The Reason I’ve Been Quiet
Besides the terror of Finals Week, a humiliating Mathematics placement test, a sick child, etc., the final straw on Thursday evening was when our happy dog, Chuck, was accidentally hit by a car in front of our house. He died later that night. I would like to consider this post an apology to anyone who has loved and lost a pet because I probably used to make fun of you. Now I’ve joined your ranks. I can’t believe how much I have cried over the last couple of days.
I’m not ready to blog eloquently about him or neatly list all the reasons why I know I’ll be back to myself soon. Instead, I’m going to take a break. Probably just a week or so, but I wanted you all to know. Don’t worry about me, my heart has been broken before, I know it mends well! It just seems like a good time to indulge in a mini-sabatical.
Yes they are “dogs”, but like the children on the couch with Dan, they become members of the family, and a fixture in your world. I know the emptiness, and I am truly sorry for all of you.
You poor, poor things. I’m so sad for you. And what a hard week building up to it! Of course you’ll mend. But I know it hurts like heck until you do. I definitely understand your break.
(That’s such a sweet picture.)
Oh, I hurt for you. I cried and cried when we lost our dog. Have you read Love That Dog by Sharon Creech? It’s a short novel in verse about a boy who struggles with writing poetry and totally adores his dog, Sky. I think it might speak to you just now.
Thank you, Katie. No, I haven’t read it and I definitely need something to “speak” to me. You are so kind.
Felicity, I am so sorry. I’ve sat here and struggled with words, only to find that there are none. We have two dogs we love dearly and we, like you, used to make fun of people like us.
) I understand the pain of loss, even the loss of your family dog. Love is love. We’ll be praying for all of you.
“My goal in life is to be the person that my dog thinks I am.”
Part of being “Mama” is fixing the boo boos and soothing the hurts. One of my least favorite parts of being a mom is feeling helpless when the boo boos are bigger I can fix. I’m so sorry that you couldn’t fix Chuck and that your hearts are hurting. I’m praying for you, and for all the other “stuff” that led up to the last straw.
A car ran over my puppy early on in my married days. We had that puppy for 2 weeks and I cried almost constantly for three days. Poochie, our terrier, is 10 years old and I will not even try not to pretend I will be strong when her time comes. I understand where you are coming from and am sorry you guys have to go through this.
What a sweet picture of the family. I know I’ve said it in person, but I just wanted to say it again here . . .I’m so so sorry about Chuck. And my heart hurts just thinking about all of you. I know you will mend, I just wish mending wasn’t needed. But, I know wishing won’t help, so I’ll pray for all of you to heal from this! I love you all!
My heart is grieving with you. We have no pets now, but I will never forget Lulubelle, Eva Jean’s dog, and how she died. It took weeks for us to get over it, and yes, we cried, too. I don’t know if you have access to Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven, but if you do he devotes ten pages to animals and pets and points out that pets have souls, according to Scripture. Your Grandma Nickerson has a copy of that book. This might be a good time to borrow it. He answers the following questions: Will animals inhabit the new earth? Do animals have souls? Why did God save animals from the flood? What does God show us about animals’ importance? How will people and animals relate? Will animals praise God? Will we see God’s attributes in animals? Will animals, including pets, live again? How closely are animals tied to our own resurrection? Is it wrong to grieve a Pet’s Death? What future is God planning for animals? Might some animals talk?
Uncle Paul, this is so helpful! Thank You! I’m going to go see if we have that book in the Bible College library right now.
Oh, man, I’m so sorry. Pets have this funny way or working their little furry selves into our hearts, don’t they? I’ve been there, and remember people making light of my grief, and that just burns. Sure, a dog is not a person, but it still hurts like heck. I’m sorry for your loss.
Felicity, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your dog. I too used to be one of those unaware people who didn’t get the love and loss of a pet. Our neighbor’s dog passed away the evening after Memorial Day. I still can’t talk or think about Sampson without tearing up. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.