Love's Difficult Journey
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By John W. Vander Velden
August 29th, 2023
August has not always been an easy month. Jackie and I
have faced many difficulties during the eighth month of the year. For it seems
that of all the months it is August that we have faced the most separations. I
will not take the time to tell of all the partings that have occurred, or their
significance, but I will share the latest.
Why I woke at midnight I do not know. Not that it was
so unusual for me to become conscious during my sleeping time. But I did wake,
and after I glanced at the clock I slipped out of bed. Our small and only dog,
Cloey, had become ill late Monday afternoon. The dear thing had difficult
evening, and I feared she was fading.
We had done everything we could to make her
comfortable and prayed that once again she would rebound, or at least hold her
own until we could take her to the vet. But Cloey has had serious health issues for
more than three years. An arthritic hip was the least of her difficulties. A
collapsing trachea had caused concern most of her life. Then to add to those
things was her heart condition. We have known for a long time that our dear fur
baby was on borrowed time.
Cloey had endured a difficult summer, yet always
carried a cheerful disposition, a sweetness that I could never explain
accurately to others. It is said that if we are fortunate, we will have one
really special dog. I was blessed with two, but that being said, Cloey was the
very best.
As I mentioned before, I woke and made my way to where
Cloey lay. The living room was only lit by the outdoor security light and a
bright moon, light that slipped through the windows. But my eyes could see
things well enough. She lay exactly as she had at ten-thirty. Cloey lay so very
still that fear came to me there in the dark room. I lay on the floor to see my
wonder dog closely. Then something happened, as I stroked her nose, I heard a
puff of a breath. For a moment I felt my fear was ill placed, but as I lay
beside my dear special friend, I held my breath waiting to hear…to hear
anything. And I knew that Cloey had left us, and gone to the special place
reserved for the very best dogs, those that had dedicated their lives, and
given all their love to those who loved them as well.
So, you see, as of this morning, August 29th,
another parting has been accredited to the month. I am not certain when the
tears will dry, but it will take time. For loss is most profound when what we
lose is greatest. Even if it is, as some might contend, the greatest dog, one
could ever have.
But Cloey, arriving as a mere pup of two months, gave
us thirteen years and seven months. She gave us the best…and the place she held
in our hearts is now so very empty…
Yet I know…that love takes us to places we do not wish
to go…but go we must.
But I also know that love will carry us through…
(545 Words) 8-29-2029
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Good Bye Our Sweet Dog...
