2 Years Later

Is it weird to remember the day that your dog died two years later?  Poor little new dog Oliver had his birthday forgotten this year, and yet I remember the date that Opie died.  

The day Opie died was one of the worst days of my life.  I hadn't had to deal with death very much prior to that.  Basically just some great grandparents, and one grandfather.  His death was difficult for me, but he had been sick for so long that we knew that this was what was best.

But Opie we didn't really see coming.  He was only 10.  I had stopped at my parents to see him earlier that night because my sister had said he was having difficulty breathing.  But I just thought he would be fine.  I couldn't stay long because we were going out for my mother-in-law's birthday.  (Happy Birthday Carrie! Sorry for the depressing topic...)

Later that night, after my in-laws left my house, Ryan told me that Opie had died.  I just burst into tears, amazed at how instantaneous my grief was.  We went down to my parents and sat on the lawn with Opie for what felt like hours.  Who pets a dead dog?  We did.

I remember the pain so vividly.  I woke up multiple times that night in tears.  As soon as I thought about it I was crying, because I couldn't imagine life without that little guy following us around.  If there had been any night for a sleeping pill, that would have been it.  And for a girl who rarely takes sick days, the next day would have been a good one to take.  I was a disaster.

For weeks, or maybe months afterwards, I would catch myself thinking about him on my way home from work and start crying.  This is what happens when you have an hour commute, which is way too much time alone with your thoughts.

For those of you who have never lost a pet, you probably think that I'm crazy.  For those that have, you may understand.  Opie grew up with us.  He was our best friend and was always there when we needed him.  When we were sick or just sad and needed a friend, he was there, and dogs don't ask questions, they just cuddle with you.  When we were happy, Opie was zooming around us because he was happy too.  

And that is the problem with pets.  They are with us for such a short time but become so much a part of our lives.  I think that their deaths can be more painful for us then some human deaths because we really notice their absence.  When my Grandpa died, I was sad, and it would hit me that I would never see him again.  But I didn't notice his absence on a daily basis.  With Opie I did.  Every time I went to my parents house I noticed that he didn't greet me.  He wasn't begging at the table or cuddling up with us on the couch.  And the house felt empty. 

And yet my parents got another dog 2 weeks later.  Because despite the pain, we couldn't imagine life without the happiness that a pet brings us.  So we are going to do it all over again at some point.  But that's ok, because that's just what life and death is, and we wouldn't be so sad if we weren't so incredibly happy at some point.

The day he became part of our family

Missing

Today's Blog Every Day in May challenge is to describe something that you miss.  I guess you shouldn't really miss a time in your life too much, because you are where you need to be in life.  I kind of miss University, but I don't still wish I was there.  Some days it would be great to be back but would I still like to be in school full time?  No. 

Do I miss high school?  Most definitely not. 

Do I miss when Ryan and I were dating or engaged?  No.  Being married is much better than that.

So I guess there isn't really a time that I miss. 

I still miss my dog, Opie.  It's been almost a year that he's been gone, so I feel silly saying that.  But there are still some days when I'm driving (so much to think about during an hour commute), when I just think to myself that I miss him so much. 

 He was just a dog, I know, but he was part of the family for 11 years.  He grew up with us, he got us through so much.  A dog is always there for you and he was there for me through high school and University, on my wedding day and during a lot of important stages in my life.  And he was a good dog. 

So that's that.  I don't know what else to say, except that I wish he was still around.  Maybe he could teach Oliver a thing or two about being a good dog and not playing on the road.

Opie

We lost a member of our family on Thursday night.  Our Schnoodle Opie died.  He had been having heart troubles for a couple weeks, but we didn't realize that he would go so soon.

We have to be thankful because he didn't suffer for long and his body knew enough to give out on it's own.  Most animals can't do that.  He died in the laundry room, which was his room and safe place. 

He was an amazing dog and an important part of our family.  Always happy to see us when we walked in the door.  He loved to beg for food even though it upset his tummy.  He loved women, especially my mom and grandma.  He never chewed anything except for his toys.  And his biggest joy in life was going for car rides. 

His favourite words were walk, Grandma, car ride, cheerio and poodle treat.  He liked treats and snoozin, snoozin and treats.  He had a tendency to take over your bed at night.  He would start at the bottom and work his way up.  By morning he was on your pillow and you were pushed to the side.  When he was excited, he would run in "Opie circles".  Laps around the living room and kitchen, usually stopping at his basket to grab a toy on the way by.

He had his issues.  He suffered from severe separation anxiety.  Every time we left he thought we were never coming home.  And he had some food guarding issues.  He was always thinking we were gonna eat his food on him!  But these made him unique, and unique he was!  Up until a couple weeks before he died you never would have known that he was an 11 year old dog.  He was still running around and playing as if he was a pup.

Life is so much more joyful with a dog.  They love you unconditionally, and are always happy to see you.  When you are sick or sad, they just know and they cuddle with you.  They are a constant companion.  I feel emptiness now that he's gone.  I can't believe he won't ever wag his tail at me again or paw me at the dinner table. 

We loved him, and he loved us. 

Opie

May 14, 2001-May 24, 2012