Before I get to this post, a reminder that I’m running two contests giving away Arcs (advance reading copies) of SHADES OF WICKED, Night Rebel book one, also known as Ian’s book. Details here.
Now, to my post, which has nothing to do with books, publishing, or anything writing-related, so skip if you only want professional stuff. Also, if you don’t love pets, don’t bother reading any further because I’m going to gush about my dog in ways that will make non-pet-lovers gag. Seriously, you’ve been warned.
All right, anyone who’s spent more than ten minutes with me knows that I have dogs. My youngest dog, Loki, is six and a half, and my oldest dog, Gypsy, is fourteen and a half. I love them both to pieces, but today, I’m only going to talk about Gypsy. Sorry, Loki, but since you don’t read, I’m sure you’ll get over it ;).
At Gypsy’s advanced age, I know I’m not going to have her much longer. Being a writer, I’ve thought about penning a piece about her once she’s gone to talk about what an impact she’s had on my life. However, I also know myself. When she’s finally gone, I’ll be a heartbroken wreck and unable to string together two words about her without breaking down. That’s why I decided to write this now. Pet lovers, I’m sure you understand. Non-pet-lovers, last chance: GO.
First, some background: when my husband and I first brought Gypsy home, we were still reeling over the deaths of our beloved ferrets (side note: you don’t have to like ferrets, but please don’t say anything negative about them in the comments because to this day, I have no tolerance for that.) Sure, I’d had dogs and cats growing up, but I’d never had a dog as an adult. When we brought Gypsy home, I’ll be honest – my expectations weren’t that high. So, if I’d bothered to pray at all about what I hoped for, it would have probably sounded something like this:
Dear God, please don’t let this pet die anytime soon. You know none of our ferrets lived much past age six and I can’t take any more grief for a while, kthxbye.
What I didn’t know then, yet know now after having Gypsy for nearly fifteen years, is that I could have prayed this:
Dear God, I need a furry bundle of absolute, unconditional love. I’m talking about something that will dance around my feet with joy every single time I walk in the door, even if I’ve only been gone an hour and even if, many years later, her arthritis acts up so much that she takes a little while to make it over to me. She also has to sit close whenever I’m sad, make me laugh at the endless cute things she does, quietly lay beside me if I’m sick, and provide me with priceless companionship if I’m alone. She has to do all these things with a joy that can’t be muted even when I don’t give her all the treats she wants, or if I’m busy with work and don’t give her the attention she seeks. She has to immediately forgive my faults, such as taking her to her most hated place (the vet) and my frequent absent-mindedness (I didn’t see your paw; sorry for stepping on it!) She has to stare at me as if I personally made everything she finds wonderful in life, yet also look at me with complete trust when things are going wrong (her multiple surgeries or her other health issues.) She has to do all this every single day for the next third of my life, all while bringing me joy that can’t be expressed in words because it is too great.
And to that impossible list of hopes, dreams and demands, God would have replied “That’s easy – here she is.”
Amen, amen, amen!
Yes, yes, yes! So well said!
She is beautiful! We just lost one of my pugs a few weeks ago and I’m still lonely. I miss hearing her yell at me every morning to hurry up and feed her. She was very demanding! I hope your precious baby gives you plenty more time, and when it’s her time, I’ll be sending you much love and hugs.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you.
Would a beautifully written post ❤️
I lost my budgie a few months ago, and my heart still hurts. Pets are the best though
So sorry! Sending hugs and wishes for your heart to heal soon.
Crying now. That was beautiful
On behalf of Gypsy, thanks Mom I love you too!
I know exactly how you feel. I had to put my guide dog down two years ago almost to the day. He was my everything, and I now call myself a dog angel mom. Your girl sounds beautiful.
“Dog angel mom” is beautiful. Hugs.
I lost my sixteen year old beloved friend Cadfael in March. I am now writing a memoir of the sixteen years we were together and the difference he made in my life. Looking back and writing it, I can see the magical changes he made by being in our lives. We did get a puppy, Magic, a few months ago and I bless that since I’ve had another loss recently in my family. This puppy, who chews what he shouldn’t, breaks what I didn’t like that much anyway and makes you laugh at his craziness is just what is needed and I thank the universe for both these animals in my life. We are better people for loving animals. If I could give any advice on your pet’s age, try not to worry about the ticking clock thing. I see now I sweated for that too much. Just enjoy, enjoy! Every bright moment.
“We are better people for loving animals” says it all. Wishing you joy with the new puppy, and sending hugs for your loss.
Wow! Gypsy is BEAUTIFUL! And, as a new dog owner myself (as an adult), I hear and wholeheartedly agree with your prayer.
Congrats on the new dog! Btw, congrats on your daughter starting high school (I think that was it?) Saw your Twitter photo of her a while back, but neglected to comment on it there.
Your memory is intact! A freshman in high school. Thanks!
Your right best to say these things now than wait. I had my golden retriever for 15 yrs. She’s been gone for fifteen yrs. I still think I see her peeking around a tree at me in the fall. Plowing thru piles of just raked leaves. Ignoring my husband (I had her first) with a toss of her head. Her way of saying to him. “I love you but you aren’t the boss.” I could go on but after all these years, the housefull of pets, she’s the one that has my heart.
They always have our hearts, don’t they? Even when they’re gone. That’s the beautiful thing about love. It truly never dies.
Hi Jeaniene,
I grew up with dogs, but got cats as I got older. Easier to care for when you’re at work all day. But I enjoy the company of both. Never had a ferret, so can’t speak one way or the other.
I will say this about my last cat, I lost track of how many times I said, “Dude, you do know that’s your own tail, right?” He was kind of a dork, but I loved him to pieces anyway. Even when he would get up from the foot of the bed at 2am, walk up to my head and just meow like crazy. Still not sure why that happened. But after a brief interaction, he would go back to the foot of the bed, curl up and go back to sleep. *shrug Never understood it, but it never changed how I felt about him.
You just never forget them.
Roseann
Oh, I love cats, too. I’m just allergic to them, and my husband is VERY allergic. Like, break-out-into-hives allergic. But I agree – they’re great, loving pets. Sounds like your kitty was quite a character! Maybe he used to have bad dreams, and woke you up to “tell” you about them? :).
I have allergies to both, but not as severe as my other half. Which is why I’m currently pet-less. My poor guy just was so congested.
And here I thought I was nuts for thinking something similar. I did wonder if it was a dream of some sort that woke him. Maybe you’re right, that was his way of saying, “Mom, I had a bad dream.” It’s either that, or we’re sitting on the crazy train together. 🙂
I hope gypsy lives for a good long time. I lost my boy salem,he was a great little tuxedo cat. He too knew when I needed extra love and comfort. I always say no more animals because my heart littery feels like it’s breaking but soon I will go pick out a new cat kid. It’s part of life but it’s so hard. My gramma told me long ago that a animal who was well loved will come back to their family as different animals!!! I hope so cause I miss Salem a shitload!!! Hugs&more hugs for you and your gypsy!!💝💜💙🐱💖💗😉
My girl Sugar is 13 and is having pee problems, weight problems and isn’t as spry as she used to be, but I figure she’s just trying to keep up with us. We rescued a boy dachshund last year, she’s half, who is 11 now and they give us joy. We talk to them as if they can understand us, after all they’re our kids. They’re aging with us and I decided only to take senior dogs. I worry about who will take them if we go first. This way we go after them and they’re not alone. But it will be sad when they go even if it’s part of life.
From the time I was eight years old my family has had anywhere from one to three dogs. I’m now sixty two and have had the great fortune to be able to say that sixteen of the most wonderful creatures God has ever created have been, or currently are, part of my life. I’ve had to say my farewells to fourteen of them and each and every time has been more heartbreaking then the last. You would think there would be a limit to how much pain one person can endure at such loses, but there’s one thing that makes it all worthwhile. The boundless love that each and every one of those dogs gave to me during the seven to seventeen years each one was part of the family. When I get to an age where it seems any dog I might have could outlive me, I will no longer have a dog. That will be one of the saddest days of my life, but I can’t bear the thought of leaving a beloved pet behind. Until then I will continue to enjoy the blessing of sharing my life with dogs.