Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Heart Dog Sisterhood

The hot lick of pain comes at both expected and unexpected moments as my life goes on without my heart dog, Lucy.  Some mornings I wake thinking this must all have been a bad dream.  Then I reach down beside me... and there's no Lucy.

You know what I mean.

I know you know what I mean because so many of you have written kind comments on this blog or Facebook, sent me messages and wonderful sympathy e-cards, and even published a tribute to my girl.  And, as I was trying to write a thank you note to the later, it felt to me like we are members of a very special group:  those who have found - and, for some of us, lost - our heart dogs.

Like you, my dogs are not "just dogs."  Far from it.  They are beloved family members.

In my case, I've had a dog since I was in the womb.  I've never been dogless.  (And I don't ever want to be.)  Each of my dogs is collection of stories to tell about their own unique spirits and our slice of life adventures together.  There will be quite a crowd when I cross that Rainbow Bridge and my heart swells with love when I think about seeing them again.

If the dogs in my life are apples, my heart dog is an orange.  All are fruit, but they are not the same.  If you don't understand that, you've not had that special connection yet.  You'll know it when you have that once in a lifetime dog, that furry canine soul mate.

In my case I knew it from the very beginning.  It's hard to put into words, but I felt a deep connection with Lucy immediately.  That connection only grew into something more wonderful each and every day.

That's Lucy in my business logo and she is the dog in For Love of a Dog.  The heart in her mouth?  She gave me her heart.  And I gave my heart to her.

11 comments:

  1. That is just so beautiful and explains our dog soul mates perfectly! In April of this year it will be 2 years since I lost mine and it was harder than any loss I have experienced in my life. Some people find this hard to understand, but obviously they have not known the love of a dog soul mate! My heart bleeds for you!

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    1. I completely understand how you feel. Those who don't simply have not been blessed with a heart dog.

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  2. That was a lovely tribute written to Lucy and you Sue; I think the greatest tribute to Lucy is how you keep reaching out to help other dogs. I'm certain that Lucy is very, very proud that you are her person and she will be patiently waiting for you.

    chris

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    1. Thanks, Chris. Lucy spent her whole life waiting patiently to see what we were going to do next. :-)

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  3. I pray that you keep Lucy as your logo. I don't think you are thinking of changing it but in case you are, please keep Lucy there. Lucy is also the heart of what you do (I believe)...she may be physically gone, but her spirit will remain with you always.
    (((((hugs)))))))))

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    1. Absolutely! Lucy will remain in my logo and in my heart.

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  4. Woof! Woof! Very Nice. Totally understand on how you feel. Precious Lucy will be remembered forever. Sending you Lots of Golden LOVE. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  5. I agree about the sisterhood - and the apples and oranges analogy. I've experienced it with Molly (and Jon Farleigh and I have something different, too, although not quite the same as with Molly - I think it could be because he's male). I've also had a heart cat (before Molly came along). Buster, in fact, was not only my feline soul mate, but before he passed several years ago, was even Molly's best animal friend. He loved every creature I loved. :) How blessed we've all been.

    You and yours continue to be in my thoughts.

    (OOOOOO)

    Elizabeth

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    1. I've wondered about the female/male thing. I thought my dog Bennie (years ago) was my heart dog... until I met Lucy. And I've had the blessing of a heart horse with whom I had a magical connection. Not a day goes by without my thinking of her and I suspect the same will be true with Lucy. It's hard to put into words so that someone who has not experienced this very special connection can understand. It's life changing and life enriching. Thanks, Elizabeth.

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    2. Hi Sue: I am so sorry. I have my once in a lifetime dog right now, happily not yet two years old. I dread the day I lose him and do not know what will get me up in the morning after that. Hopefully, other dogs. I understand. I am glad she is getting such nice recognition, all the best, Kathy

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