Friday, February 27, 2015

Annie's life


By anybody's standards, was a good life.  A wonderfully full, active, always loved life.  So many wonderful, cherished memories!  

I have no regrets...



































As I write this post this morning, I am a bag of mixed emotions.  I am heartbroken, and sad; but also oddly at peace.  My beautiful girl slipped quietly into her final rest last evening at home, on the couch.  It was so peaceful and so quiet that I had to keep checking to make sure she wasn't just sleeping.  She was as beautiful in death as she always was in life.  Oh my, how I will miss her.  She has been my constant companion for almost 11 years.  And I do mean constant.  The only time she wasn't with me was 5 years ago when we were on vacation in Hawaii for a week.  And even then, we had a friend stay at our home with the dogs where they would be most comfortable.  

I've never had a dog who fussed and worried about me, like Annie did.  It was as if she were my guardian angel or something.  She was always watching me.  Even if I was outside for a short while, my hubs would tell me that she was waiting by the door, listening intently for my return.  She followed me around every morning keeping tabs on my comings and goings as I got ready for work.  When she sensed that it was almost time to leave, she'd plant herself squarely in the middle of the kitchen floor where I had to step over her to get anywhere.  She wasn't about to be left behind.  

She was as good and kind as any dog has ever been.  She was gentle and loving  and smarter than a lot of people I know.  I always said she was perfect, and in my heart I truly believe that she was.  She never, ever did anything wrong that I can recall.  Even as a puppy.  She was an old soul and made me a better person just having spent time with her. I will cherish her memory for all time and will be eternally thankful to God for choosing me to be her guardian.  What a gift she was.  :)

Although I'm filled with a sense of loss, I'm also at peace because I know she was ready.  She had a couple of cheeseburgers for lunch yesterday and we took a drive out in the country so she could poke her nose out the window and enjoy a few sniffs.  Last night when we got home, I gave her a couple of pain pills to get her dozey and she enjoyed a bowl of vanilla ice cream.  She loved ice cream!  We snuggled on the couch in front of the pellet stove until LeAnne arrived.  I have never in all my life witnessed such a peaceful death.  And for that, I will also be eternally grateful.  My girl was tired.  She had fought the cancer valiantly, but in the end, she was ready.  We laid her to rest under the plum tree in our back yard where I'll plant some beautiful flowers in her honor.  We'll miss her so much, but it was time to say good-bye.

Ruby is a bit quiet this morning, but she said her good-byes as well, and seems to understand that Annie is gone.  I sometimes believe that animals have a far greater understanding of death than us people ever will.  So for us, life will go on.  Ruby and I will go for a walk at lunch time today and breathe deeply, and give thanks once again, for the gifts He gives us.  

I have taken more pictures of Annie than anyone or anything else over the years because she just could not take a bad picture.  She was so photogenic, and her lovely personality and kindness always showed.  How could I not?  These are but a few that I have, but I will cherish them always.  

Hug your loved ones today, hold them close and appreciate the beautiful souls you have in your life, for they are precious.

Blessings everyone, 
Lorie



We will be together one day soon Annie, I believe that with all my heart...rest until then.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Stewardship, it can mean different things to people. For those of us who have brought animals into our lives it means THE ACTIVITY OR JOB OF PROTECTING AND BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR A LIFE. We do this knowing full well there will be good times, bad times expenses, and sacrifices. We never go into it thinking about how DAM short there lives are and that at some point HARD choices have to be made. I for one would never miss one single second of them being in my life because the Joy, the Love, and the Compassion they have given me over the years far outweighs the heartache had from having to let one of them go. Rest In Peace Annie baby

Gail said...

I am so sorry. I know how hard this was. I know for sure that dogs go to heaven because of a near death experience my grandson had. Grandma and Clyde (his dog) saved him from drowning. I know that sounds crazy but from the mouths of babes...

Your father sounds like a wonderful man. Mine was in Okinawa and other places he didn't know. We honor them both by living with respect and honesty.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you had her and she had you. Blessings.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Annie was the most wonderful dog and guardian angel to you. I'm actually reading this with tears in my eyes. I know how hard this was for you but for Annie it was her time. It's kinder to let them go peacefully than to make them stay with us and suffer. Be at peace knowing she will forever be in your heart and watching over you. Her spirit will never leave you. Hugs to you and your husband and Ruby and all her friends who loved her.

Michelle said...

I'm so sorry, Lorie; I didn't know this when I talked to you yesterday. SO thankful it was peaceful; you both deserved that. HUGS.

Lea and her Mustangs said...

Sorry sounds so trite when I know you are hurting lorie. Love and hugs to you.

T.L. Merrybard said...

That sense of peace is what I always remind myself of when it is time to send another one on ahead of me. It helps to remember it.

Seems to me like you made Annie's life as perfect as she was, right to the very end. My thoughts are with you, and I'll go hug my two sweet Labbies right now in her honour.

T.L. Merrybard said...

Gail, experiences I've had in my life make me totally believe your story!

14.1hands said...

She was one lucky dog to have you and your husband in her life. It's always hard even though it was her time. You will always have wonderful memories and pics.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

What a beautiful life she had with you. And the gift of a peaceful passing.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

What a fitting end for such a lovely and gentle girl! Rest in Peace Annie,until you meet again

Ranch Girl Diaries said...

My heart aches for your loss, but it is obvious from the beautiful photos of your special Annie that she had an amazing, wonderful life with your family! It must be comforting to know there was so much peace in her passing. She is still watching over you. ;-)

Ranch Girl Diaries said...

Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment on my blog post about selling Luna. It was beautiful and perfectly said. I hadn't even finished reading it and I was crying again! ;-) It is still hard- every day. I still can't believe I did it, at least once a day I ask myself, who was that person who let her go? But I am starting to move forward. I am already planning to get another mustang in a few years and can count down the days until that happens, it gives me something to look towards.

Connie in Hartwood said...

This is such a touching tribute to Annie! So much love comes through your words.

We have a simple memorial page at GreyhoundsRock.org, where we show the smiling faces of dogs who have passed because of cancer. I would love to include Annie ... there are so many beautiful photos of her here. If it's okay with you, send me one of your favorites.