My Dog Died.
My parents put my childhood dog, Lizzy, to sleep yesterday.
She was almost 13 years old and her health was failing; my parents put her down right before things really got bad- so she didn’t really suffer much.
This was seriously the best dog ever. She was a gorgeous English Springer Spaniel who we rescued when her owner died from cancer. She was so friendly and sweet. She slept with me every night when I was a kid- and when I left for college- she didn’t know where to sleep.
She was super protective and loyal to me. Once when my little brother and I were play fighting he lunged at me and she bit him in the butt!
She would also sit at my feet adoringly and listen to me sing whenever I had to practice for a competition. Sometimes she would sing along.
She always cared more about her people than about herself. One time my brother was rollerblading and Lizzie was running around with him and she got hit by a vehicle that just sped away. My little brother freaked out and crashed on his roller blades and Lizzie ran over and checked on him, on a BROKEN FOOT. Even though she was really hurting- she had to make sure he was alright.
My mom says that in the past few weeks Lizzie had looked like she was in pain, and she’s almost completely incontinent. But, every time she thought that you were looking at her she would sit up and look as happy as she could and wag her tail- but when she thought you looked away she would relax, tired and in pain. Her “job” was to make everyone else happy, and she took it seriously.
Yesterday morning, amid all the chaos of Jonas’ birthday party and people coming over, I had the urge to go look at her picture, even though I had no idea that it was her last day. My mom says maybe that was Lizzie’s gentle way of saying, “Remember me.” I know I always will.
Oh, Leah… I’m sorry for your loss! She sounds like such an amazing dog – and she reminds me a lot of my childhood dog, Janco. They’re probably playing, chasing balls and peeking down together from doggy heaven, right now.
*hugs*
Glad you are back, sorry about your dog.. can’t wait to read your blog daily again!!
JOni
I’m so sorry for your loss.
((hugs))
melissa
My parents had a Springer Spaniel named Casey…he lived 12 wonderful years and was the best dog ever. Sadly, last summer he just couldn’t bear the pain any longer and they had him put down while at their summer home in Nova Scotia. I swear he waited (and endured the 14 hour drive from MA…he despised the car from day one) so that he could be laid to rest in his favorite place on earth, overlooking the Atlantic and my late aunt’s house. Bittersweet tears flowing now. I’m terribly sad for your loss but I’m so glad you’re back, love your blog.
hey just read your post.
it made me cry a lot. i too am trying to deal with the loss of a pet. Sobaka, was her name. she was a mut of a dog that my parents picked up at the pound when i was 7. and she passed away at the ripe old age of 14. she lived on a farm most of her life and when my parents moved from the farm she died less than a week later. i sometimes think she could not bear the separation of her only home she really knew.
she was the best dog one could hope for.
i dont have any great stories about her like you do about lizzie. sobaka just was not that way, she was a serious working dog on the farm, but she was very loyal to me and my dad.
but she had eyes that when you looked into them it was like you were carrying on an intelligent conversation.
i miss her and i hope to meet her again in the afterlife.
hope your grief has subsided into lovely memories of lizzie.
i cant wait till i can think of baka without crying.
mallory