In Deepest Sorrow

Another silence has fallen over my mind, my blog, my life. My husband and I cry ourselves to sleep and then cry ourselves awake too early in the morning, for our beloved Chloe died in the hospital Sunday morning after Thanksgiving. I can't put into words how we miss her.

She was our best friend, our family, our life. It is so hard to go on. She had the biggest personality, I am glad we shared our lives for a while. I am also so glad I went to the trouble to cook a turkey this year because she was able to have one last turkey dinner before she went to the hospital. She was a big fan of my cooking and I always felt as if I had my own Food Network cooking show because she would stand a few feet away in the kitchen and watch me work with a smile on her face and interest in her eyes.

Chloe had a special connection with my husband. I noticed early on when he had a restaurant job and would get sent home whenever it slowed down that she knew when he got off work somehow. Twenty or thirty minutes before he came home she would get up and sit in front of the door and stare at the doorknob. He did not have a steady schedule, sometimes he would get off at eight, sometimes nine, or sometimes even midnight. I would note what time she started staring at the door and ask him if he got off at that time and it was spot on even though he was eight miles away.

One of the things I will miss most is holding hands with her. Chloe would give you her paw and then pull your hand towards her and hold it next to her heart. She learned to shake from us and the heart portion was what she taught us. She also taught us the importance of a good stretch before walking and to enjoy the small moments in life. She often stopped to smell flowers when we walked and she seemed quite pleased when I bought a bouquet of flowers and put the vase on the floor beside her food bowl. Yes, she was that important.