Although Asa and I had a lot of tail wagging moments this year, 2016 was also very difficult for us. We said goodbye to too many dear friends and family members with four legs and two, who went ahead to the end of the trail. Too many to write a proper tribute to all of them individually, and too impersonal to simply make a list. But they know in our hearts they are deeply missed, and will always be remembered. There are though three dear loved ones that we’d like to pause to remember as 2016 comes to a close.
Born on the darkest day, the Winter Solstice, Momma Butter brought so much light and love into the world. It is Momma Butter who made Mom and Dad a family, with the birth of our Lemmy. Mom and Dad still treasure the memory of that first day they met Momma Butter, and her sweet soul as the rest of her family competed for their attention. The perfect role model of what a Golden Retriever should be and always the doting mother, we will be forever grateful for her guiding presence in our lives. It brings us great comfort knowing that Momma Butter and Lemmy are together again.
Our kitty cousin Misty had a tough exterior. She would silently watch our antics, scowling with disapproval and occasionally hissing at us. But deep down I know she loved us. Visiting Pepere and Babci will not be the same without her taunting us to chase her, and inevitably getting us into trouble. Christmas was a particularly fun time with Misty because she enjoyed hiding amongst the gifts, and knew just when to jump out and surprise us. Her timing was impeccable, even if Asa didn’t always notice her. I’m so glad that she was able to spend time at my favorite lake before she crossed rainbow bridge.
Saying goodbye to Grandpa was the most difficult. Mom’s Dad was our best friend. Despite being a human, Grandpa would get right down on the floor with us and wrestle! The four paws on the floor rule never applied when he was around. In fact, the entire rule book was tossed when we were with Grandpa, which often ended with both us and Grandpa in a time out from Mom! His favorite picture was this one of Lemmy and me on his lap. He carried a copy in his wallet and would proudly show everyone his “Grandsons.” By the time Asa joined our family Grandpa couldn’t wrestle with us. But Asa and I would snuggle up to him, while Mom told him about our latest adventures. Even in his final weeks when we couldn’t visit, Grandpa would light right up when he saw Mom and would immediately ask, “how’s the doggies?” Oh how he would laugh when he heard the silly things Asa did, and he was always so proud of me! Grandpa was our biggest fan, and we were his as well. We were so blessed to have him in our lives.
Emily Dickinson once wrote, “Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” We take great comfort knowing that Momma Butter, Misty, and Grandpa will live on forever in our hearts and in the memories we share, and will be there to greet us when we reach the end of the trail. If you said goodbye to a cherished loved one this year, you have our deepest condolences. But know that they will always live on in the hearts of those who loved them.
