There’s a blog post, one that made me laugh silly, of George & Amy’s greyhounds Giving a T. I’ve smiled thinking of it occasionally over the past 4 years, and I’ve been following Nigel and Mookie (and George & Amy’s blogs) ever since. Yesterday, they had to let Mookie go, the most painful and loving thing we can do for our animals when that time comes.
The internet is slower place today. Rest in peace, Mookie.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
A Native American friend of mine once told me we all have spirit guides to help us through this life and occasioanlly they manifest themselves to us as a particular kind of animal, sort of a personal talisman, or maybe good luck charm. Those of us lucky enough to be watched over by greyhounds know that when one leaves, another will come. Still, losing such a friend leaves a bruise on our souls that seldom fully heals.
Fred
Amen, Ironicus. Your friend’s words really resonate with me. My first grey, Zephyr, (actually a whippet/grey) was like a familiar spirit. She led us to greyhounds and they’ve watched over us ever since.
They are so easy to love, and it’s so damn hard to lose them. My heart always breaks a bit for people when they lose their dogs – I guess I re-live my own losses a little.
I’ve definitely found that for me, the best healing for my soul is opening my heart to another. But I think there’s a scar left behind each time you lose one of these beautiful creatures – a scar you desperately hate having at first, and then through time, becomes a gentle reminder of all the joy you had, up until the day you got it.
I know what you mean. It always takes me down that very painful road. You’re right about the scars. There are certain teeth marks on furniture and Christmas ornaments too that have a similar effect 🙂
Call me crazy (you wouldn’t be the first), but each of our greys has somehow channeled a unique habit/trait of the dog we lost before them.
For instance, our Rottie Katie always laid on the carpet runner just outside of our kitchen, to keep an eye on us, and was sure to know when we were preparing their breakfast or dinner. She was the only dog to ever do that.
When we let Katie go, Taylor joined our family, and she did the exact same thing the first few months we had her. After that, she stopped, and no other dog has ever done it.
Bounty was our second adopted greyhound, who we adopted at age 12 and lost six months later, at age 13. Our funniest memories of him are related to his love of beverages – coffee and alcohol, specifically. In fact, one of his 13th birthday presents was my sharing my Sierra Nevada Pale Ale with him (I know, bad mom).
After we let him go and we brought Flex home, we discovered that Flex is the exact same way about our drinks. We can never leave our glasses of wine or beer unattended! None of our other dogs have done this – Katie, Condor, Clutter, Taylor and Maddox have all been completely uninterested.
Anyway, I don’t believe in reincarnation. (I don’t believe in much, for that matter.) But it has been, consistently, a weird phenomenon in our home that a very unique characteristic of each dog we’ve lost has been reproduced by the next dog we brought home – and only that dog.
Yeah, I’m crazy.
Going to bed now.
🙂
Okay, one more thought.
What is UP with my avatar? I did NOT choose it – it looks like a little green booger with legs!!
I swear, I do not look like a little green booger with legs (at least, I hope not).
Just for the record…
Thank you, James.
Thanks. Mooks will be greatly missed.
Of course, George and Amy. I know how this is and how much you guys miss him.