Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Exit Stage Left

We decided to get a puppy eleven years ago - a somewhat obscure breed known as the Flatcoated Retriever. My DH wanted a male and I (being the only woman in a house of men) wanted a female. When the litter came it was only one puppy, a female. The deal was sealed when she fell asleep in his arms. I finally had my "daughter".








We called her Echo after a Rush album titled "Test for Echo". I'd wax poetic about her cute habits or even about how she was the bestest dog in the whole dang world but if you're reading this and have a dog yourself, you'll know that's bullshit because your dog is the best in the world.

These pictures were taken just at the exact last moment in time before my little boys suddenly became men. From the time they were six years old until now, she's been my "wing girl" watching over Butch and Sundance with all the patience in the world. She never knew a world that didn't include having peanut butter and jam in her ear hair from sticky little fingers.



Yesterday started like any other day and ended with a frantic search for a vet not experiencing a power outage as the years finally caught up with our sweet pet. We were there for her when she needed us to do right by her. No regrets.
Unplanned holes suck. In our knitting and in our lives. As the old saying goes - I truly hope to someday become the person my dog thinks I am.

15 comments:

Kate Linnea Welsh said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful tribute for a beautiful girl.

I'm sorry for your loss

Romi said...

I'm so sorry, Michelle.

Pixiepurls said...

so sorry, it is always hard to loose a part of the family.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous pictures. Butch and Sundance look just like you. What a wonderful life Echo had.

Kathleen said...

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
We lost our dear feisty kitty recently. Although I am certainly not of a religious bent, I think of heaven as having a reunion with all those loved pets. It seems to help me when I do meditation to picture being in a nest surrounded by them and all their cuddlesome love.
Best wishes to you and your family,

Anonymous said...

This is the hardest part of having a pet.....we all know right from the start that it's part of the deal.....but it doesn't make it any easier when the time comes.

I feel for you and your family.

Even though you don't want to "replace" the one you lost, if you love dogs and you are willing to provide a great home, give your love to another one soon.....don't wait.

vanessa said...

michelle, what a beautiful tribute to your echo.
crying crying here in florida for you and the boys.

Dr. Steph said...

I'm sorry about Echo. Lovely tribute to her.

Anonymous said...

Dang, I was warned and wasn't going to cry, but shoot.

What a lucky dog, and what a lucky family you were to have found each other.

She has no pain now, and left behind a lot of joy and memories.

All the best, Diane

Carol in NoVa said...

You are the person your dog thinks you are. If you don't believe me, ask Marlowe. So very sorry to hear about Echo and she was truly a beauty.

Susie Hewer said...

Losing a beloved pet is such a wrench. I am so sorry for your loss. She was gorgeous.

deirdre said...

What a beautiful puppy, and a lovely, lovely tribute...

sounds like she had a fabulous life...

sillyewe said...

Oh, what a beautiful tribute! She must have been a really special member of your family. I am sure she had a wonderful life with your family. So sorry for the loss.

Strickmuse said...

This is so sad, I'm sorry for your loss. The pictures are beautiful and will be a great memory of a great trusting friend.
S