Is it Time For a Teary Good-bye ?

My husband and I both grew up with dogs. So it just made sense that when we got married a dog would join us too Our first dog was a black lab/spaniel mix which we purchased for a mere $7.00 at the Soulard Farmer's Market pet shop. We named her Star in honor of the white star shaped patch on the throat of her other wise all black body. She lived a long and happy life with us, although she was known to be a bit on the wild side at times. A memory that sticks out from Star is the day that she discovered that our kitchen floor was only glued down in the corners and chewed away at half of it. We got a new kitchen floor, not really in our plans. Star just loved to eat oranges and grapefruit. This truly awed me as I don't think of fruit as being part of a dog's regular diet. Every time I was eating oranges or grapefruit, she would beg intensely for a piece until I had to give in and share one with her. Sadly, Star died in the backseat of our car on Valentine's Day night 2000 and the way to the Animal Emergency clinic.

 This post is actually a tribute to our second dog, Honey. I remember when you first came into our lives. After 2 days without a dog we decided that it was time for another one . Having both grown up with a dog in the house and part of the family,  we couldn't bear the silence and emptiness of our house without a dog. So we headed to all the shelters we knew. Honey endeared herself to us from the start. As if they knew we would probably make a home for one of them, the shelter dogs looked at us longingly as we walked up and down the aisles looking at each dog to determine if he or she would fit into our lifestyle and requirements. We knew we wanted an older dog, one that had already been housebroken. Honey must have known that too because while the other dogs just settled back down after we walked past them, Honey let us know that we should not just walk away from her by barking at us. Her bark and the fact that she was a beautiful honey-colored sheltie, lab and chow chow mix who has one and one half years old and housebroken made us decide to make room for her in our life.

We had many wonderful years with Honey. Just like Star she never ceased to amaze and entertain us with her antics. She was the only dog I've ever known that would rather go for a ride in the car than go for a walk on a leash. Somehow she knew when we were going somewhere and would insist that she come along-which she did on many occasions. One occasion which we still laugh about every once in a while is a day when my husband Ernie made a trip to Home Depot for garden plants. As was normal he took Honey with him. He drove to Home Depot, leaving Honey in the car , windows rolled down for comfort. He walked through the garden section at Home Depot looking for bedding plants. All of a sudden he saw a dog running around near the area. Then he realized that it was Honey. The desire to be with him was so strong that she had jumped out of the half-way rolled down car window to join Ernie in his search for plants.

 When we first got Honey she had no idea how to play with toys. We spent a lot of time teaching her and suddenly she would come to us with a toy in her mouth, insisting that is was playtime. We made it a tradition to include a new toy for Honey as we did our holiday or souvenir shopping. She loved to cuddle or keep watch with us on our queen size bed. Eventually she lost the ability to get up on the bed and created a new space on the floor next to Ernie's side of the bed. But a loud thunderstorm would find her on my side, away from the window that was on Ernie's side and the threat of thunder and lightening. She also loved to play in the snow. If was fun to watch her frolic through the snow making a trail with here nose and making occasional snow angels.

As we all do in time, Honey grew older. She started to sleep more and play less. She became unable to wait more than a few hours for a trip outside to relieve herself. She began to have trouble walking and eventually could no longer walk without much effort for her and assistance on our part. We started to wonder, would today be her last day or tomorrow or next week? Just as we were sure that Honey was about to say good-bye, she would show signs of the younger dog who had been full of life.

How do you say goodbye to a best friend, companion, guardian, comedian and all around pal? I don't know but I do know that the day is coming soon when we will have to say goodbye.

It is known fact that dogs can be a calming presence in our life. They can lower our blood pressure, relieve our pain-both physical and emotional and just all around make us happy.

Do you have a dog that has shared your life ? I would love to hear his or her story. Feel free to write a story in the comment box below. 

Until next time,

Think, Live and Be Pain-Free - with a dog at your side  !!

Joy:)