Sunlight is streaming in this morning and the reflection off the snow is blinding – in a beautiful, sparkling way.
There’s a sun puddle covering most of our living room and the only thing missing from it is old dog.
Frankie loved the sun puddles and even more so in winter and especially as he aged.
He’d hoist himself out of his posture-pedic dog bed and shuffle to the center of the room where the carpet was warmed. With a huff and a grunt he’d settle in, stretch forward and back and, I swear he’d smile.
Frankie with one eye open, is lunch ready? An Emjayandthem (C) photo
With one eye on me, he’d drift between sleeping and snoring and active fridge monitoring, the warmth of the sun enveloping his old bones. His sighs could be heard from the next room and beyond.
It’s mornings like this one that something as simple as sunlight can make me cry.
an impression of Mr. Bear’s paw; an Emjayandthem (C) photo
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go to where they went.” Will Rogers
*I’ve had – and loved – plenty of pets in my life. But I’ve never had one quite like my Frankie. I’m learning there’s no “statute of limitations” on grief. Is there a pet that you still miss to this day?
May our good and gracious God give you a sense of His love in the fond and affectionate memories of Frankie….one of His beloved creatures.
Thank you .. and He does. MJ
I still miss my squirrel. We had him for about eight years or so. He loved orange popsicles and watching Letterman, and once he scared off two young evangelists in their white shirts and ties. “Ma’am,” said one. “Do you know there’s a squirrel laying on top of your door?” “Sure do,” I said. “He keeps an eye on visitors for us.” They fled. They’re probably still telling the story, too.
That’s a great story that made me smile ~ who knew? I’ll be those two youngsters are STILL talking about that!! MJ
I’ve had a ton of cats and I loved them all. However, there is one that was extra special. She was the smartest cat I’ve ever had. She could get out of the house if she wanted to. Opened doors. Pushes out screening on windows. One day she wanted to come back in and was yelling at the back door. I didn’t respond so she went from window to window looking for me. When she found me she yelled at the window and I let her in. I had her 16 years. She saw me through some tough times. When she went I was a basket case for 6 weeks, spending some amount of time crying each day. Eventually I passed the grieving stage. I had other cats at the time so it wasn’t like I didn’t have a pet. She was just that special.
She sounds like she was extra special. Those smart ones with full personality leave such an impression on us!! I’m sorry 😦 MJ
Such great memories of your fur baby! I could picture his sunbathing ways so clearly through your words. He WILL be waiting for you when it’s your time to leave this world. I know it.
I felt a similar kind of grief after our Shelby passed. She was ours for fourteen years and it hurt so much to see her go. It was years before I could consider letting another into our home. But I have never regretted it since we did!
Bella was only with us for five months, having joined our family late in her life. I stop to think of them sometimes, or happen across their old collars or toys and I’ll still find myself in tears. For those of us with hearts for our four-legged friends, it’s natural. They loved us truly and unconditionally. How could we not miss them like this?
Thank you, Terri. I know he will be there waiting patiently with my Riley (my childhood pony) and a host of kitties, too.
I remember you writing about Shelby and of course “meeting” Bella when you had her in your family, too. And now you have Miss Lucy Pie and your life is forever changed and better for it 🙂 Thank you for “getting it,” MJ
I still think about my Sake every darn day and it’s going on two years. Hugs.
yes and yes.
MJ
Yes. MJ I get it. My dog’s name was Elsie. She was a little black and white Aussie/Kelpie cross. BEST. DOG. EVER. I could teach her anything. Anything at all. She traveled with us on the road and was part of the crew. The guys called her the “dog’s dog” when people asked “why do you have that dog on the hitch, it’s not a Dalmatian”. 🙂 She was so dang awesome that I was a bit fearful she’d be stolen. I lost her to a hit and run a few months after we moved to Indiana in 1998. I was devastated. She was only four and a half. I deeply miss her to this day.
Guess that’s not very encouraging! Sorry. At least the pain is considerably less intense than it was the first few years. (And to be perfectly honest here, and with myself, I was also extremely home sick).
~d.
Elsie sounds like a treasure – and those Aussie’s are known for being super smart. It must have hurt so much to have lost her so suddenly 😦
Thank you for understanding! MJ
Aw…. you’re right that a little portion of that grief never really leaves us. We both still miss our sweet Beezy kitty…My kitty soul-mate.
Yes, it just never quite leaves us does it. Pawprints on our hearts fur-ever! MJ
Warmest hugs to you, MJ. Frankie is wagging his tail over your sweet memories.
I miss my first cat, Spike. Though he thought he was a dog.
Indeed he is & I will see him again one day. And he won’t be old and sore, he’ll be young and happy and ripping around the yard like he used to 🙂
I would love to hear more about Spike, the cat who thought he was a dog!! Thank you for your warm hugs, I felt them 🙂 MJ
I miss my old English setter Susie who lived to be 15. She was the most mischievous dog imaginable, but could read my mind. All I had to do was look at her, and she knew what I was thinking. I never truly appreciated her until she was gone.
15 is really an old age for a dog – wow! I would love to hear more about her 🙂 MJ
So sweet! Thinking of you and Frankie!
I hope your new little fur-friend is enjoying his new home 🙂 Thanks for your kind thoughts, Leah. MJ
I miss them all, especially the Golden Retriever. That’s a good way of describing it “no statute of limitations” on grief.
there’s just a little pinch that still sneaks up and gets me … MJ
It’s been a long time, and I still get misty-eyed every once in awhile, especially when talking about him. I guess they will always own a piece of our hearts, MJ.
yes, always. I completely agree, MJ