This is a bit of a departure from my usual posts, but I had to take a pause. Yesterday we took our beloved family dog to the vet to be put down.
Cassie was your classic Marley-and-me dog. In her early years, she was a handful: chewing everything in sight, bolting out the door given the slightest chance, and generally terrorizing everyone. But early in her life, she earned her keep forever by saving our 2-year-old who had wandered outside at night. (Think “Timmy fell in the well!”)
As she aged and mellowed, she fit well with our crazy-paced family. Our kids grew with her as a constant presence: a solid bolster to lean against, a soft flank to stroke, and a convenient pizza crust disposal.
We all grieve in our own way. Some of us cry openly, some quietly contemplate. But we will all miss Cassie, even if we don’t yet fully realize what her absence will mean.
Erin E. M. Hatton 