A tribute to an old dog. by Dan Geist

A tribute to an old dog.

by Dan Geist

April 7, 2005 A tribute to an old dog... When you gaze deep into a dogs eyes, you can see the devotion they have for their human companions. When we spend any time with them, we soon learn that they will do anything for us. I have heard people speak of the unconditional love our canine companions have for us. I have been very fortunate in my life to experience it. This has been an emotionally horrible week. The part of life that no one wants invaded last Saturday. I lost a friend. She was kind and gentle and loving and left huge holes in several hearts. She gave so much while she was here My mind knows that it was time for her to go quietly on to her next home and her passing was a natural progressionbut my heart will hurt for a long time. She can never be replaced. Eventually, the raw wounds will heal and we will be able to speak lovingly and without tears of the good times and some of the silly things that were funny or aggravating. For now, the prevailing thought is about how much we miss her and the constant wishing we could do something, anything to get her back. And the guilt of thinking there was more we could have should have didnt wanted towished Loss this great is overwhelming and we look for a reason to justify something anything We know we cant find the answers but we will continue to look and second-guess ourselves perhaps forever. There are dreaded questions I still ask and the enlightening answers never come. I pray that when my time comes, there are those around me who will understand what is best for me and act accordingly instead of doing what is best for them. The selfless act of letting go and losing a precious gift is perhaps the hardest decision we have to make for our canine companions. I hope I will be treated with half the compassion and love I saw given to a wonderful old dog. There is some comfort in the Rainbow Bridge story. I like to think that my friends are there and happy and will be waiting for me when I arrive. It gives me some contentment to think that they arent alone and they can play together. In my mind, I can see them I hope that they can see me. I cant imagine something so strong as the love that was shared here ever ending. Something that powerful simply cannot stop. It is as necessary as food or water or air. Sadly for us though, that kind of unrestricted love resides within the giver. I know she will give it again, but for now, it was taken away from all of the earthly recipients when she left. I think that is why we hurt so much when we they go. The absolute devotion is so wonderful and so much a part of them that when it is taken away, we suddenly feel the great and devastating loss of a true and purely exquisite thing. The anguish is indescribable and as real as any mortal wound. As they slip away, we realize that there is something irreplaceable going with them. It is something that we cant buy and it is different with each one of them. As they leave, our hearts are close to breaking because we recognize that there is a condition and a price we pay for being the object of their devotion. They cannot continue to love us the same way. Their love goes with them and only the memory of it remains with us. And our hearts will ache until it is given again.

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Dan Geis