Thank you all so much for your kind words. I know everyone has been through this same situation or worse with pets or family and i appreciate you sharing your experiences. I have been lucky in that i have never had to experience the loss of family or a dog yet but now that i am facing it i'm trying to be philosophical about the whole thing.
I always thought that she would just slowly wind down with old age and she would let me know when she was ready, and i would let her go peacefully when the time came. She's only 11 this year though, i always thought i would have at least another few years with her.
I adore her, she is my world, we go on holiday together and when i am apart from her or overseas i always wonder if she is okay without me. Whenever i catch her eyes i know she is wondering what i'm doing (and not patting her instead!) and when she is lying happily nearby as i do my housework i know she is just waiting to jump to her feet and follow me to the next job. Whenever i am paying attention to my snakes, the rodents, or one of my other hobbies she will always try to butt in and see what's going on. In the past when i have raised baby rats for pets she has always let them crawl all over her and even treats them like little pups. She has always been the mumma dog in the house, our other dogs were always treated like her own puppies with her cleaning their faces and putting them back in line when they were naughty.
We can lay for hours in the sun while i brush her coat, she loves to fall asleep while i make her look her best. Except when it's bath day of course, she always mysteriously dissappears whenever it's time for a bath...
Oh my funny little old lady, what am i going to do without you? I have no idea how long she has left yet, she is still in good health and spirits as always but i guess we'll have to play it by ear.
I have always wanted to get a tattoo of her or her name, now is the time i guess. Her name is Stardust (but everyone just calls her Star) so i am thinking of getting the outline of a little star (or the 'stardust' around the star, get me?) done behind my right ear. Possible also the phrase
Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero somewhere. Anyone with ink here know if you can get gold/ish tattoo ink?
As for all the advice on making the best of what time we have left, of course! We all know the tragedy that is the short life of a dog, i have every intention of spending what time i can doing everything we love. There will be many days spent at various dog beaches this summer i think!
Now, not that i support PETA but i was sent this link not two weeks ago, timing eh?
Seize the Day! | PETA.org i think it's a good read to make people appreciate what they've got at the time.
