He's Gone to Join Her

He lived a full life like his cousin, 'Sally', my 'daughter' . Eventually the struggle to live was more than he or his family could bear. This  precious terrier mix, Mall Cop, the professor, left us on August 27, a sunny day, with warm summer breezes and life all around. Four grandsons, 6 and under, along with their uncle, were the pallbearers for that final goodbye.

We mourn them, love them and are agonized by their passing. In my small childlike mind, I wonder does it really have to happen? Can't they live a little longer, to appease us, their parents? Lives are too short, anyway. Lives of pets are  painfully shorter. In a physical sense the speed of life is times seven. That precious time is simply too short, a painful awareness of the unfairness of it all. 

My Sally, our 65 pound bundle of love, excitement and energy gave us much even when surgeries and recovery dictated otherwise. She was our make work project. Her passing this past July cast a pall upon the summer. Then weeks later her cousin, “Mall Cop” joined her in doggie heaven. It was sorrowful, oh so painfully hard. A large chunk of my life disappeared, just like that!

Many funny moments involving my group of four were written about. Dogs are loving, precious and so funny. On one particular day, years ago, Ella, our mini schnauzer, sister of Mall Cop, was glumped by a skunk. Mall Cop was inside at that time wondering what the fuss was all about. He was not going to allow another bath. He'd had one the other day. The story was written that day, too important not to. Many valuable lessons for us all.To this day, I read "the invisible cloud came running" often. It is comical, even after death, of one who just watched that day but, sadly, is no longer here to comment. His wit was a part of his unique style. He and I had a special bond whenever we were together. We shared the sofa often. Occasionally, the only seat for me was on the floor. That was fine. They were comfortable. I was happy.

Then there was "16 legs in the kitchen", an event so comical that I had to write about it, also. As I sliced the fruit and cucumbers for their afternoon snack, one day, a herd of 'puppies' marching single file, was seen and heard walking, military fashion, into the kitchen. It was time to eat, they demanded. They had waited long enough. They followed me into the next room to snack, with precision, calm and focus. It was my daily duty to them, a love story to the end. I ache for my 'Mall Cop' and 'Sally'. I loved them so.