01.22.13
Today was a hard day, but we will always be grateful for the five years we had with Oliver. He was and is, my first dog. And my first experience with truly unselfish love. He lived to be a part of our family, and his sweet gift to us will never be forgotten.
Today, we tried to make him as comfortable as possible, love him, and convey just how much it has meant to have him be in our family. Lucy told Oliver stories about doggies that felt happy and not sick any more. She told me not to cry, she promises it will be okay.
It already feels lonely, without his loud tail thump, and happy face to greet us. If you have ever had a pet, I think you know what today was for us. Scott always told me I’d have a really hard day in twelve years, but today we had a really hard one in five. Life isn’t always fair, but we are forever grateful that we chose this dog, the one that constantly got stopped for his handsome doggy looks, and happy, sweet personality. Five years ago, on Valentine’s day, I gave Scott our sweet Ollie, and our life hasn’t been the same since.
Love, Lindsey
2 COMMENTS | UNDER: personal
I was looking at your blog because my daughter is in search of a photographer for her wedding but your sweet and tender entry about your dog caught my eye. We said good-bye to our golden retriever two years ago and his passing was also premature, at five years old. It was the most difficult day. He was my son’s dog and he died of kidney failure three months into his service as an LDS missionary in Italy. It was hard on all of us, but most difficult for him since he was so far away. We now have have a new golden retriever and while he is similar in size and color, he is completely different in temperament. We love him as well, but we still miss our Riley. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family at this time.
Camille Mendel
Thank you Camille! That was so sweet of you. It was a sad, sad, day for us, my first experience with losing a pet. We aren’t getting a new dog, because we have a newborn right now, but I wonder if it would be a bit bittersweet for us. But it is still sad, not to have another creature to love around here! My husbands mission was in Italy too! That would be so hard to be away. Thank you so much for commenting!