Today I miss this guy.
After thirteen years of living a very large life with our family, he laid himself down for a long nap three weeks ago and now sleeps forever under the lovely shade of the big tree in our front yard.
He was so good at helping me write blog posts.
He protected the house from marauding squirrels.
And as Sarah discovered in a dozen different ways, he was an expert at the art of relaxation.
He helped with the chores.
And he was always the very model of obedience.
So yes, I miss my little fella—I miss ALL the things about him that I loved.
And today I’m missing my big fella, too, the fella who pleaded so passionately when he was just nine years old, “Mom, can’t we please get a dog?”
So we did.
And for so many years, the two of them were best pals. (This is Nathan is in his usual teasing mood with Snowy saying, “A little help here, Mom?”)
Although I was so sure that Nathan was going to be the rare bird who was going to live with his mother until he was at least seventy-five, somewhere along the way that wonderful plan went awry.
Nathan went off to college for four years. He set up residence in Florida. And then he found himself a most marvelous woman to marry.
What’s that all about? I mean, really? Who said he could do all that? Who said that months and months could pass between visits home?
Sigh.
One doggie son. One human son. Gone missing.
I am so thankful that during the days when they were still around, they conspired to create a wealth of precious, funny, fond memories–memories that make me smile in spite of myself, in spite of my missings, in spite of my tears.
I loved our years when we all lived under the same roof. And even though that’s no longer the case, I will never, never, ever stop loving my two boys.
Our most current dog is still here, but alas, both of the kids are away at college this year! So, it’s too quiet in my house and I will have to do the cooking if there is to be food!
Dawn, two kids away at college? Well, you definitely NEED that dog for good company, don’t you? 🙂
Mary, what a great, GREAT story. It made me smile!
I still miss my Picky, who, on the 9th, will have been gone for 2 years. There is not one day that goes by that I dont think of him. He was with me for 15 wonderful years and I never took a moment for granted. I took as many pictures of him throughout his little life,especially the last 2 when we were both bedbound. Then he was with me 24/7.
You willl never forget Snowy. Snowy, like Picky was one of a kind. I know how much you miss him and how it feels to see his picture and have your tears well up. I cant believe its only been 3 weeks. It seems like yesterday yet forever at the same time.
Rest in Peace Snowy. Watch over Momma and the family as their new chapter of life opens and they learn to go on, with your memory and life in thier hearts.
god bless you
Nancy, thank you for your sweet words. Our dogs will never be forgotten.
missing your wee guy, too!
liked Mary’s story of God’s creating dog and cat.
Mrs. Pam, thanks for missing him with us!
Becky, I came across this today in an old e-mail – I don’t know if you have seen it but I thought it might give you a smile today – I have both of these creations of God and the description is right on the money!
Subject: “Where do pets come from?”
Adam and Eve said, “Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you anymore. We are lonesome here and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us.”
And God said, “No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves.”
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.
And it was a good animal.
And God was pleased.
And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail.
And Adam said, “Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.”
And God said, “No problem. Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.”
And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.
And they were comforted.
And God was pleased.
And dog was content and wagged his tail.
After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said, “Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.”
And God said, “No problem! I will create for them a companion who will be with them forever and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration.”
And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.
And Cat would not obey them.
And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat’s eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was happy.
And Cat didn’t care one way or the other.
Snowy…never forgotten…loved by many…home defender…squirrel chaser…and Maltese literary genius. One of a kind.
Jojy, a perfect description of an (almost) perfect dog. Thanks for the smile.
Hugs to you today Becky. May you take comfort today in love- the love you had for Snowy and the love he had for you, the love of you and your family, the love of God.
Jenna, yes, there was definitely a lot of love in that Snowy/Smith Family mix! Thanks for your compassionate words.
I still miss my dog, Tinkerbell, who passed away in my loving arms back in January 2010, exactly three weeks after my mom’s passing. Never stop missing my dog and my parents!
Kristi, Tinkerbell is such a sweet name. I can’t imagine the trauma of losing her dog and your mom in the same month; such irreplaceable losses.
When the time is right … Maybe a new pet friend should bless your lives
Lisa, yes, we are definitely open to the idea of a new dog!
I was just thinking about Nathan while reading one of your recent posts. How is he doing? Isn’t it awful how rarely we get to see the boys now? I mean, I know they have to go off and live their big lives, but, really, how does a mama deal? Sometimes, it’s OK and then some days, it’s not. And grandbabies? We won’t be a daily presence in their lives either. Boohoo. Sigh.
Hugs to you today.
Lesley
Lesley, yes, boohooing and sighing right along with you. I know that we are proud of our big ol grown up sons but why is growing up so often synonymous with going away? To answer your question, Nathan is doing well–still working at Chick Fil A (as a Team Leader) and staying busy with all the varied adventures of newleywed-ness! 🙂
Aw, Becky, some days are so much harder than others. When our house is emptier than we ever wished, it is all we can do to conjure up the memories to try and fill it up, but conjure we must. I What a great thing that you have all the photos you have taken of all the simple, easy, day to day times to remember all you love, as those are the really important moments we all take for granted. Just remember, Becky, that you raised both those “boys” with such great love and they know it to this very day.
Mary, I am ever so grateful for the photos. What a joy to sit and look at them and see them surrounded by the old, sweet memories.