Monday, June 25, 2012

The Animals We Love

They never live long enough whether they leave us when they're nine or nineteen.

Chicken Mama could use your love and support today. She had to have Maisy Grace, her 8-1/2 year old Golden Retriever, put down.

This picture was taken a couple of years ago at Christmas time. Maisy had just opened her present of this big ol' rawhide bone and really didn't have time to pose for a picture. "Just let me be so I can work on this bone, please."

Maisy was a people dog if there ever was one. She was happiest being right in the middle of things and close to the people she loved. Her exercise of choice was retrieving . . . retrieving anything you threw for her. If she saw you skipping a rock out into the water, she'd swim out to where the rock went down and dive over and over under the water until she found that particular rock. And you can bet she knew just which rock it was.

She was a beautiful girl with a kind, gentle personality. She had a shiny, gorgeous coat and I often told Chicken Mama that when she brushed her she should save Maisy's hair and spin it into golden yarn.

It was the right time for Maisy to go and it seems in her own quiet way she told Chicken Mama so. Because it was the right time, I think it was easy for Maisy. Not so easy for her people.

29 comments:

Sparkless said...

Awww so sorry to hear that. It's never easy to lose a beloved pet. My thoughts are with Chicken Mama and you and Papa Pea too.

Judy T said...

Give Chicken Mama a big hug for me. And yourself as well.
Judy

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

So very sorry for her loss. And yours too. My heart goes out to you all :(

Erin said...

So sorry to hear, even though we knew it was inevitable, you are right about it being so much harder on us than it is them, they seem to know and you can tell by their eyes when their fun days are over. I will remember her carrying rocks :)

Erin said...

in case she doesn't post for awhile or check Facebook I'll post here too...sending you a great big hug, sorry to hear about Maisy girl - one of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Seuss who was a big pet lover: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". Eventually you will be able to remember these years with her with smiles and no tears. She has gotten you through some tough times and will be a high standard for future dogs to live up to :)

Mama Pea said...

Sparkless - Thanks, Sparkless. No, it's never easy but I think especially hard when they don't die of old age.

Mama Pea said...

Judy - Will do. Thanks so much!

Mama Pea said...

Jane - Thanks so very much, Jane.

Mama Pea said...

Erin - Thanks so much, Erin. The last several weeks Maisy had to be kept as still as possible so there was no retrieving going on. I'm choosing to think that now she's once again going hell-bent-for-leather after the old tennis balls!

2 Tramps said...

Such a tough thing to go through. But it sure helps when your dear pet lets you know that it is their time. We are on our third dog here - we know how sad a time like this can be and we hope your hearts heal quickly and are filled with all the wonderful memories of your dear dog.

Katidids said...

Oh, I feel her pain. We just had to do the same thing with our 13yr golden "Buddy" also. So hard to watch them suffer and like chicken mama it was a hard decision to make but the right one. They know when it's timebut so hard for us to let go. Especially with all that is going on for her/you and papa. It's comforting to know Buddy has a family friend to play with. Please, give her a super big hug for me

judy said...

I FEEL SADNESS FOR YOU ALL,HUGS TO ALL OF YOU ♥♥♥

Leigh said...

Such sad news. It is so hard to lose a beloved companion like that. Hugs to Chicken Mama

Mama Pea said...

2 Tramps - Thanks so much for your kind words. They mean a lot.

Mama Pea said...

Katidids - So sorry to hear about you losing your Buddy. I'm passing along hugs to our daughter. Thanks.

Mama Pea said...

judy - Thank you, good friend.

Mama Pea said...

Leigh - We all go through it, don't we? Doesn't seem to get any easier though. Thank you, Leigh.

Susan said...

Oh, what a heartbreak. She was such a lovely dog - and goldens are such lovers. Sending all my love to the Pea family - especially Baby Pea. It is so hard to do the right thing sometimes.

Qwaynt said...

OH I am so sorry. I know that you all are be heart broken. Hugs and prays It is never easy to lose a beloved pet. Is Tucker doing OK ?

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Thanks so much for the kind words and sympathy. It means a lot.

Lisa said...

It takes a very strong person(s) to care so tenderly and lovingly for a beloved companion each and every day, knowing they have a terminal illness. I think ya'll showed such strength for Maisy and gave her such unconditional love, as she obviously felt for all of you. It has been quite clear that Maisy was a most beloved member of the Pea Family. Hugs and prayers for you all.

Lisa said...

I think my comment was accidentally published as a reply to the above comment. Sorry... :) PS Maisy was an absolutely beautiful dog.

Mama Pea said...

Qwaynt - Considering Tucker has never spent a day apart from Maisy since he came from you, he's doing really well. He's always been such a happy boy. Chicken Mama said he did okay last night. No problems. Today here he's seeming a little confused and uneasy every now and then but welcomes lovin' by being his happy, wiggly self. Right now he's sound asleep in the shade on the front deck. Thanks, Jean.

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - Chicken Mama was the strong one through this all. She had to take care of Maisy when she felt the worst. Nights and early mornings seemed to be the hardest on Maisy. She was absolutely no trouble when she was here. It was hard to see her so inactive because she felt so crummy but she was always sweet and willing to give a tail wag. Thanks, Lisa.

Qwaynt said...

Hugs to you all

Karen L. said...

MP, I tried to email you through you contact button but I kept getting an error message ... same with Chicken Mama's blog so it must be me. I just wanted to send my condolences to your daughter (and you and PP) for the loss of Maisy but I was going to do so off blog. CM has had a rough time of it lately and this just seems so unfair. However, we have our pets for just so long and then they are gone and we don't have much control over that. So, we give them the best life we can and love them like crazy while we have them. And yes it is harder on those left behind than the one leaving. The only good news is that eventually one can laugh about the funny antics of our lost pet and remember them fondly. But of course that takes time and "time" takes time so we have to get through that somehow. Hugs to CM from someone else who has been there .... haven't we all!?!?

Mama Pea said...

Karen L. - Sorry you've had trouble getting an e-mail through on our blogs. One of those great mysteries . . .

Chicken Mama will read your kind words here I'm sure. Thanks for taking the time to write all you did. It's all true and part of life, like it or not.

Dirt Lover said...

Oh, I sit here reading, and crying for you. Like so many others, I've been there, and send my hugs to you. I wish there was something that I could say to make things better. Lots of hugs.
~~Lori

Mama Pea said...

Lori - Oh, thanks so much, Lori, for your kind words. I think losing Maisy was especially hard for Chicken Mama because Maisy was her very first dog after becoming an adult. We're glad she still has Tucker so there's not such a big hole in her daily life.

Good to hear from you! Hope all is well.