"All that we deeply Love becomes a part of us."
Helen Keller
For Our Sweetie
It was known in my family that no one ever 'owned' animals but rather we merely shared the same roof with them. They were never expected to do anything or perform tricks but were just additional members of the family. It was no different when Cici (the name she came with), joined the family. In fact, from the moment she entered my Dad and his wife's lives from a rescue organization several years ago, she was 22 pounds of pure love, sweet joy, and incredible happiness.
From morning to night, she was a picture of happy excitement that simply made you smile, regardless of what else was happening in your life. You couldn't help but feel good when you were around her. She insisted on being recognized when you walked in the house and was vocal if you didn't stop and pet her right away, regardless of the packages or anything else you might be carrying. And whether you were gone only a few minutes or a few hours, you received the same exuberant 'welcome' as if you'd been gone days or several weeks, such was her joyous greeting. They say animals' concept of time is different than ours so perhaps that is true.
However, when we had a snack, she had a snack, when we ate, she ate, and so on. When we would gather and catch up on the events of the day, she would run into the bedroom and trot out bringing one of her favorite toys so that our attention would shift back to her, reminding us that she needed to be included as well.
From the very beginning, she and my Dad were joined at the hip for she insisted on going wherever he went. For all intents and purposes, they were together pretty much 24/7. She started his day by smiling at him from her bed on the floor beside his, and and ended his day by waiting for him to come and tuck her in for the night before she would go to sleep. To say they had an unbelievable 'bond' would be an under-statement. Since he has some serious health conditions, we often worried that she would be utterly and completely lost if something ever happened to him. Last week, fate stepped in and eliminated that worry.
We had noticed before the holidays that she just wasn't her usual perky self. Even on the morning walks I would take her on, she seemed to want to cut them short and just return home - very different from the many years she and my Dad (when he had been able) had roamed the woods for hours on end.
Shortly after that, she started acting as if something was bothering her physically so, of course, we took her to the vet. Long story short, we weren't satisfied with the first diagnosis so went for a second opinion. We came away with high hopes that with laser treatments and the right meds, she might resume a life without any pain though they doubted the spinal issue (perhaps an old injury from her former life) could ever be fully healed or corrected. Despite our optimism, however, she suddenly went downhill and last week, we had to love her enough, as she deserved, to make a decision that ensured she would be free of pain. So our little love made her transition across the rainbow bridge as they say.
Although we are relieved that she is now free of any pain or discomfort, it still feels like our hearts are breaking from missing her so much. Something everyone who has gone through this can understand for how can you not miss a loved one that represented the essence of unconditional love? One who was a constant companion, a true friend, and a source of incredible delight.
Yes, we know the intensity of the pain will ease with time. But a week or two is far too soon and I'd be lying if I said I don't still cry when I see her picture pop up on the computer screen or think I catch a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye. I still look for her in every room and around every corner waiting to see her joyous little face and hear her happy little greeting. The house feels incredibly lonely without her and looks terribly empty without her 4 beds, numerous afghans, her special ramp to the front window, her toys, her food dishes, food containers, holder for her carrots in the refrigerator, milk bone canister, her treats . . . and so forth.
So for this month's message, I thought I would honor Cici by sharing the simple, but nevertheless profound, things she taught about Love. I am sure that all of you who have been able to experience life with beloved animal friends know the following as well.
Greet your loved ones with joy.
Happiness is contagious and lifts your heart.
Feeling loved and special makes everything better.
Even an hour apart from a loved one can seem like a very long time.
Take every opportunity to let someone know how much they mean, life can be short.
Never be too busy to have playful moments with those you love.
Never allow anyone not to recognize and appreciate you; and lastly,
Giving and receiving love is ultimately all that really matters.
When animal friends share our lives, I know on the deepest of levels that they've 'contracted' to help us keep our hearts open to give and receive love. And when your time is up here on the earth plane and all is said and done, is there anything even remotely as important? How lucky and blessed we are that they agreed to share this time and space with us on earth and give so freely and unconditionally to us. Just imagine how unbelievably, and unbearably, lonely our world would be without them, both on an individual, as well as, a global scale.
So while you're remembering your loved ones this Valentine's Day, please acknowledge what an incredible gift our animal companions give to us each and every day unfailingly - the miraculous gift of 'unending' love. I say unending for I believe that it is a love that continues on forever, regardless of time, space, or dimension. For I know the day will come when I once more see her little smiling face and hear her happy bark of loving welcome. And I know the same is true for all of you whose loved ones have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
