Roughly ten years ago I rescued two bedraggled puppies from the middle of the street on a cold, wet, rainy day. I asked around and found the house they had wandered away from. I parked on the street and started up the walk to *return* the puppies. A young, very pregnant teenager sat on the porch in a rocking chair, smoking. Before I got a third of the way to the door, the MAN of the house appeared. Holding a shotgun on his hip, he spit a long stream of tabaccy into the mostly dirt yard and narrowed his eyes. "help 'ya?" I explained about the pups. He confirmed they had come from his yard, but had no interest in having them returned...finders keepers 'n all. I mumbled a quick thank you and stepped quickly out of the yard and bolted for the station wagon. I was soaked and shaking and FURIOUS. The male puppy was pacing back and forth making nose prints on every available glass surface. The female waited an instant for me to slide behind the wheel and start the engine, then slid into my lap and began to cry. I drove straight to the vet. I knew better than to take two stray animals home to the 85 year old house I had just begun renovating, where my allergic to everything springerspaniel puppy and my cat would not be amused. The kids were in school for another couple of hours. The vet gave me the usual *you can't rescue everybody and everything* lecture and then said he was sure he could find a home for the male, all black, obviously part shepherd. The female was still firmly attached to me. The vet sighed and said "that dog has found HER home, that's for sure. Judging from the size of those paws though, she's gonna be BIG. Don't you have enough on your plate?" The puppy looked into my eyes and snuggled closer. That was the end of that discussion. Tasha came home with me, and after the inital growl sniff snap chase the cat couple of weeks, settled in to be the most GRATEFUL dog I have ever known. She seemed to know she had been rescued. Ate whatever was offered, slept on any surface, protected me vociferiously. Last year, exactly a year ago yesterday, her constant companion had a seizure, was rushed to the neurologist and died ten days later from spinal cancer. Tasha has been inconsolable. I have not been able to leave her for more than a couple of hours, and she has had every possible health problem along the spectrum. Insulin shots twice daily for diabetes, special prescription food for digestive ailments, and constant company for what can only be depression. She has grieved the world's greatest spaniel and it has almost killed her. Yesterday at 5AM, EXACTLY, to the day, she had a massive seizure and was rushed to the same doctor that treated Crosby. Today she will have a CAT scan (shouldn't there be dog scans for them?) to determine whether she has a brain tumor as he suspects, or is just dying of grief. If necessary, she will be transported five hours to the nearest MRI scanner in use for veterinary practice. Her (synthetic) sheepskin is in the dryer, her handmade quilts in the wash, awaiting her return. She has been a good and faithful companion, always greeting me at the door with a smile and a wag of the tail and LOVES it when I bring home real wool...hey MOM, that used to be a SHEEP! A friend of mine, who volunteers for the local ASPCA remarked once that she wasn't sure she believed in any of that resurrection, past life stuff, but if it WERE true, Tasha must have been very very very good in a former life to end up as MY dog. I feel like it is CLEARLY the other way around. I hope among your many blessings, you are able to count LOVE, of the unconditional animal companion variety. Strangely, sleeve knitting, ordinarily the bane of my existence, has been the only thing I can concentrate on. Go figure.
My very strongest healing thoughts for Tasha....
Posted by: claudia | January 23, 2004 at 09:25 AM
I don't know her but she sounds like a wonderful puppy -- big doggie hugs and prayers for her.
Posted by: Gina | January 23, 2004 at 09:50 AM
Hoping for the best. You are lucky to have each other.
Posted by: Carolyn | January 23, 2004 at 10:24 AM
Wow, that would be an amazing coincidence to have Tasha's seizure happen exactly one year later. If I believed in coindidences. Good luck to you and Tasha. I know how wonderful pets are and I hope the best for her.
Posted by: Sharlene | January 23, 2004 at 10:32 AM
I truly feel your pain -- my thoughts are with you and Tasha.
Posted by: Wendy | January 23, 2004 at 11:31 AM
Oh Greta, I read your post with tears in my eyes. I am hoping for the best for Tasha...and her mom :)
Posted by: annie | January 23, 2004 at 12:59 PM
Healing thoughts and blessings are winging their way to you and Tasha.
I'm certain that all of us with beloved companion animals can feel and imagine the difficulties that you are facing right now.
I sincerely hope that the many thoughts and prayers sent your way can help, in some small measure, to comfort you.
Posted by: Christine | January 23, 2004 at 01:55 PM
Tears, over here, are my offering to Tasha's angel, that she might get strong and happy. Maybe she'll just get a wee glimpse of her spaniel friend, waiting patiently for her, and be content to be happy and healthy again with you, for a little while longer? Mama can't take THAT kind of empty nest.....
Posted by: Rachael | January 23, 2004 at 02:42 PM
I have tears in my eyes as I write this, and every ounce of my being is sending prayers out for Tasha...What a good, sweet, and wonderful companion! May both you and Tasha feel the strength of the prayers and love that are behind the two of you right now...
Posted by: Mandy | January 23, 2004 at 11:26 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about Tasha. We had two beagles who were two years apart. Our oldest, Gemma, died very suddenly a year ago at age 7. Hugo has definitely been grieving for her. She was the alpha and he doesn't know what to do by himself. I hope the best for you and Tasha.
Thank you again for the wonderful, wonderful gifts. You are an incredibly generous person.
Posted by: Jessica | January 24, 2004 at 01:25 AM
Heart-felt prayers and good vibes go to Tasha...
Posted by: Carrie | January 24, 2004 at 02:20 AM
Oh, I don't know what else to say that hasn't already been said. My best hopes for you and Tasha. She sounds like a remarkable dog, and I believe you two were meant for each other. Lots of hugs and support to you both.
Posted by: Em | January 24, 2004 at 08:21 AM
Sending healing thoughts for Tasha and prayers for grace for you. These little (or in Tasha's case, big) beings have a special place in our hearts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: Christy | January 24, 2004 at 09:20 AM
Dear Greta, my prayers are with you and your sweet doggie. xxoo
Posted by: Kim | January 24, 2004 at 01:08 PM