Hello Pet Loving Ladies!
MISS WINNIE SHOWING OFF HER VERY CHIC SUMMER CUT!
I have had quite the dog experiences the past couple of days and I thought I would share them with you. I was reading a terrific book Thursday night and towards the end, the woman’s dog dies. It comes totally by surprise as the topic of the book is not really about her dog. I won’t tell you the name of the book because I don’t want to ruin the ending for you, but I will put it in my reading lists sometime soon.
As I got to the last pages, I started crying. And then the crying got worse. It is always so sad when a pet dies and this was a powerful story. But I think I was crying more out of the knowledge that my little Winnie is 11 years old and will someday die. I just can’t bear it.
I had 5 or 6 used balled up tissues next to my bed by the time the hubby came to bed. He plopped in bed as he usually does, like a tall redwood tree falling in the forest – TIMBER. It is quite a site. I snuggled up next to him and told him that I finished my book and about the dog dying. He consoled me eventhough I’m sure he was thinking how silly and emotional women are. “I don’t know if I can handle it when Winnie dies,” I said. He just pats me on the arm. “I’m really serious,” I continue. “I really don’t know what I will do.” The hubby says “Well, you’ll still have me.” I know he was just trying to say that he will be here to console me when it happens but I just looked at him and said “Yeah, but you’re not Winnie.”
It is a funny, harsh and true statement. My husband is not my dog. For anyone who has ever had a pet, the bond and love is really amazing. And totally different from a child. The child will eventually talk back and communicate and be able to go to the bathroom by herself and feed herself. A pet will never ever be able to do these things without your help. They are dependent upon you for their entire lives. My little Winnie has been the light of my life since the day we stole her from the grimy mechanic’s lot – yes I did.
Winnie will die and I will have to live through it and move on and that is a terrifying thought. But that’s reality. By the way, you know how people say that a pet knows when you’re upset, they come and console you or just lay beside you? Not my Winnie! She wants nothing to do with all that emotional hoopla. If you start crying, she is out of that room in a flash. She doesn’t like noise – a mere sneeze will send her bolting for the other room. It’s hilarious because I feel embarrassed in front of my dog when I cry. She looks at me like “Oh, stop this nonsense!” and then walks away. She is such an old wasp that way – uncomfortable with emotion.
I was also particularly distraught because Winnie has been having some stomach issues the past few days. Winnie was born with a sensitive stomach – she gets it from me, and anything can set it off. Remember my bathroom massacre story?! So, we have been dealing with lovely diarrhea and all sorts of gory things since the 4th of July. Yup – right in the middle of the parade crowd, my dog had a diarrhea attach. Classy huh? Poor Winnie. So, I have been feeling ultra-sensitive because when she isn’t feeling well, it reminds me that she is 11 years old and no spring chicken. And I get upset.
Miss Winnie after the "incident" at the 4th of July parade
I decide it’s time for the vet and go to a new one that my neighbor recommended who literally saved her cat’s life. I had still been going to the vet in L.A., whom I loved. Still clinging to my L.A. life I guess. But it’s time for a local vet. We go Friday morning. It is a pleasant place with many dogs and cats and action going on. We sit down and wait. A man walks in with his cocker spaniel and he is standing there and all of a sudden, his dog takes a dump right there in the middle of the lobby. Ick. He goes to pick it up and I conveniently move to the other side of the room. I am now next to about 6 rambunctious children, ages from about 1 ½ to 11. They are having the time of their lives. Gotta love kids. A vet’s office is fun for them.
The kids all ask to pet Winnie and I say sure because Winnie likes kids when they give her attention, as long as they behave themselves and aren’t too loud. The eldest girl, about 11, is sitting next to me and she asks me if my dog is a chow mix. I reply “Why yes!” and we begin a conversation about our dogs. They have two dogs at the vet getting shots. She is a lovely girl and so sweet. She then says “This chair is the last place my dog sat before she died.” Oh. I already start to feel it in my chest – the book being so fresh in my memory. I ask her about her dog. She tells me that the dog was a chow mix and the best dog ever (of course). She tells me that she was 13 and they had to put her down. At that moment, I am looking right at her and her eyes glisten with held-back tears. “When was this?” I ask. “About three months ago.” Oh. There is nothing to say but “I am so sorry.” She is only 11 yet wise beyond her years when it comes to loving and losing a pet. If this young lady can get through it, then so shall I. She just gave me strength and doesn’t even know it.
We are called in to the exam room and the nice Japanese vet checks Winnie out. I start sweating. I can’t help it. I am always nervous at the doctor, even if it’s for my dog! Wimp wimp. She says everything looks fine and that Winnie might have a touch of colitis. Nothing to be alarmed about. Phew. She gives Winnie penicillin shot and pills for me to give her. That will be fun. Winnie detests taking pills. We go home and I give my little Winnie lots of love and kisses and then life continues as usual.
Oh the joys of pet ownership!! For all of you ladies who have a pet – go give it extra attention today. Why? Just because! And if you don’t have a pet, then find a friend’s pet and give it some love.
