Today is Good Friday, and although it falls on a different date each year my family will always associate it with the loss of our dear Lemmy.  Although my parents did not intentionally pick that date, after a brave battle with Cushing’s Disease, we said goodbye to Lemmy on Good Friday.  His disease had progressed to the point where it was selfish for us to continue treatments.  So Mom and Dad took that week out of work, and spent it with Lemmy doing what he loved.  Despite his pain, being the devoted Golden Retriever that he was, he participated with as much enthusiasm and energy as he could muster.  I was still young and naive then, so I didn’t understand what was going on, only that on these special outings Mom and Dad would take turns quietly sitting with Lemmy while I would romp and play.

Then Friday came, and Lemmy surprised us all by leading us on one last adventure walk in the woods.  He knew that day was special, even if I did not.  Then that evening, at home surrounded by his loving family, Lemmy left us.  Goodbye my dear big brother, we will meet you at the end of the trail someday.

“…Goodbye, sweet day, goodbye!

All thy rich gifts my grateful heart remembers…”

~ Celia Thaxter, 1896