Jim is going off to play with his cameras, and in honor of spring, I'm posting a picture of Lucy (our greying 13-year-old dog), posing in front of our forsythia a few mintues ago.
Beautiful children, adorable poochie!! What an Easter weekend this has been here too.
The fridges, both upstairs and down, are loaded with the leftovers of salmon, ham and all the assorted side dishes. Three large fudge easter eggs that were left over from dessert found their way into my stomach at 2 a.m. And thank goodness for Mike and Ted who were fantastic helpers yesterday. Quell MESS after the 12 guests left and the whole house was in a state. We were also celebrating Vanessa's 5th birthday. Five years ago, the morning that she was born, there was such a nasty blizzard that Ted and I couldn't make it to see her in hospital. Yesterday it was so warm we had the kids in the hammock for a while after dinner. Nope, no global warming at all, lol. Forsythia is in bloom, lilac buds are out and the grass is already green. It's all a month early.
Today is a quasi-holiday here. Ted is going to join Mike and Tony at the family company office later today for some admin work and I have promised to send a bunch of sandwiches for their lunch. I'm in semi-zombie land, kind of tired.
I hope all had a lovely holiday, the last real excuse to eat all that chocolate until Hallowe'en, lol. I wish I'd had my camera out yesterday, particularly for the large bunny rabbit cake we had for dessert, part one. We plunked a big number 5 candle on top, then Vanessa decorated it in her own style. It was a vision, lol. D-i-l took many pics, so maybe there will be one I can share with you later. Her brother and his wonderful bride (both now living in NY city) were here too. She teaches fourth grade in Brooklyn in a rather seamy neighbourhood, had many interesting tales to tell.
I'm off to take a long warm shower. I think I still have chocolate under my nails.
Jim is home. Our beautiful Lucy died very suddenly, about 12 hours after that picture was taken. It's too much for me to describe right now, but Jim and I are still in shock, have finally caught up with all the kids to let them know, and we're now just numb from grief and no sleep.
I'll write more in a day or two.
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"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
Moore, I'm so sorry about Lucy. My sympathies to you and Jim, I know how difficult it is lose a family member. (I know that's what some pets are-especially one as loved as Lucy.) I still take a photo out every now and again of my beloved Suzie (dog) and Wiggles (cat). Both deaths hit me really hard. But, I'm able to now look back and smile when I think of them. I know that's going to take a while for you, but please know we are all thinking of you and Jim and the rest of the family during this terrible moment.
Moore I am so sorry I didn't get to come in here yesterday with my condolences. I am so sad for you and Jim. I just couldn't imagine that kind of loss right now.
Oh, Moore, I am so very sorry for your loss. Sweetest Lucy, lovely girl, in puppy heaven now. My heart goes out to all of you in your family. Many hugs to you. I shall be thinking of you all day, and of beautiful Lucy, too. I am so sorry.
Thank you so much, everyone. I'll admit that it's been a really difficult time. Lucy was tied to so many of our ordinary routines, and there's a massive empty space in just about everything we do. Jim went back to work yesterday (he stayed home Monday, of course), and the house was just stunningly quiet. Our lawn service came by early in the morning, and I braced myself for Lucy's usual barking that didn't come. I had to cancel the boarding I'd arranged for her, during our trip to Arizona, and lost it when they asked me, quite reasonably, if I wanted to reschedule. The day was filled with these kinds of moments, and again at bedtime when Jim would normally take her for a little walk.
We're coping, but it's hard. I honestly don't think we'll get another dog now. We've always had them, but neither of us thinks that we can go through another loss, and if we were to get a puppy now, by the time she was elderly, we'd be pretty darned elderly too, so it's probably not practical.
Not having a pet is going to be a very strange experience for us, and the idea of it leaves its own empty space.
Thank you again for all of your kind comments...
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"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
Moore sorry about your loss. It's one thing when you have an idea and can prepare for the eventuality, but when it comes so suddenly, it's hard to deal with. But there's one thing I know for sure, when I kick the bucket, I'll be walking through the gates, get the bearings and then see all the pets that have come and gone throughout my life. And there will be no pain, no sorrow, no worry, just happiness and joy because you're there together forever. Nothing can take that away.
I'm actually rather curious to see my instincts about our kitten we lost harassing the fish we got Patricia that lasted like 6 days will be accurate. We don't particularly care for that fish, so we think the little one might be getting some revenge for us.
And I know there's the line of "in a better place" and it comes across lacking a lot of meaning these days. But with every fiber of my being, I believe it and I know that she's doing just fine, probably running around with the energy of a puppy having a good time. And yet it all seems so far away to when you'll see her again.
If it helps, I have a theory that time isn't like we see it here in Heaven. And though I hope you're around for a very long time to come, for everyone there, it will be like a blink of an eye that you were separated.
But again, I'm sorry she went and sorry it happened so suddenly.
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"If you were looking for something clever or witty or funny here, you've come to the wrong place."
Thank you so much, Brandon. Jim and I agree with your theory, and frankly if my pets aren't in heaven when I get there, it won't be much of a heaven for me.
I can post what happened later, and I'll just cut-and-paste what I wrote to someone else a day or so ago. It's still a bit much for me to try to reword for here, because it makes me have to think about it all over again, and that's still a very tough thing to do.
Jim told a deeply-sedated Lucy that Amanda and Gypsy would be waiting for her, and ready to frolick through many heavenly fields, and I had no doubt that this is exactly what happened.
It was of great comfort to hear you say so too... Thank you.
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"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have tears in my eyes just reading it. Pets fill such a wonderful spot in our hearts and our lives. Lucy was truly blessed to have you guys, and you were blessed to have her. There is definitely a heaven where our canine companions are waiting for us, playing while they wait for us to get there.
You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sophia
p.s. Long time no speak. I just found the link for this board. I hope that everyone is doing well. Things are very good, up here in Massachusetts.
Moore I continue to feel like I just have no words. My family hasn't had a dog in so long its unreal. I do truly believe that the movie All Dogs Go to Heaven has serious validity to it.
Thank you, everyone. I'm a little better this morning. It's just going to take some time...
And TESS!! I was so surprised to see your post! Please bring us up to date on what you've been doing. I was beginning to think that we might not ever hear from you again... I'm glad to know that everything is going well for you. DETAILS, Tess, DETAILS...
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"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
Moore, I am so sorry to hear about your beloved pet, Lucy. I know how that must hurt. Below is a story for you:
The Rainbow Bridge
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 vigour; 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
-- Edited by Sundancer on Saturday 10th of April 2010 02:35:49 AM
Sundancer, that is a beautiful and much appreciated story. I, too, have lost several beloved pets, and my own idea of pet heaven was never so clearly and beautifully described as this one. I hope Moore also finds some solace in that.
Earlier this morning we watched as "Stanley", our backyard neighbour's puppy, romped around in his yard, and as we have watched him grow up over he past few months, it reminded us, all too well, that as life would have it, we outlive these glorious pets more often than not, and yet we all seem to welcome them into our lives over and over again. Their love makes it all worth while.
it's a gorgeous but cold day here. Happy Saturday, all.
Thank you, Sundancer. That's exactly how I hope it will be!
KaeEll, you're very right about how we animal lovers have to lose our pets all too soon. I'm honestly not sure that Jim and I can go through this again, though. It's always possible that we'll change our minds later, but we're "old" now, and I'm not sure that we're up to beginning again with another puppy.
It's SO cold here today -- almost like fall. Sunny, but the heat is back on. I'd planned a week ago to be in Staunton today, but all that changed after Lucy died. I debated until Wednesday, and then cancelled my reservations. Jim is glad that I'm home today, and I am too. He's gone out to look at new eye glasses for himself (pending my final approval of the frames, LOL), and then I'm not quite sure what we're going to do. If we're completely honest with each other, we really ought to be outside pulling weeds, but...we'll see.
Enjoy watching Stanley's antics, KaeEll. Lucy thought she was a puppy until the very end, and tried on a daily basis to convince Jim and me that she was. Sometimes she was actually successful, because that puppy spirit was always present, even as her eyebrows became gray.
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"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)