Not Everything is Replaceable

My beautiful friend and family dog passed away Saturday morning. It has been rough going through the process of her aging and dealing with illness and her eventual death. I am, however,  happy she is free of pain and extremely proud we showed her our love and devotion up to the very end.

But now I’m dealing with stupid. “He’s a video of a puppy who needs a home.” “Oh! This cute puppy would fit perfectly in your family.” “I got a dog for you.” “Move on. Get another dog.”

Seriously? My heart was ripped out of my chest less than a day ago and you have the nerve to shove this in my face? Maggie is not disposable. It wasn’t like we broke something and could run to the store to replace it. We lost a member of our family. We made arrangements in our daily lives around the needs of our fur babies. We turned down events and evenings out to stay with her in her last days. And, we still have another dog (Bindi) and two cats (Ophie and Trash).  These babies mean the world to us. We care for them and love them and now that one of them is gone we all feel the loss.

Replace her? How? Maggie was more than a pet. Shortly after she came into our home I sustained a severe back injury that required surgery. That dog never left my side. She supported my weight when I needed her and even helped me get off the floor when I fell, twice. She walked alongside me when I had to take the stairs and steadied me when I would tire. She was my lifeline. She made me get up and move cuz when a Great Dane needs to pee – you move!

Replace her- I’d rather replace the people who find her existence replaceable.  I could trust my life to that beautiful girl. She would get between me and anything she saw as a threat. Those blasted squirrels knew to keep their distance. She made us smile. She made us laugh. She was and is a part of this family.

Maggie is not replaceable.

Find joy. Be joy. Enjoy.

Maggie was joy wrapped in a dog’s body.

Author: Ticia Rani

I am...interesting. I am a writer, dreamer, mom, wife, veteran, friend, villain, and the wearer of many hats, but I don't look good in hats- go figure. I LOVE TO WRITE. I want to tell stories. I want to make you laugh, cry, and scare the crap out of you, and make you ask "why the hell did you do that?" I want to make you cheer my characters on or want to shake the crap out of them for things they say and/or do. I want to bring you along for the ride. Ready? Set?...READ!!! View all posts by Ticia Rani