Sort of a strange post, but it seems fitting since I am sitting here missing my dog Cookie. She died Monday evening at almost 16 years old. Really, she was Olivia's dog, sweet, loyal, neurotic. She was mortally afraid of thunderstorms and would dig her way out of the backyard to escape. We were building a relationship with the people at the pound because she'd been picked up so many times - too old and senile to figure out how to get back to her own house once she had escaped.
The house seems empty without her energy, happy little wagging tail when we came in at night - or when she was ready to eat in the morning. Even though she had slowed down quite a lot over the last year or so, she still came out to see us when we came home. And there she was, waiting by the door like ususal, just not breathing.
All of life ends, some times tragically, sometimes not. But it always ends in death. May I be found waiting faithfully for my loved ones to come home.
33 comments:
"All of life ends, some times tragically, sometimes not. But it always ends in death. May I be found waiting faithfully for my loved ones to come home."
Deb and I just read your post and saw the picture of your cute dog. Many memories, happy ones with Cookie, I'm sure. And sorry for your(plural) loss.
I like your last paragraph. Makes one think. Sin separarates us from God, our true God-given selves made in his image, and others. To be loving and true to the end, to God and to each other is so important. Our lives should be about relationships beginning with our relationship to God in Christ.
yes- dogs are beautiful creatures..
Our Fox terrier does the same- digs his way out.. we gave up and let him in during thunderstorms.
We can learn a lot from dogs about unswerving friendships :o)
You're so right Simon - she was true to the end! She wasn't the smartest dog I've ever had, but she was definitely the most tolerant and sweetest. When my niece was little, she tolerated being dressed up and carried around like a baby - and still didn't run away and hide when she saw the toddler coming to begin another fashion show.
I'm glad you have the option to just let your terrier in. Cookie always was a house dog - with a little doggie door to let herself out into the fenced back yard - so she was actually leaving the safety of the house going out into the pouring rain and then digging her way out of the yard. Seems she somehow thought if she got away from the house, she would be safer!
Ph Susan, so sorry to hear about Cookie. Dogs are so loyal aren't they!
My Meg died four years ago, in my arms. She was almost 17. We buried her under a sycamore tree in the garden. The following year Peter burried one of our cats next to her. It was only later when I had stopped crying about my cat that I remembered how much
Mushroom and Meg hated each other, and now they are lying together for all eternity!
It took me two years to get another dog, my wicked Badger.
Love and hugs,
Lorenzo.
I keep coming back to look at the photo of Cookie. She is so pretty.
What breed is she?
Lorenzo. xx
She was the runt of the litter, a Shi Tzu - around 10 pounds. She was named Cookie after the Oreo cookie because that band of grey on her shoulders was black and went all the way around her middle and her face and neck were black - but you can't tell because she has gone all grey that she was ever just black and white.
In an ironic turn of events, the lab came in handy. She is tucked tenderly away in a curled up sleeping position in one of the lab freezers until the spring thaw so we can bury her in the back yard too. We are thinking of a flowering shrub or tree to put beside her.
A flowering tree or shrub would be lovely. We have daffodils and snowdrops over Meg and Mushroom. It's in the woody bit of the garden and doesn't get a lot of sunlight, so we thought bulbs would be best.
Lorenzo.
Oh, Susan. I'm so sorry. Really.
those last words are quite poignant... so sorry about your dog. so amazing how much they integrate themselves into our lives.
poor old cookie
lorenzo- My old cattle dog died in my arms... I still feel upset when I think of him
I am so sorry about your dog. I know how it feels since February 9th marked the 2nd anniversary of putting one of my dogs down. I know the hurt. May the Lord comfort you.
Bless you, Susan.
I think I would have much preferred it if she had died in my arms with me petting her head, but...
thank you all for your comfort. we keep doing things we've always done only to realize halfway through the motion that things are just not the way they have been; she's not under my feet waiting to be fed or petted.
Sorry to hear about your dog.
Although it is so painful to have your dog die in your arms, it is also wonderful as well. The last thing they know is the smell of your hands and the feel of the strokes.
Just back from Spain to read about your sad loss. Any chance of finding a replacement?
The first time I looked at this, the picture did not load. But now I can see it and the marks behind its eyes make it look a bit like a raccoon!
We always thought she rather resembled an Ewok - or an animated stuffed dog.
It's funny, isn't it? How they greet people at the door. They might want to tear one person apart, but when the master comes home, the tail goes-a-wagging! When my daughter's dog sees me come home and wags her tail, it looks like she might break her spine from wagging so hard.
Sorry for your loss, Susan.
"Really, she was Olivia's dog, sweet, loyal, neurotic." Are you saying that she simply belonged to Olivia, or took after her? (Just kidding!)
I got your message on Monday night, and I'm still thinking and praying . . . darn it.
Oh sweet and loyal yes, that daughter of mine, but whatever faults she may have, neurotic is not one of them!
Do pets get into heaven with their masters do you suppose?
I really don't know - but there were animals in the Garden of Eden. It was a perfect place and without sin (at least for a while) and so will heaven be, perfect and without sin, tears or pain - so I would guess there will be animals there too.
>there were animals in the Garden of Eden
Ah yes, of course, that bloomin' talking snake! LOL!
I was going to make a funny kiss kiss valentines day joke after receiving your comment but after reading your blog about your sad loss I have not git the heart.
Bob who leaves comments on my post lost his old dog a couple of weeks ago too and he has been really upset about it.
When we lost our old dog who was 14 I cried like a big baby (do not tell the chicks this or it will ruin my street cried!)
My thoughts are with you!
XX
actually Maalie, I was thinking of a multitude of birds and animals since it says, "the man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field."
funny - I guess the next line is appropriate for today since it is Valentine's Day, "But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him."
No blood-pump throb for him...
Our family companion, golden retriever Wendydog, left this world last year. We all miss her terribly. We all went to the vet's with her, we all petted her, we all stroked her, we all cried.
I know how much you miss Cookie.
Dry your tears.
And keep smiling.
maalie- don't forget my 2 meter long Python!!
The other day when I had breakfast with it(see blog) it tempted me! ;o)
I remain absolutely astonished that in this day an age, with our advanced understanding of anthropology, archaeology and genetics, that any thinking person can actually BELIEVE that the whole of the present humanity stems from just two people who were "put there" on the sixth day in some mythical garden. Only 4 or 5 thousand years ago.
The offspring of Adam and Eve would have to breed with each other (and with their parents) like tribes of monkeys do, and that would result in genetic chaos. Just think about it. The notion is clearly preposterous.
Maalie - I think we have covered that territory before.
I don't know how God did it - and I don't restrict Him to the same timeframe you do - actually, I don't restrict Him at all.
You are assuming - do note that I said assuming, that the same physical laws would have been in effect, in the same manner, then as now. And all the while you are neglecting the fact that I am talking about a God who makes and therefore could easily bend or suspend those physical laws. Gee - for that matter, since he spoke everything into being, so I believe, what's to keep him from intervening again after the flood?
Neither of us has any proof at all - nothing conclusive - we believe based on the evidence we have. Now, I am well aware that you consider your evidence REAL evidence and mine not - but so be it. One day we will know for sure and truthfully, I'd rather believe as I do and find I am wrong and there is nothing than believe as you do and find that there is Someone.
For me, the question still remains - do you believe there is a god - or a God - and what will you do with this man Jesus Christ who claimed that he was God?
>do you believe there is a god - or a God - and what will you do with this man Jesus Christ who claimed that he was God?
Halfmom, that is a question that has no relevance to a scientist because science does not "believe" or "disbelieve" anything. Science gathers evidence from observation and/or experiment in order to attempt to explain something. The explanation (theory) may of course change as new evidence comes to light.
To date, I have found no evidence whatsoever to support the hypothesis of a God. As for Jesus, well he probably lived and was respected, even revered, in his time, much as a charismatic leader may be now, and maybe a legend grew up around him. Jesus didn't actually write anything down as far as I understand, he was reported by mankind. And we know only too well how reporting can be prejudiced, exaggerated and misinterpreted. There were lots of Roman leaders, and others, who have claimed they were God. It's called delusion.
>You are assuming - do note that I said assuming, that the same physical laws would have been in effect, in the same manner, then as now
Of course, and that is a pretty sound assumption, don't you think? your "then" is only 4-5 thousand years ago (I think that is how creationists date the earth), but the Chinese had discovered and were drinking tea 5000 years ago! If there were any serious upheavals in the history of the earth (world-wide floods, magic gardens, talking snakes etc.) in the last few thousand years the geological and archaeological record would be awash with evidence of it.
My dear, dear, Maalie - you do love to argue the same points over and over again, don't you?
You insist on putting a timeframe on my thoughts/beliefs and I continue to tell you that, wherever you are getting this timeframe, it is not mine and I am not bound to it.
No, I do not think it is a sound assumption that the same physical laws we see evidence of now have always existed as they are. And, if you will think about it, in order to believe your evolutionary theory, you must, at some point, disregard the second law of thermodynamics. Evolutionary theory requires that things move towards order, not away from it. So, at some point, the universal movement towards entropy must have flowed the other way.
As to the existence of God, since scientists are persons also, yes, it would seem to me to be relevant to them as well. And, I do not mean relevant in the sense of creation; I mean relevant in terms of, “is there Someone there”?
Delusion, mass hysteria – perhaps; or, perhaps there is really Someone there.
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