On June 19 of this year, just as our daughter and her family were starting their RV trip to Alaska—a military move—their beloved lab, Angel, became seriously ill and they made the heart-breaking decision to let her go humanely. It was devastating for their entire family.
I had no idea that in less than a month we would be traveling that same painful road with our own beloved Lady.
Angel and Lady came into our lives about the same time. My daughter and son-in-law were recently married and ready and anxious to bring a dog into their family. Angel was a rescue who had already been through a couple families. She was about two years old when they adopted her—but that is only an estimate.
Angel was a wonderful, loyal, loving dog. She welcomed and protected each of our grandchildren and she was devoted to her humans.
We had been without a dog for about seven years when Lady came to us as a puppy, six months before they adopted Angel.
And now those two well-loved dogs have crossed the Rainbow Bridge together.
Today, after writing in my office, I went into the kitchen and opened the refrigeration. There was no sound of scratchy paws on the laminate floor heading for the kitchen at the sound of the refrigerator opening.
I sat in the living eating my snack. There were no big brown eyes silently staring me down, trying to guilt me into giving her a bite.
This evening when I checked the slider I didn’t ask my husband if he was going to take Lady out one more time before locking the door.
I can see the copper bucket in the corner of the living room—it’s still filled with Lady’s toys. But the living room dog bed is gone—even though our cat Spooky sometimes used it. It was left at the vet’s. Lady was on it when she died, and I did not want to disturb her body just so I could take the bed.
It’s only been three days. This is going to take a while.
(Photo: Lady and Angel)
