Saturday, January 7, 2012

7 January 1933 “Saying Good-Bye to an Old Friend”


Yesterday I was away from my home duties as well as my blog because an old friend was passing. My Sister-in-laws faithful old dog, Uno. Those who are not dog lovers or owners may think such reverence silly for just an ‘animal’. But, those who share their lives with “man’s best friend” will no such a passing really does touch one.

It also felt the passing of a phase of my life as well. I recall going with my Sister and Mother in law to pick up Uno as a puppy. That was 14 years ago. Yet, it seems only yesterday.
I can remember him running in the snow with one of my Italian Greyhound puppies back then and she, too, is gone now. Two Christmases ago we had a lovely white holiday and went ‘coasting’ and he followed along. Being half husky he loved the snow and was chasing and nipping at our voyages down the snow laden paths, licking us happily as we collapsed in snow drifts at the bottom, racked with laughter.

I was glad I was there for my sister in law. It felt fitting that we two, who first rescued the unwanted runt of a litter, should be the last to lay the farewell kiss upon his brow as he took his final sleep.
In our family we have dogs. We are simply a dog family, always have been always will be. There have been dogs there by our sides for generations. There are pictures and portraits of ancestors happily accompanied by some four legged companion. They have been an integral part of who we are, in so many ways.
We have very few children in our immediate family and so one can imagine a family so childless but so filled with dogs have endless photos of their furry children at every event. Puppies smiling from the decks of sailboats in the summer, lounging on beaches with us, even hidden in bags under tables at restaurants for birthdays and celebrations. They form a large part of our life and so to see one pass can be hard.

Today I am off to a friends birthday party and so will be cheered and happy again. I shall return tomorrow with more fun things to discuss but today I shall close today with a link to a post I made in 1955 saying good bye to another old family four-legged friend, Gilbert. HERE is the post, enjoy.

Happy Homemaking.

8 comments:

  1. I know how important dogs (any pet really)can become to a person, they get under your skin and become like part of the family.

    I'm sorry for your loss.

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  2. I am sorry to hear this. As a dog owner, I can empathize with such a heartbreaking loss.

    Take Care.

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  3. I'm glad you were able to be there with him at the end to say your goodbyes.

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  4. Donna,
    My husband and I do not have children (by choice). We have two dogs, a Pug and a Chihuahua and we have had both of them since they were 6 weeks old. Your post touched my heart. Our dogs are our children and they sleep with us every night in our bed. Every time my husband is deployed his Pug actually gets depressed until he returns. I cannot imagine life without them. I am glad you were able to be with him till the very end. We wish you and your family the very best at this very sad time.

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  5. We are dog people too (don't tell the cats). I totally understand your sadness and your joy in loving Uno. Hope your heart is light with wonderful memories now.

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  6. I'm sorry for your loss 50's gal, my heart goes out to you these beautiful creatures are lent to us for such a short time, we lost our beloved Gizmo of 15 years a shizu (spelling sorry), my heart still aches for my little pooch. In ways, it was harder than losing my grandmother my boys and I cried so hard. A few months ago we opened our hearts again and are proud owners of a soon to be 7 month old Yorkie poo named Toby. This little boy has deeply touched my heart and I pray he lives as long as gizmo did.

    ((HUGS))

    Mom in Canada

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  7. I'm so very sorry to read about your loss. We do not have a dog, but our beloved cat, Tommy, died a little more than a year ago, at 14 years old. How that hurt! Our son cannot even remember a time when we didn't have him. All his little habits...just how he was a part of the family. Pets do leave such a void when they've gone.

    in sympathy-
    Brenda

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