Comments on: Grace

By: The Literary Lioness

The Literary Lioness — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:15:12 +0000

I had cats for many years and it was so hard to let go of them when the time came.

One of my favorites was a very calm cat and nothing ruffled him. Every time I would get upset about something I would think of him and calm down. I’d actually try to be like him!

Animals can teach us so much! My cats taught me the innocent joy of living. They just loved life and were so happy.

By: Cynthia Stone

Cynthia Stone — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:36:57 +0000

Loyal and brave-hearted beyond all reason, I’ve been honored to own two German Shepherds. Lakota loved her flawed family. When you couldn’t find another friendly face, she’d commiserate with you all day. Even when she had to totter on collapsed hind legs she’d gallently drag herself through the woods to accompany her humans and appear to enjoy it.
We euthanized Lakota last March. We watched her successor, obtained from the same breeder, be whelped a few weeks later. Blitzkreig is 10 months old now, as handsome and imposing as Rin Tin-Tin. Full of youthful energy and tempted by the dogs and sheep on the small farm behind us, he’ll go for a quick romp but return when we call. Such underserved loyalty!
Bless you for your tenderhearted care. Dogs are an amazing portion of God’s creation, and show us how to be better than we otherwise are.

By: Edie

Edie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:39:11 +0000

I’ve learned that it’s easier for my pets to train me than for me to train them. After a year of trying to get my dog to stay off the couches, we gave up. When my cat is in the mood for attention, I stop whatever I’m doing (usually writing) and pet her.

We’ve had two dogs pass, and it’s sad. Big hugs.

By: Barbara Samuel O'Neal

Barbara Samuel O'Neal — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:16:35 +0000

Their lives do burn so much faster than ours. Thanks for the hugs.

Sharyn, I know a woman who swears her cat absorbed her cancer, taking it from her as she slept on her chest. I remember Cassie and her last year very well.

So true about the moment, Anne. Now. Now. Now.

By: Sharyn

Sharyn — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:56:52 +0000

When my St. Cassie was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma of the sinuses at 11yo and given 4-6 weeks to live, I was devastated. She was the dog of my heart. I took her to a wonderful homeopathic vet and that woman kept Cass alive for a year, pain-free and with no invasive treatments. We all knew the day would come, though, that we would have to let her go. That last year was one of the most amazing experiences of my life in so many ways. Yes, it was bittersweet, but I couldn’t be sad or negative because Cass would have felt it and I couldn’t add to her illness. She took everything one day at a time and never complained about anything, a very good lesson for me to learn. When the end came (I awoke one morning just knowing it was the day — I swear she beamed it to me) she went quietly and with dignity and love, with me holding her in my lap. (And now I’m crying again…) A side-effect of her experience was that I have never again had a sinus infection or bad sinus headache. It’s like she took that part of me with her when she left.

By: anne gracie

anne gracie — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:46:15 +0000

Lovely post, Barbara. I think the most valuable lesson my dog teaches me daily (and which I haven’t yet learned well) is to live in the present, and to take joy at small things. My dog is wholehearted about anything she does, 100 % there in the moment. Toss her a bone, she’s happy. Toss her a ball, she’s ecstatic. Toss her a smile and she thumps her tail in acknowledgement. Leave her outside and she snoozes, or chases pigeons away, or digs up an old bone and happily gnaws on it. And she greets me ecstatically when we meet again, whether it’s been an hour, or a day. She doesn’t hold a grudge or fret about the future, she just accepts, and lives in the moment.

By: Barbara Samuel O'Neal

Barbara Samuel O'Neal — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:59:54 +0000

Julie, nothing like a puppy! Thanks for making me laugh.

Ruthie, hugs hugs hugs. The size of the hoel they leave behind is pretty incredible. Glad you got a dog, finally.

Thanks for that, Loreth. I’m enjoying your coming dog story. Can’t wait to watch him grow!

By: inkgrrl

inkgrrl — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:27:03 +0000

Oh sweetie, and sweet Sasha too! Their lives burn brighter and faster than ours, and it’s so hard to let go… may we all be so loved.

By: Loreth

Loreth — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:02:16 +0000

Goodness, Barbara, you bring tears to my eyes. In so many ways. While animals teach us to be human, so does sharing our stories, like this. Thank you. My heart is with you guys.

By: Ruthie

Ruthie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:44:16 +0000

Growing up, I was deprived a pet, of any kind. My brothers and I were focused on practicing piano and hitting the books. When I got married, it took almost 20 yrs. for my family to ‘convince’ me of getting a dog. The very first kennel we visited, they picked Abby, the cutest little Westie. I panicked! I couldn’t say no.

True to their words, my husband and my two wonderful daughters pitched in immediately and trained Abby. She turned out to be the most lovable, loyal and obedient dog. She was my husband’s dog. The two were inseparable. Abby would wait, everyday, for Jeff to come home. She’d sit at the door and just wait. Never moved, not even for food. they’d lie together and watch TV everynight. Frick and Frack.

Did I bond with Abby? Yes and No. She sensed my distance from the beginning. But through the years, we had an ‘understanding’. I walked her, fed her and played with her. She liked me, but she was in love with Jeff. Dogs are so smart.

Abby was with us for almost 15 years. Like your Sasha, her last year was difficult. She was also blind, lost her sense of smell and had many accidents. A little over a year ago, we had to put Abby down as her hind legs totally failed and was told she had a stroke.

What was surprising was my reaction. I was devastated! Inconsolable. She brought such happiness to all of us. I find myself ‘talking’ to her constantly, to this day. I’d walk in the house and still expect to see her, sitting on the couch. I still expect her to give me a welcome kiss. I so miss her. And I LOVED her!