A Good Girl

Our life, at Dogs R Us, is all about the critters. 

This is Noella, in her younger years, 

when I so often walked her and Pup at Stamp Falls. 

Pup didnt get along with other dogs very well. 

But he and Noey enjoyed their walks together, in the years 

when neither he nor she had other siblings.

She was named Noella because she was a Christmas puppy.

My sister Lori adopted her when she lived up north.

They were both happy to come home to the Island in 2000

when Noey was a seven month old puppy. 

Noey was always a good girl. She enjoyed her life on the farm,

had no health issues, and came into her own as the elder sibling 

when first Lukey, and then Blakey, joined the family.

This frequently resulted in a dog-jam,

when we were throwing kongs at the park

Noey slowed down somewhat in recent years,

yet remained spry and limber, and enjoyed her daily walks 

until the very last walk of the very last day when, 

for the first time, ever, she was unable to go.

We think she suffered a stroke, as her left front gave out on her.

She lay still through the long night, as her breathing slowed.

Yesterday the vet eased her passing,

after fourteen good years of living.

It was as peaceful a passing as one could wish for for a beloved dog.

Today is the third year since Pup's death,

and I had not expected to be dealing with two deaths this week.

But this is the way of life, especially when one loves dogs.

There are too many painful goodbyes.

Yet we would not be without them.

When I had a moment alone with her, I whispered to her

to say hi to Pup for me, when she gets to Heaven.

It's good to know she'll have someone she knows up there.

Noey, you were a good girl,

and we will miss you.