I'm typing through tears at this beautiful tribute, and I'm always mystified by those who don't realize that our four-legged housemates are full-fledged members of the family. Thank you.
For those of us who have pets throughout our lives, phases of our lives becomes defined by our pets' lives, just like they do relationships. Daisy's "You dumbass, marry this awesome woman" story reminds me of my wife's cocker spaniel, who basically fell in love with me. Right after I moved in, every morning that I'd leave for work, he'd howl as if I was never coming home, and wouldn't stop until my wife got up and actually touched him to comfort him. He kept it up for a month.
Lovely, heartbreaking. The floods of memories it evokes: I've said goodbye to many a dog in a long life. They span back over decades. I used to swear, foolishly, when it was time to let one go, that I'd never get another: one human heart can only stand so much pain. But then another dog would walk in to fill that space. One dog, Elmo, walked in literally: she showed up on the back steps one bitter New Year's morning when it was 10 below: I opened the door, Elmo rushed in, ears cocked, tail wagging, saying, About time! it's cold out there! She was part of the family for nearly a decade. Eventually you master the art of goodbye: gently stroking an old friend as the drugs begin to pull them under, whispering, See you on the other side as the last light flickers out. In that moment, the tears could fill an ocean. But it was worth it.
So sweet and sad!! Yeah I love the human need to constantly wonder if your dog is a Genius or a total dummy. Riley doesn't know "sit." HOWEVER he cooks up complex scams to get more treats. He also operates a complex surveillance operation against his nemesis, the fucking Laberdoodle that has the gall to walk on the stretch of sidewalk that is Riley's property (Maybe the dog's a libertarian!)
Such a beautiful tribute to dogs in general and Daisy in particular. I'm still crying & I read this piece more than 2o minutes ago. We had a sweet, docile terrier mutt ,who followed us on a bike ride in Southern Indiana and said I'm going home with you, for 15 wonderful years. We now have a wild, high maintenance pit bull/cattle dog pup from the Humane society that greets us as if we have been gone for months when we return from the mailbox. We don't deserve dogs.
What a beautiful tribute, Radley. I just turned 70, and think I'm on my last rescue, Sparky. The strangest dog I've ever had. He loves both me and my wife, but he gets very jealous whenever we embrace. He has to get right in the middle of us. He barks and plays with his treats at times. And is a very good boy whenever we leave him alone for a while. Nothing like the unconditional love of a dog. Sparky says woof, Daisy.
Beautiful memoriam to Daisy. I remember the day she joined you, the move from DC to Nashville, the intro to your now wife, Liliana. Lots of time gone by, and Daisy was a constant. Daisy had a great life with your family, and she will be missed by many.
We're on our fifth and sixth rescue Border Collies/mixes and I would give all I own to have the other four back with us right now. I cried far harder and longer when my first, CoCo, passed almost exactly 10 years ago, than when my mother died. My sister, who's raised GSDs for 50+ years, told me it would be that way, and she was right. So incredibly sorry for your loss but so glad Daisy was with you for so long.
I'm typing through tears at this beautiful tribute, and I'm always mystified by those who don't realize that our four-legged housemates are full-fledged members of the family. Thank you.
Tears here, too.
For those of us who have pets throughout our lives, phases of our lives becomes defined by our pets' lives, just like they do relationships. Daisy's "You dumbass, marry this awesome woman" story reminds me of my wife's cocker spaniel, who basically fell in love with me. Right after I moved in, every morning that I'd leave for work, he'd howl as if I was never coming home, and wouldn't stop until my wife got up and actually touched him to comfort him. He kept it up for a month.
We've been together 25 years this Novermber.
May Daisy's memory be a blessing.
Lovely, heartbreaking. The floods of memories it evokes: I've said goodbye to many a dog in a long life. They span back over decades. I used to swear, foolishly, when it was time to let one go, that I'd never get another: one human heart can only stand so much pain. But then another dog would walk in to fill that space. One dog, Elmo, walked in literally: she showed up on the back steps one bitter New Year's morning when it was 10 below: I opened the door, Elmo rushed in, ears cocked, tail wagging, saying, About time! it's cold out there! She was part of the family for nearly a decade. Eventually you master the art of goodbye: gently stroking an old friend as the drugs begin to pull them under, whispering, See you on the other side as the last light flickers out. In that moment, the tears could fill an ocean. But it was worth it.
So sweet and sad!! Yeah I love the human need to constantly wonder if your dog is a Genius or a total dummy. Riley doesn't know "sit." HOWEVER he cooks up complex scams to get more treats. He also operates a complex surveillance operation against his nemesis, the fucking Laberdoodle that has the gall to walk on the stretch of sidewalk that is Riley's property (Maybe the dog's a libertarian!)
Ah Jesus man. I didn’t need this this morning. She was lucky to have you.
Such a beautiful tribute to dogs in general and Daisy in particular. I'm still crying & I read this piece more than 2o minutes ago. We had a sweet, docile terrier mutt ,who followed us on a bike ride in Southern Indiana and said I'm going home with you, for 15 wonderful years. We now have a wild, high maintenance pit bull/cattle dog pup from the Humane society that greets us as if we have been gone for months when we return from the mailbox. We don't deserve dogs.
Beautiful tribute.
Dogs understand the human heart and the human Spirit better than we humans do.
I always loved your story of Daisy watching for her friend out the window. Just a lovely essay.
What a beautiful tribute, Radley. I just turned 70, and think I'm on my last rescue, Sparky. The strangest dog I've ever had. He loves both me and my wife, but he gets very jealous whenever we embrace. He has to get right in the middle of us. He barks and plays with his treats at times. And is a very good boy whenever we leave him alone for a while. Nothing like the unconditional love of a dog. Sparky says woof, Daisy.
Beautiful memoriam to Daisy. I remember the day she joined you, the move from DC to Nashville, the intro to your now wife, Liliana. Lots of time gone by, and Daisy was a constant. Daisy had a great life with your family, and she will be missed by many.
This is beautiful, Radley. Thank you for sharing it with us. Love to you and your family.
Love the Andrew Wyeth in the last pic; Master Bedroom is one of my favorites, every dog owner needs a pic of theirs sleeping in front of one!
Thanks for sharing the photos and the stories, they are great to see. I’m sorry for your loss.
We're on our fifth and sixth rescue Border Collies/mixes and I would give all I own to have the other four back with us right now. I cried far harder and longer when my first, CoCo, passed almost exactly 10 years ago, than when my mother died. My sister, who's raised GSDs for 50+ years, told me it would be that way, and she was right. So incredibly sorry for your loss but so glad Daisy was with you for so long.
I am a sucker for a good pet reminiscence. The sorrow is in proportion to the undying love that our pets have for us.