A bright day, a dark task
Bright sunshine conceals a dark day. Birds sing and angry drivers toot, oblivious to the mood. I can just about hear the babble of the infants in the playground like a faraway brook. Life is all around. Blue skies, warm sun, the world is on its head today. It is not a day to die.
It is not your choice, but it is your time. The vet has been dispatched, the first tears have been shed, and goodbyes are yet to come. The power of the gods is in our hands. Destiny sits next to you. You lie powerless in this storm.
The long goodbye
The long goodbye we give all our dogs is to begin this hour, yet you know nothing of our pain. For you, this is just another glorious spring day with the promise of a walk. The irony is that your spirit is that of a happy pup. It is the body that has failed you, as it must for all dogs.
There is no fairness to be found in any of this. Promises are broken. Mother Nature is a heartless bitch. But I promise you will never be forgotten. And so, you will die twice.
A candle has been lit. Prayers have been said. And by this point, you are probably dead. So goodbye to you, Wilfie, last of the gang. A good boy to the end. We could all see you loved Gretel. I have a secret: she loved you too.
A twist in the tale
However, it seems the reports of your death are greatly exaggerated. The grapevine says that as soon as you saw the needle, you made a miraculous recovery and started to walk. A small miracle. A final stand.
Which is the perfect way to end a perfect day. It was just too fine a day to die. But even though we know what to expect, when that day comes, it will be just as unexpected, just as raw. Perhaps it will rain, as it should.
It did not rain today, but that did not stop the deluge.
One last bark
What’s it they say, of mice and men? It was a blistering hot day, but it would have been cool when you slipped away, in your sleep. Ah, what doggy dreams would you have had? About four in the morning, before sunrise and near the coldest point of the day. I pray it was peaceful.
We had only seen you a few days before, and I knew then that the end was close.
You barked at us in your cheerful way and wobbled off up the path. But before you went, we gave you a cuddle and a stroke, and I said goodbye.
You were stubborn. You were proud. You were ours.
To all the good dogs
I know it will not feel like it yet, but Alan and Gail hit the doggy jackpot with the blessed escape that all dog owners dream of.
If you do it right, having a dog will break your heart. So, once again, our hearts are broken.
In loving memory of Wilf, who passed this day,
12th May 2025.
We will miss him as we miss them all.
To all our dogs who have gone before.
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