Our pets. We cherish their companionship and adore how they listen to our deepest thoughts. They warm our hearts each time we come home to that loving beast jumping and barking at the door.
Even though we lose pets, we give it our all when we have the chance to do it once more.
As a farm kid, you learn a lot about birth and death.
An abandoned lamb becomes a best friend until it leaves the friendship of the child to become a grown up in the herd.
A dog follows you to every corner of the field or stream happily bouncing next to you.
A horse listens when the child needs a listening ear.
We have them for a time, then suddenly, they are gone.
“You’ll get over it,” my parents would say. “Time heals.” “You will see them again in Heaven.” “A new dog will make it better.”
Well, I say, “I’m 75 years old and still miss them all. They were all my friends.”
This weekend, I will lose a granddog. I want you to know her name. She is an Airedale named Millie, and she is 12 years old, an old age for such a big dog.
Last year, we thought we were going to lose her. She rallied.
In truth, I think she put herself aside to be with us longer. Without a doubt, she loves us with all her heart.
What is it that happens when we give our hearts to our pets? What is this depth of feeling that comes so naturally? Why do we put so much of ourselves, our tears, our joy, our emotions into a furry creature?
They try so hard to please us. All they want is food, time outdoors and our undying love. They become part of our families and are totally embedded in our hearts.
We all need someone to hear our inner thoughts. Someone handy who doesn’t have opinions but can just listen giving us total, unwavering love.
As for me, in my ripening age, a pet such as Millie has been such a treasured part of our lives. She has loved those I love. She has loved me.
This is a heavy column this week written by a sad grandma spending a last day with a truly loved dog. I share this with you who have lost pets to let you know how blessed we have been to have such friends in our lives.
So this column is for Millie. A gorgeous dog who loved, who taught us to laugh, who dedicated her life to all of us. Thank you, Sweet Girl. Forever in our hearts.
Now, go hug your dog, cat, goat, horse, armadillo, whoever knows your heart. They are a gift.
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Pamela Loxley Drake is a Beaverton resident and self-described lifelong “farm girl.” You can contact her at pamldrake@gmail.com.
