This is a bittersweet ending rather than a "Happy Ending." But it is the end of a wonderful story that began 9 years ago at the old TJ O'Connor pound in Chicopee, MA. It ended last night out here on Cape Cod after a brief but valiant fight with a fast-growing, inoperable tumor. My husband and I wouldn't have traded these years with Murphey for anything in the world, even knowing the pain that we feel today. Go give your dog a hug. Take him for an extra walk. Give him a special treat. Find that spot that makes his hind leg go nuts. You truly never know what tomorrow might bring.
"In the whole history of the world there is but one thing that money can not buy -- to wit, the wag of a dog's tail." -Josh Billings
Murphey
Murphey was a good dog. He loved life with a whole-hearted energy that was a lesson to all of us. Everybody who knew him loved him. He was the kind of dog that made people want to go out and get their own dog. Murph was truly one in a million; irreplaceable. My angel dog was always there watching over me, and even though he was never tested I felt safe with him around. Sometimes he ate cat poo and got into the kitchen garbage. Once he ate over a pound of Easter chocolates. There were times when he wouldn't come when called. But he always looked so guilty afterwards that I couldn't stay mad at him.
I still believe he understood almost everything we said to him. I hope he understood why we had to say goodbye. Murphey loved catching frisbees, fetching balls, swimming, romping with his beagle buddy Spenser, hiking in the woods, playing "I have a stick and you don't," grooming Hadley the cat, rolling around in smelly things, begging for table scraps, and his squeaky plastic hamburger he got as a puppy. And he loved the people in his life unconditionally. He didn't care what clothes you wore, if you couldn't toss a tennis ball more than two feet, if you were in a bad mood, or if you were incapable of throwing a Frisbee straight. We were all so lucky to have known that kind of love.
He had a beautiful spirit that you could see shining out of his eyes. It was there nine years ago, making him stand out in a pound full of dogs. And when that light was gone we knew that it was time to let him go, even though it feels like it was too soon. But there will never be a good time to lose a friend like him. There are not enough words to describe the ache inside knowing he won't be there at the door when we get home from work, ever again.
Murphey was a good dog, and he will be missed.
What a beautiful eulogy. I know that dogs understand what we say to them and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
Posted by: jan | October 23, 2008 at 05:30 PM
What a beautiful eulogy. I know that dogs understand what we say to them and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
Posted by: jan | October 23, 2008 at 05:30 PM