Just a super-short post today: My family is mourning the sudden loss of my sister’s husband, Dean. Yes, this is the family with three noisy little dogs, who have been Otto’s go-to dog-sitters since they moved to my town about five years ago. Otto loved and is going to miss his time on the sofa with Dean, enjoying hours of TV-watching and distracted petting.
Our hearts break for Dean’s loss, but our grief is nothing compared to my sister’s. She and Dean were a match, 28 years married (no kids) and still passionate about each other.
While all three of her dogs are barky and I find two of them to be whiny and neurotic, always clinging to my sister’s skirts, at the moment, I am just so thankful for their clinginess. She needs all the love (and even the distraction of barking) that they have to offer right now. She reports that they are all very lost, looking for their Dad, and in their confusion, are spending all their time underfoot or, when in bed, under the covers with her. She can’t even roll over without moving their little bodies first; they all want to be touching her right now.
I never anticipated saying this, but at the moment I am grateful that they are so demanding. They BARK when they want food and BARK for play and BARK to go for a walk. These demands will help my sister get out of bed and get outside. I hope she will eat when she feeds them. That’s enough to expect for now.
I spent days at the hospital with Dean and was with him when he passed. When I got home, I needed (and a week later, continue to need) to spend long moments with my face buried in Otto’s grass-scented, scruffy mane, feeling his tail gently wagging. And when yet another kind comment on Dean’s death announcement online makes me start crying again, Woody always seems to notice and gets up to shove his nose under my elbow, insistent with concern.
I don’t know what any of us would do without dog love.
I am so sorry for the loss of you and your family, Nancy. When we feel totally lost, our dogs seem to offer us the gentlest path we can follow.
Many western religions teach us that angels have two wings. I hope that they have 4 paws, too! Our furry friends give so much to us, in both good times and bad. Sending condolences to both you and your sister.
My heart goes out to your sister and to you for your loss. Death is a bitter enemy that cuts to the very core of our being.
May you find comfort and peace through your faith and prayer. Our Dogs are a gift from God. They bring us solace in ways that can only be understood and appreciated by those who love them and whom they love. Continue burying your face in Otto’s fur and accepting Woody’s care. Dogs seem to know when we need them most.
My heart goes out to you and your sister. Our dogs are our rock when we need them most.
Nancy, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. May all the wonderful memories of him help comfort your family, along with the love of those precious pups!
There are no words that can heal, but may time and happy memories blunt the sharp pangs of grief. We completely need external motivation at times like these; may love of friends, family, and dogs lift you up.
As hard as the death of a loved one is on us humans, I believe it is twice as hard on our fur babies. If they don’t know their family member passed away, they must think they’ve been abandoned by that person. My family has been told to make sure my dogs see my dead body so they understand that they weren’t abandoned by me but that I died. I sure hope the mortuary that handles me understands and grants my wish.
Sendingheartfelt condolenses to your family. Prayers that beautiful memories will help to heal your hearts
So sorry for your loss. My husband died suddenly in his sleep in 2019. I don’t know how I would have gotten through those first few months without my two German Shepherds. They kept me sane and I tried to make sure my female was okay too. She was her daddy’s girl. Is it any wonder that dog spelled backwards is God? I think not.
I recently lost my 17 year old poodle, Juliet, to kidney failure. She was a therapy dog for Phoenix Children’s Hospital
for 10 + years. The same month (April 2021), I lost my 14 year old poodle, Raven, to congestive heart failure.
My 6 year old poodle, Dove, also a current therapy dog for Phoenix Children’s Hospital grieved Juliet and Raven with
me.
A friend gifted me a 6 year old poodle, Angel, after Juliet and Raven passed. Angel has helped Dove and I
through this grieving period . She has lifted our spirits so much. This just goes to show that other canines can
help humans and other canines through losses as well. Angel is a true angel sent to us from Heaven during
this tough time.
We are also so very sorry for you and your sister’s loss. Our prayers are with you both.