Friday, December 3, 2010

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.

17 comments:

  1. I am so very sorry to read the news about your Chloe. My deepest sympathy to you both.

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  2. I'm so sorry! I'm sending you a virtual {{{hug}}}.

    I don't even want to think about losing our dog as it will be devastating to my husband and I.

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  3. ((( I'm so sorry.))) I know how heartbreaking it is to lose a canine friend.

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  4. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved Chloe.

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  5. I am so very sorry for your loss. I don't have any experience with owning pets, but I can imagine it would be a painful loss.

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  6. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear Chloe. You were a good dog parent and gave her a good life.

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  7. Oh, I knew there was a good reason why you have been so quiet. I cannot tell you how sorry I am to hear this sad news.

    Chloe had a good life because of YOU.

    Please know you are loved and appreciated, dear one.

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  8. So sorry to hear of your loss. Words cannot express..... I lost my beloved Buster 3 years ago and I still miss him terribly. It may be a bit too soon but a good friend of mine suggested to get another dog. It never takes the place of the one that has passed, but it does help to occupy your time. Hang in there ;-)

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  9. oh, this must be so hard. An irreplaceable loss.

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  10. I can completely sympathize with your grief, having lost one of my dogs the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Condolences to you and your husband; it will take time to feel less grieved and more yourself again.

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  11. De-ette's commnt about another dog: It does more than just occupy your time. (And I'm sure she meant that). You get to fall in love all over again! We are usually not ready to open our hearts again immediately after losing a dog, but a 6 to 9 month wait has been right for us. We had to put Rosie down at age 14 in 1986 and I still miss her! Two houses later, and I still have a picture of her on the fridge! But since then I've loved Katie (1987-00) and our current dogs Lulu (2001-present) and Molly (2008 at age 2 to present). They have all been much-loved and valued members of our family.

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  12. I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. You have my deepest sympathy.

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  13. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

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  14. My deepest sympathies on the lost of your beloved pet, Chloe.

    I lost my doggy 4.5 years ago (which is mind boggling in and of itself) and I still tear up when I think about her.

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  15. I'm so sorry to hear that WP. Isn't that the truth that we learn so much about how to live from our pets (and our other, human kids).

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