I've talked about our Mindy Lou, the blind dog many times in here. We were always so astounded at her love of cats but more so of their love for her. You may recall that she had a stroke during her spaying procedure and the result was blindness. The Vet recommended that I put her down. It was the last time I would ever see him again. The cats seemed to know that she was disabled and would gather around her and lead her around to where they wanted to go. She knew our property like the back of her paw, and it was all due to the cats guidance.
Mindy was just a tiny puppy when someone abandoned her at our front door. She was pitifully skinny and had the mange. We took her to the Vet to get her treated for that and worms, got her vitamins and brought her home. She adored our Shelties, Duffy and Ripley. But it was the kittens that took her breath away. She would whimper when they gathered on the back porch and beg to go out to be with them. This was even before her blindness.
Mindy's muzzle began to turn white several years ago. She still got around with no problems, but we knew that at age twelve, she was getting to be a senior citizen. She adored Arianna and Arianna adored her. We could say "Arianna's coming to see you, " and she would station herself by the door until they arrived.
Last Wednesday night I noticed that she was having trouble getting up and down the steps. She just wasn't herself. Thursday she went and lay on her bed and never got up again. I had made an appointment with Doc Lawhon, but that proved to be a futile attempt to hold back the inevitable. At 1:30 pm, I went to sit by her again and talk to her. Pyewackit and Sonny lay next to her. She was no longer breathing.
We said goodbye to that good dog and I promised myself there will be no more dogs here. I told Mac I didn't know if my heart could take the grief. Of course I know there will be. I can't survive without a dog. We buried her in the Pet Cemetery amongst her cats. She's at the head of the plot, next to Ariel. Queen of the Pride. I've noticed footprints on her grave site and found Wonky and CeeCee lying on her gravestone the other morning. Their mourning is evident. You know, I've never doubted that animals have souls. Why wouldn't they? After all, The Good Lord made them all.
49 comments:
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. We lost our old border collie this summer. He would have been 17 in June, but he died Memorial Day.
I am so,so sorry. She died in own bed surrounded by those cats who loved her so much and that is not such a bad way to go. I know that is small comfort in your greif and sadness right now. Time, my dear, time.
Oh, Sandi, I'm so sorry that you've lost your darling girl Mindy Lou. You've written so beautifully about her that I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. Blessings and gentle hugs, my friend.
Sandi....what a good life you gave your precious Mindy Lou! My heart goes out to you and you know you will be greeted in Heaven by a Mindy who sees again.
I only found you recently, so have not got to know Mindy Lou, who looks wonderful. I have two of my own that are getting older now and can see this situation looming in my forseeable future.
As a vet, I appreciate how hard it is to lose our pets, and that the world is an emptier place for a while when they leave. I can tell Mindy Lou was greatly loved and appreciated and will be missed by you all.
Oh, Sandi. I'm so sorry. I cried and cried when I read this. Animals know more than we could ever give them credit for. I'm glad she had you and your house full of love for all those years. ♥
((((((HUG)))))) When our Corky goes, that's IT!! I just can't take it anymore...Bless your hearts...hughughughugs
Oh Sandi I am so sorry you lost Mindy, but what a wonderful life you gave her. She sounds like she was a great character and loved by all.
Oh Sandi sorry for your loss. You are so right about animals having souls, so so true. Oh this is very sad story. I don't know what is going on lately, I get so emotional. Anna
Sandi, I am so, so sorry and this is the worst part of having a pet.
I vowed last time, when I had to have my favourite little grey cat put to sleep that I couldn't cope with another session of grief like that.
We have never replaced that gap with another animal.
You gave your Mindy a second chance in life and it was a good life and the memory of him will always be there. Thinking of you during this sad time.
Nuts in May
Mindy will be forever in your heart. She had a wonderful life after a poor beginning. Animals mourn as all sentient beings do and understand more than we ever give them credit for. Hug your cats - they're grieving.
So sad to read this, but she had a onderful life with you & died amongst those that she loved & who loved her back.
((Hugs))
Jayne
I've called over from Hadriana.
What a touching story. It brought tears to my eyes. Mindy Lou sounds wonderful and very special. You will all miss her. I wish you all, the very best at this sad time.
since I'm still crying over my 3 losses this summer and will forever be, I'm having ahard time focusing on the fact that she had the great special life with you that she did.It's just wanting to hold them just one more time.I can still hear both my dogs breathing, and though I have others none are them. Many are giving up excellent pets due to foreclosures . It is heartbreaking..
Sad, but happy too. What a wonderful home you provide to your animals!
oh no, i'm so so very sorry. why can't these precious ones just live forever... goodbye dear mindy!
Sandi, this is a beatifully written loving tribute to your dear Mindy. Hug!!! Hyram is getting on in years too and I don't want to think about him ever being sick or moving on, but I know it will happen someday. I just hope when his time comes that it's a peaceful going in the midst of his family who loves him, just like Mindy was blessed with.
Love,
Lee
So sad but what a great life she had with you. Yes animals have souls and we'll see all of our wee furbabies once more. Hugs.
Sending you grace and heartfelt hugs during this mournful time. She will be missed. Just think of all the pets at the gates of heaven, waiting for the master's to come round the corner. The tails wagging will shake the universe! And in time you will be ready to love again.
Blessings ;-)
Oh Sandi, I'm so sorry. It's so hard to lose a pet. Oh but she was so well-loved by her people and her felines. My heart goes out to you.. hugs.
So sad..I have been through this 3 times in my married life. I waited 3 years before replacing the last dog with Luckie, s shelter dog-my first. Her life would make a good short story, if not a book. Luckie permeates many stories in my short blog life. Her muzzle is grey too and she is only about 7 yrs but has some health problems, mainly seizures.
I'm sure you are familiar with the Rainbow Bridge. I have a host of furry friends, well and whole awaiting me so we can walk into heaven together.
Reading about Mindy Lou I feel like I lost her too.
Such a sweet dog, her friends Wonky and CeeCee also.
A big hug,
Merisi
So sorry to hear of your loss, Sandi.
We lost our Buffi (at 13 in 97), we lost other precious animals, along the way. At the time of Buffi's death, we had adopted J's mother's dog, Sam. Sam lived for many more years. We said the same thing about never having another dog, because of the grief felt at their loss. Then, Christmas 2002, the kids brought Molly to us. What did we ever do without her.
I believe animals have souls. How else do they love and feel love and feel the pain and sadness of their human loved ones! They know more than they are given credit for.
Sorry about your dog. She probably is having a better life 'there'.
Thanks for wishing me luck in that treasure thing at Dr John's!!
Smiles
I am so sad for you at the lost of your dear sweet friend. I too believe animals have souls as they are our Lord,s creations. Prayers....m....
Oh Sandi! I'm so very sorry. The blessing is it doesn't sound like she suffered and went peacefully with those she loved nearby. {{HUGS}} sweetie. So true, we think our heart can't take more grief but we let another furbaby in and it's the love between us and them that soothes it.
Oh...Sandi, I'm sorry you've lost your dear Mindy. May the good memories help ease the pain.
We had a Mindy many years ago...also a wonderful dog and great friend to our children.
My deepest sympathy to you in the loss of a wonderful dog. I know she will be missed greatly. Maybe in time another little puppy will need a new home and I hope you will take it in. The just find you when you least expect it.
Our cats mourned the loss of one of our other cats. I just could not believe that cats mourned.
I kept saying never again and now I have three dogs and two cats. They make my life so much better.
Big Hugs,
Pam
When we put Dakota down two years ago, I swore I would not have another dog. NOW I HAVE TWO. Sigh.
Sandy: It is hard to loose a dog that has been with you, I hope you are comforted in that she is now at reast.
I am sorry for your loss. And I am with you. Saying good-bye to dogs is about as tough as tough gets, I thing. What a blessed life this pup led, though. Thanks to you.
My daughter wants a new dog. I think I will put Santa on the job. What's childhood without a dog?
God bless, Sandi. And thank you for sharing your animal friends with us. You help keep the heart soft!
Dear Sandi, I was so saddened to read this. What a wonderful life you gave Mindy Lou. Please give her cats special cuddles from me.
Love and gentle purrs from Michelle and Zebbycat
The price we pay for loving our pets. We outlive them all.
Then we spend our lives with paw prints on our hearts.
Beautiful story Sandi!
Oh Sandi, I read this with my darling Milou on my foot and I was blinded by tears...the pain we feel at the loss of our beloved pets is the price we pay for the years of their devotion.
Oh Sandi I am so sorry to read about the loss of your Mindy. I cried because it reminded me so much of our beloved Guinness. I never did get another dog, I couldn't bear to have my heart broken again. x
I am so sorry...each time we have said never again and each time a dog has turned up...
You know the Scots story of the shepherd who asked the minister if dogs would go to heaven. The minister, stern presbyterian, announced that they could not.
'In that case, I'm not going either'.
I'm with the shepherd.
I am very sorry for your loss of your dog, Mindy.
She sounds like a lovely dog, and so lucky to have found you when you needed her.
Your post is very touching, thank you for sharing your special dog.
Oh Sandi! I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Mindy. You are so right that animals love and mourn the losses of other animals and/or people. The dog we had from when I was six months old until I was almost 13, was mine and my Grandpa's dog. The rest of the family were just passers-by, ya know. And after my Grandfather died, Lady mourned him for six weeks, until she could mourn no more and she lay down and died. Leaving just me to shoulder her loss along with my beloved grandfather's passing. After the last dog we had -who we had to give away because neither Mandy or I were home enough to train him properly, to care for him properly too (i.e. walks and such), I said no more dogs until someone is here and able to do all that needs done. Now we have cats -2 adults and 6 kittens -so no dogs in the future as yet. But I keep hoping one of these days this house will have a dog in it again!
And yes, I know soon enough, some poor puppy or a half-grown dog will wander into your area and you'll take that dog in and load it up with lots and lots of care, good food and love! But give yourself time to heal too if possible.
Hello Sandi
Just dropped by to say thanks for popping in recently but not sure if you are up to company. Having 'lost' ,many cats over the years I can understand and also have a good idea of the grief you are experiencing at this moment.
You gave your precious dog a fabulous home and she gave you a lifetime (hers) of memories.
Take care
Cathy
I'm very sorry, Sandi. I know that loss is very, very difficult.
Take care, and know I'm thinking of you. ((hugs))
Ahhh, of course they have souls....the symptom of the soul is consciousness.
And the cats are weeping :(
I'm so sorry, Sandi. You are in my thoughts. Hugs and Blessings.
Not a bird falls from a tree our God does not see.
What a beautiful and sad post. I want a dog so bad but I'm afraid my heart couldn't take it if something happened.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Sandi, I could've sworn I commented on this-- it must have been on one of those nights when the internet wouldn't let me do anything.
I am SO sorry. Only people who have loved could possibly know the emptiness a beloved pet leaves behind.
My mom swore no more dogs, just before they adopted an abused and abandoned dog-- who now rules their home.
*hugs*
Oh Sandi...sweet Mindy Lou. We have all come to know her so well and to love her so. I wish I could do something to ease your grief..just know we all care and share your pain. All of us who so love our pets know this awful pain yet we continue to share our lives with another dog, another cat, horse, bird, rabbit...
They make our lives rich, bearable.
Bless you and your handsome husband for allowing these sweet beings to share your life.
I send you hugs and much love...
Sue
I'm so sorry about Mindy Lou Sandy, my thoughts are with you and yours at this sad time.
Di.x
I have no words to tell you how my soul bleeds for your loss of this wonderful companion. I, too, feel that our animals are a very special gift from God and an important part of life.
Please know that I mourn with you. Those little, black dogs with white muzzles are very, very special, yes, I sure know that.
Post a Comment