I recently came across this; it purports to be a man writing about the passing of his Dog.
"Every morning I would walk to the fields, and my dog would come with me. Rain, snow, or shine, he was always at my side. As the years passed and he grew slower, he still came, limping behind but never once giving up. He was more than a dog, he was my shadow, my company, and my truest friend.
The day he passed I went to the fields alone for the first time in fourteen years. The silence felt heavier, and for the first time the path seemed longer. I realised then what he had given me all those years; loyalty without question, love without words. A man can lose many things in life, but losing a shadow like that leaves a mark that never fades".
Dog owners would all probably say the same thing; they prefer Dogs to most humans, and when a Dog dies it leaves a terrible wound that never heals.
During my life I've experienced lots of deaths, and of course one feels sadness. But when a Dog (or a Cat) dies, it stays with you for ever, and can bring tears to your eyes for years afterwards.
very true.
ReplyDeleteI apologise for the horrible 'highlighting', I hadn't realised it would do that!
DeleteI know. My little cat (nearly 70 in cat years) died a few weeks ago and we are still missing her dreadfully.
ReplyDeleteMy Cat Freddie died in 2018, and I still miss him.
DeleteHow true - I miss each one of my dogs I've lost.
ReplyDeleteI think of ours all the time.
DeleteHow strange that you should post this today. My beloved Labrador, Elsa, crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday .... this is my first morning coffee without her licking my feet. The pain of a broken heart is very real 💔
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that Lizzie, you have my greatest sympathy. It's a horrible experience. x
DeleteI prefer humans.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I grew up with a dog [a magnificent black Alsation/German Shepherd, best dog ever, my bodyguard] for the first few years of my life [till one of my uncles gambled him away] and had a few much appreciated cats in my life, I don't get the prolonged grief. Yes, I still have a photo of Bounce, the soppiest of castrated heavy weights of a tom cat, in a prominent place in the lounge. I smile at him. Every so often. In memory. Happy he - and his mother - were in my life but that's about it.
As you know I adore(d) Freddie. The epitome of what a cat is about. Dogs? Some, dare I say most, have this pleading look in their eyes. Drives me nuts. What is it you want now? Also, can't stand subservience. Maybe I should keep a Rottweiler. They'll come for my throat. But, then, who would feed them once I am reduced to bones? It's one of the reasons I have never kept pigs. Animals are ruthless. Albeit, unlike humans, not in a conscious way.
U
The Rottweiler would eat your bones as well.
DeleteI grew-up with cats, but never really mourned their passing. These days I feel very differently about animals.
I'm afraid that Billy puts on that 'pleading look' every lunchtime. He puts his paws on my lap and stares at me until I give him a dog-treat. I can't resist!
Touching.
ReplyDeleteIt was for me too.
DeleteWith great fondness, I also remember each dog and cat I have owned. They are devoted, loyal and true friends. It is hard to say goodbye, and it does not get any easier.
ReplyDeleteI agree. They never really leave us.
DeleteCro, I find this strange that you should post this today also. Not that we've lost an animal recently, last cat died at 15 years at the beginning of the pandemic (a cat that we were told wouldn't make it past 1 year). But we love animals and have always had dogs and cats in our life (mostly cats, but some wonderful dogs too). I miss them all... terribly. And lately have been dreaming about them. In my last dream, I not only was able to pet, but could 'feel' Ghost (cat's name) purring. It made me so happy. Anyway, just wanted to say that these creatures give love unconditionally... something that not all humans do.
ReplyDeleteI think that's what most true animal lovers feel. The rely on us 100%, and it's that bond that makes us so close.
DeleteI've had the heartache - gut wrenching loss of 5 of my beloved dogs - I live now with 4 breathing lovelies and adore them - I can hardly bear not physically seeing the previous ones though - I wish to be reunited with them all one beautiful day forever - flis x
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice thought, I'd love to be reunited with Freddie, my cat.
DeleteI have never lived with a dog. I did look after one for about 10 days once. It had me trained on Day I must see if I blogged about it. It was a steep learning curve.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you travel too much to be tied to a dog. Otherwise a Border Collie would suit you well.
DeleteThe post brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDelete