Just a Dog

Lucy, me, Abbey, and Lily

Just a Dog
In my mind I'm thinking about beloved pets specifically dogs. Remember your childhood days? Were you lucky enough to have a family pet? If you didn't, I can honestly say you missed a lot of love. I have always loved animals and much to my mother's dismay brought several home as a child. I got it honest. My father was worse than me for having a soft spot for animals. It makes complete sense that I follow in his footsteps. Pets are just extended family according to Sal the Animal Loving Gal.

I remember each and every pet I've ever had. I remember the antics of begging my mom to let them stay. Of course, she always did. She always made sure each animal was cared for when I was too busy being a kid. Thank God for mothers.

Do I have favorites? Well, each pet has its own special personality and trait. I can't say that some were better. They all have a special place in my heart. Each one gave me companionship and joy. There were different pets in different seasons and each shared my life as a outside-loving, adventuresome girl. Oh, the places we did go! I know I always had a best friend by my side.

This year I've had to say goodbye to two of my beloved dogs. It's taken me almost six months to pen the words. To give a proper tribute to these two special girls Lily and Lucy has been so hard. My mop-topped Lucy came to me one Valentine's Day as a gift to keep me moving. My body was weakening from atrophy and I had no clue how devastating this disease would be. Instead of running, she and I walked. I know we walked many miles over her 13 too short years. My big, beloved, stinky sheepdog never wavered. She watched me go from running, walking, hobbling with a cane, and finally to a wheelchair. When my walking days were over, I rolled in my scoot with her faithfully on my left side. Some days we just sat looking into the sky. We were both too tired and our bodies slowing down. She started struggling to walk as I rolled only one mile. I would say, "Good girl Lucy Seuss. Let's just head home." Then came the struggling to get up. Her hips were worn out. I would pet her and say, "I feel your pain sweet girl." Then the day came when she was to cross over rainbow bridge. I couldn't beg her to stay in such a worn-out body. There is not hospice care or motorized wheelchairs for our fur babies. We had lived a beautiful season together so I told her, "I'll meet you on the other side. We will have a good long walk. You are my Lucy in the Sky now."

My hard headed cross between Willie Nelson and a basset hound Lily left me in January. She had more issues than Reader's Digest and more road miles touring than Waylon, Wille, and the Boys. She was literally know in our Tri-County Area. Everyone knew and loved our Lily. She frequented the pound. They would just call and say, "Sarah, Lily is here." We would bust her out. Remember those long wooded paths we walked? Well, one led to a little country store called "Countryside Grocery." As the crow flies, it was less than 1,000 feet from my house. What do hounds do? Follow their noses! She became pals with the local farmers. When I left for work at 7 AM, she did, too. She ate breakfast with the farmers for a decade. Farmers brought her home after her day at the store. The owners let her stay till closing and then brought her home. We tried everything to keep her here, but she was everyone's dog. Then like all good things, they end. The store was bought by a Dollar General chain. Talk about convenience. There was a lot more convenience for Our Lily. There are automated doors and pig ears on the bottom shelves. Doggy heaven, right? She had a running tab at the "Gentral." She was one of the best actors. She could rival Morgan Freeman. She could have won an Oscar. She was given treats galore. I just chuckle. She was Facebook famous. People would post look at this poor basset at the Dollar General. People would tag me and reply, "That's Sarah's dog." What a life this girl of ours lived. It was a dream life for a basset. Such personality this girl had. There will never be another Lily. My daughter is still grieving but she's college bound and Lily was to be our last basset. Maybe one day she'll have her own "Lily." I could fill volumes with "Lily Tales." She loved me ferociously. She would always nudge and lick my immobile feet because I couldn't bear hug her anymore. When we met the neighborhood bully Pit bull, Pokey, she would race to my rescue putting herself between Pokey and my wheelchair. Once Pokey got my foot, but Lily backed her off and we escaped. I'm crying again as I type. We shared such beautiful times. When I took her for her first vet visit with Lucy, my vet said don't be surprised if Lily is your alpha. She was and I love and miss her so much. She died a rainy Wednesday night in my friend's yard. She was traveling with the latest stray that was dropped at the Dollar General. I came home from youth group and my boys were muddy and sad. They had put her to rest by my pink rose bush. They knew I would be inconsolable to see her lifeless.

Lily and Lucy are at rest side by side in my flower garden. I will be scattered there with them one day. My kids know I want to be free to romp in my garden with them and feed my flowers. Now our herd consists of Daisy May the Stray and Dolly. Both of these girls were dumped out. Dolly came from the Dollar General about a month before Lily left us. Hence her name Dolly General. Daisy was dropped at a relative's house and Lily talked her into jumping in my SUV 8 years ago. The rest is history,

Are they just dogs? I don't think so. They are part of our singing, dancing, mourning, and living. Both of my sons assured me I had given them a great life as I wept for days. I think so, too. I know because my heart wouldn't hurt so.
RIP to my girls.

Sarah Anderson Alley
Sal the Dog Loving Gal

Quote of the Day:
"When we adopt a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good reason: They bring so much joy and optimism and happiness. They attack every moment of every day with that attitude."
Bruce Cameron