, 3 days. He went from his usual-eating everything in sight-wrestling with Molly-greeting every neighbor that walked by-always happy self to that in just 3 days.
Today would have been his 11th birthday. I really believed he was going to be the dog that lived to 13 or 14 but I'm so thankful for the 11 years I got to have him by my side. And even more thankful that I had the opportunity to work from home these past few years. Every morning he did his biscuit dance and every afternoon he stared at me for an hour until dinner was served. The dogs went with me to the post office, the bank, to pick up supplies for the shop and always for a nice long walk to finish off the day. He was there the day I met my husband and the day we got engaged. He was always there, waiting at the gate or just inside the door every time we came home. He had a huge personality and was probably too smart for his own good. I'm going to miss my boy something awful.
Awww, Kellie, I am tearing up reading this. I am so sorry for your loss, I know how much you loved Baxter. He was a good dog and faithful companion, he lived a wonderful life and obviously added so much to your life. Words don't help, but we are thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue. He sure was and he sure did!
DeleteSo sorry Kellie. I am tearing up too. It's been a little over 3 months since we lost Piper and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. We had 3 days too...For anyone who has been there they understand. You're "he's a dog" comment reminded me of this. Whoever wrote it captured this well.
ReplyDeleteFrom time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for " just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile....because they "just don't understand."
- Anonymous
Thanks, Cindy. How true!
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