Life Happens
Holy Cow. It’s been 117 days since I last posted. Shameful!
It’s not that I haven’t had a million topics to write about … reunited with my amazing kindergarten teacher, great book on Ben Franklin, walking 40 miles for breast cancer, the inspiration of three women in their 70s … or the death of my best friend. It’s this last topic that rendered me unable to feel creative (and brave) enough to write anything.
My life changed in an instant. Saturday he was catching a Frisbee with the fervor he’s had since puppyhood. By Monday morning he was on his way to doggie heaven. Damn. It’s every dog owners’ worst fear and now I know it’s a moment for which you can never prepare.
So there you sit clutching his collar with your eyes nearly swollen shut from crying and you think you’ll never recover. But along come a group of friends who blow you away with their love and support. It was like being swept into a game of Candyland where everything is simple and loving and sweet. They shared memories of their life with Cutter, they suggested ways to cope – brilliant ideas only those who have lost their best friend could offer, they called crying to share their own sadness, they sent flowers, they wrote poems, they posted photos, they hugged me and they kept me busy. Thanks to them, I have recovered.
Cutter was an amazing animal. Or, maybe he was something else entirely. My Mom says he was a human in a dog’s body. And I believe he was an angel put on earth in the form of a dog. Whatever his true form, I only know one thing for sure and that is that I am lucky to have had him in my life.
Cutter brought me intense joy and he escorted me, with unconditional love, through some of the most challenging times of my life. So I guess he decided it was time for this little fledgling to fly (and blog) on her own. I hope he is right.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Lisa – your beautiful words about Cutter were well worth the wait. Don’t forget that it was mutual, and what an amazing friend you were for him too!! I love that picture of you both… xxoo
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Lisa – Your words made me cry all over again, but I’m happy to see even now Cutter is helping you to be strong and move forward. I believe he was a human in a dog’s body- he touched each of us that he came into contact with, and not just in a normal cute, unconditional love pet way- there was always something real behind his eyes. He used to make me feel so honored to play catch with him and the couple of very bad days I had he chose to comfort me by staying close under my desk. He had to know I needed support and he was offering it. I always thought he was an extension of you so he lives on in you, our memories and even other animals/angels
I miss you and hope to catch up soon but had to share
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 am
This was a beautiful story about how love transcends form and shapes us in ways we are not always aware of. Thank you for sharing, Lisa.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:59 am
wow, powerful feelings, Lisa. Very touching, right from your heart. Its the unconditional love of a dog that is so angelic to me.