4 weeks flew. lots of tears too.

It was 4 weeks ago today that we said good-bye to our boxer, Abbie.

I sit and remember all the wonderful times we had with our dear Abbie (see my post HERE for the full story).  After all, she was with us for 12 years.  Although 12 years seems like such a long time, it really was just a blink of an eye.  I’ve done pretty good with her loss, the kids have done phenomenal.  I thought for sure Adalynn would have a hard time with this as she is always talking about Abbie.  But she has done great.

There were two times I had a complete break down and just couldn’t figure out how to stop.  How frustrating is that, right?  It’s simply CRAZY how those little animals create such a huge impact on your heart.  One of my breakdowns was at Thanksgiving.  I remember asking God to help me stop crying.  How embarrassing, you know?  Here we are with family, celebrating family and what we are thankful for, yet I was hidden in the other room (hoping no one noticed my absence), crying…yet not ugly cry too much because I didn’t want to let my make-up run.  I’ve never had so much toilet paper and Kleenex touch my eyeballs before.

I eventually stopped and was happy again.  And it’s not that I’m not happy.  Our Abbie was a wonderful dog.  She has MANY wonderful years and made SOOOOOO many people smile.  She was simply perfect.  One of the best dogs (probably the best to be honest) that I’ve ever owned or my family has owned.

I pray that someday I’ll have the strength to think about another dog again.  I have always said I don’t ever want to live without a dog.  Yet the thought of getting another dog is immediately followed by the eventual loss of that dog.  That.  Is what I can’t handle.

LEND ME A PUP

I will lend to you for awhile a pup, God said,

For you to love her while she lives and mourn for

her when she’s dead. Maybe for twelve or fourteen years.

Or maybe two or three. But, will you, ’til I call her back,

take care of her for me?

She’ll bring her charms to gladden you and should her

stay be brief you’ll always have her memories as solace for

your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return

But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.

I’ve looked the whole world over in search of teachers true

And from the folk that crowd’s life’s land I have chosen you.

Now will you give her all your love nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to take my Pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say

“Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,” For all the joys this Pup will

bring, the risk of grief we’ll run. We’ll shelter her with tenderness

we’ll love her while we may. And for the happiness we’ve

known, forever grateful stay. But should you call her back

much sooner than we’ve planned,

We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

If, by our love, we’ve managed, your wishes to achieve

In memory of her we loved, to help us while we grieve,

When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife

We’ll have yet another Pup and love her all her life

-author unknown