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The Getting of Willow

19/11/2018

30 Comments

 
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I lost the love of my life on my birthday. I chose the day to sit by her side and say farewell. Although it felt like I had no choice. Zuri, my Rhodesian Ridgeback and keeper of my heart, was dying of cancer which had spread mercilessly to her lungs and abdomen. Every decision I had made up to this point was meant to prevent this. I was shocked to view the x-ray which looked like a patchwork of leopard spots over every part of her lungs. There was silence in the consult room as I stared at the results with my hand over my mouth. How was she not gasping for breath? The oncologist finally stepped forward and turned off the monitor light. I remember her voice coming from a distance saying, “That’s enough. It’s a depressing picture. She’s a very sick dog.” There was an urgency in choosing the time of her departure. An over-riding imperative to prevent the suffering that was imminent; A suffering that may be sudden. I did not want the final days and hours of her journey to be tainted by distress. So the fact that it was my birthday was immaterial to the decision. Yet it was also poignant.

Zuri left peacefully in her favourite place, surrounded by her favourite people, head cradled in my hands. And by some miracle, my heart kept beating. It wasn’t the same heart any more. There was a huge Zuri-shaped hole which had once been an overflowing of joy, love, companionship, contentment and endless gratitude. At times I was angry at this heart for continuing on as if everything was the same, for beating around a gaping chasm. How could it carry on when it was bleeding out from a mortal wound?

The task to continue some semblance of living with this defiant heart began. Living in a Zuri-less house was excruciating. For a quiet, easy-to-live with dog, she was conspicuous in her absence. There was no cure for the lack of rhythmic breathing by my side at night. Nor for the loss of enthusiastic greetings upon my return to an empty house. I was solo where once there had been a constant companion quietly by my side.

My grieving was purposeful and deliberate. It had to be. If I was not choreographing rituals and routines to remember my best friend, the grief was overwhelming. If I stopped and looked into the abyss that was my loss, it threatened to suck me into a dark vortex with scant chance of return.

Part of my grieving process included the strict proviso that such an amazing friend could not, would not, should not, must not be replaced until a suitable amount of time had elapsed. Out of respect to her memory.  And because she was irreplaceable.  I had no idea what the right amount of time was, but never didn’t seem too long to wait.

However, I wasn’t prepared for the inconsolable nature of the sadness. I compromised and visited puppies. They crawled on me, and licked me and suffocated me with puppy breath and unbridled exploratory joy. I heard myself vocalizing in their presence and realized I was laughing. There was no laughter in the empty house. Time stood still and heartache was held at bay during puppy therapy. So I took one home.

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Gidget: The Face of Solace
I was careful not to break the pact I’d made by fostering a puppy who needed some recuperation time after surgery. This was temporary and was not a replacement.  For seven weeks I welcomed Gidget, this amazingly resilient puppy, into the home. Despite two surgeries, her crazy joy filled the house and she recovered well. She disregarded the wall I had built to prevent emotional attachment and managed to creep in and create a little niche inside a part of my heart that wasn’t broken. There were times through tears that I looked at her charming face and apologized for my melancholy state, explaining that it wasn’t her that was making me sad. That she was precious but my heart was struggling with guilt over feeling happy when my soul mate was gone.

On Zuri’s birthday, eyes red and brimming, heart conflicted, I made the decision to return her for a week, hoping the absence would help with making a decision whether it was right to keep her permanently.

I wasn’t prepared for the new grief that ensued. I suspected that it was just the return of a silent, dogless house that precipitated a renewal of sadness. After a few days I realized my plan to wait a suitably respectful time before welcoming a dog into my life was not a good one. The hole Zuri left was too big. I realized that Gidget was not replacing  Zuri; she  had been helping me cope with the loss of my friend by easing the whirlwind of destructive emotions with an eddy of joyful puppyness. She was not taking away the grief or dishonouring Zuri’s memory but making her loss a little more bearable.  This little nutty little puppy that I wouldn’t have chosen had started a healing balm and I didn’t want her to leave. I realized all this too late and through an unexpected turn of events, she was gone and nothing could bring her back.

With a new urgency I needed to fill the painful void. That’s when I found more puppies. This time I resolved to welcome a permanent family member. I picked her while she was sleeping, not knowing if she was already promised to a home or not. She wasn’t.​
But she was not being allocated a home until she had a final health check as she had a minor heart murmur. The vet did not appear overly worried as it did not sound serious through the stethoscope.  Many puppies have what’s known as innocent heart murmurs which resolve as they grow or never cause a problem. To be certain, she was having an echocardiogram at ten weeks old before finding a home. I looked at the remaining puppies. I played with them. I assessed them. Yet I was continually drawn to this little puppy who I pointed at while she slept at our first meeting, “This one!” The puppy who wagged her tail at the sound of my voice. The puppy who was eager to approach, loved to be cuddled, ran away to investigate then turned to find me and run back for another cuddle.

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Her sister was delightful, bigger, adventurous and healthy.  My head said take the sister. My heart whispered Willow: the littlest puppy who was having an echocardiogram a few days after I had gone through the same procedure. My little heart buddy. I did what I wouldn’t advise anyone else to do. I went with my heart. I took her home a few days before her echocardiogram. I was so excited to get started. I was pragmatic. I was fully informed. If I took her to the vet for the investigations and she was fine, then great, I have my puppy and I’ve made the right choice. If anything serious was found, then the breeder would keep her.

We spent four days together. Four amazing nights where she slept right through the night snuggled into my neck.
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On the fifth day I took her to the vet and she had the echocardiogram. We played in the waiting room while waiting for the results. When the results were ready, the breeder went in first to hear the outcome. I was then called into the consult room. The strained faces told me the results before a word was uttered. It wasn’t an innocent heart murmur. It was serious. I was optimistic and asked about medication and prognosis and what to expect. My optimism began to fade. I knew it might be bad news, but still wasn’t prepared for the grim outcome I was hearing.  Her life was not predicted to be a long one. It was time to give her back to the breeder.

I couldn’t.

It didn’t feel right to drive there with her and go home without her. So I asked for a few days to enjoy her and say goodbye before returning her.

I planned to take her back after the weekend. Then I left it another week.  Then a second week. I arranged to take her for a play date with her siblings. I packed all her belongings in the car with the intent of returning her: toys, blankets and a file the breeder had supplied. I didn’t tell the breeder I was actually returning her that day. We chatted. I watched her play. I heard myself acknowledge that I probably needed to return her. It was the right thing to do. Then I gathered her up in my arms, placed her back in the car and took her home, telling the breeder I’d bring her back with all her things later. The breeder noticed Willow’s belongings in the car and silently took note that this was an emotional decision.

I lied.

Not deliberately. I just needed more time to consolidate my thoughts. So many thoughts. Willow was not well. She looked healthy. She acted like nothing was wrong. Yet her life was going to be cut short. Asking a vet for a prognosis is fraught with “what ifs” and unknowns. At best, she might not show clinical signs for 12 months. At worst, her heart could start failing at six months. The biggest question I had to ask was, “Do I really want to go down this road again so soon after caring for and finally losing Zuri?”

There was no simple answer.

I didn’t want a sick puppy. But that’s not what I saw when I looked at Willow. I saw a puppy who I chose as she slept. A puppy who loved to be cuddled and touched.  A puppy with a willingness to explore the world despite some hesitation with new environments; a brave scaredy cat. A tail that wagged at the sound of my voice before she knew my voice. A little friend at a time I knew I needed a helping paw. A puppy with a dicky heart and big personality.  The eery coincidence of our similar health investigations was not lost on me.  We could be dodgy heart buddys together. It didn’t feel right to abandon her after being so immeasurably drawn to her. Despite sleeping on it, I couldn’t exchange her for her rambunctious and robust sister.

I made the call to the breeder with a plea to keep her. I was up for it. She was worth it. The breeder relented and that is the story of the getting of Willow.

What happens next? We enjoy every precious day together. She gifts me the exuberance that is puppy joy, the rhythmic night time breathing, the welcome homes, daily lessons about behaviour and learning and a reprieve from grief. In return I hope to give her a safe place to grow and learn and to have fun. And, when the time comes, a farewell that is not delayed and as stress free as possible. Whatever new grief it is that comes, and it will come, I have decided she is worth it.

Wish us luck.

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30 Comments
Toni link
19/11/2018 07:11:15 pm

Honestly what a beautiful story, I think you have done a wonderful thing. None of us know how long we are here for anyway, and she looks like such a gorgeous doggie I would have done the same.
May all the doggie guardians look out for you both.

Take Care Toni

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Sonya link
19/11/2018 07:17:58 pm

Thanks Toni. It was a tough decision, as you can imagine. I thought similar to you: we never know when our time is up. So it's almost a luxury to know that time is short and to make the most of it.

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Bron
19/11/2018 07:48:49 pm

You have an awesome story that is beautifully shared Sonnie.
I hope your readers don't have reason to understand your words...but am convinced that they will be more compassionate towards themselves and others should they find themselves in a conflicting puppy situation.
Paws up to you my friend🐾🐾

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Sonya
19/11/2018 09:58:28 pm

Thanks Bron. x

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Karen
19/11/2018 08:11:35 pm

Oh Sonya! What a beautiful & difficult story. Your heart may be broken but it’s also selfless & made of so much love.
Zuri will be proudly watching over you both I’m sure.
Thank you for sharing yours & Willows story. I would love to meet her one day. 💗
Karen & Bertie

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Sonya link
20/11/2018 03:46:51 pm

Hi Karen, Thanks for your comment. I hope you get to meet Willow. x

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Rowena
19/11/2018 08:27:38 pm

I am so glad you decided to keep her. Special people find special dogs and special dogs find special people.
You write beautifully. Rowena and Cooper x

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Sonya link
20/11/2018 03:48:20 pm

Hi Rowena, Lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your comment. Yes, special people and special dogs ... we know all about them don't we? ;-)

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Dr Kat Gregory link
19/11/2018 08:33:19 pm

...I have known of Willow's story for a little while now...the exact journey for Sonya and Willow can't be predicted - what I do know, is that they will take each step together and it will be special.

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Sonya
20/11/2018 03:49:37 pm

Hi Kat, Thanks for your comment. I certainly hope we have a special time together. So far, so good. ;-)

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Tracey Clifford
19/11/2018 10:55:36 pm

I read this story whilst sobbing the entire time, holding back the choking feeling of wanting to burst into tears, all the while sitting with our 6month old Maltese x shihtzu puppy Yukï and thinking to myself, maybe had I been told the same diagnosis for our little baby, we most probably have still chosen her as it's all for a purpose. None of us know our fate in life and like the old adage, it's better to have lived and loved,and lost then never to have loved at all... Good luck to you both, may you live and love for a long time to come..

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Sonya
20/11/2018 03:50:56 pm

Thanks Tracey. ISorry to make you cry. hope your wish for us comes true as well. :-)

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Sally-Ann
19/11/2018 11:58:28 pm

My heart breaks & at the same time rejoices for you both. 💕

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Sonya
20/11/2018 03:51:55 pm

Hi Sally-Ann, You've hit the nail on the head: the heartbreak and rejoicing at the same time. Life is kinda like that: bittersweet. Thanks for your comment.

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Jan
20/11/2018 04:36:47 am

Almost 3 years ago my 5 month old Ridgeback Kenny was killed outside my house by a speeding hit and run driver. I have never known grief like it, nor anger, despair, guilt. But had I known that my time with him would be cut short, would I go back and deny myself the total joy and love I felt every day for the three months he was with me? No, probably not Sonya - we have to live for the day and take joy wherever we can find it. My family insisted on rushing out and replacing Kenny immediately with a new pup. At the time I struggled with the comparisons, but now I couldn't be without my gentle kind Ridgeback Boris who makes me laugh every day and has helped me to find a way to move on even though my heart will never really be totally healed - I wish you and Willow a wonderful time together xxx

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Sonya
20/11/2018 03:53:34 pm

Oh Jan! That is a devastating story of loss - the way it happened. I'm so glad Boris is helping soften the blow to your wounded heart. Thank you for your well wishes. :-)

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Brett
20/11/2018 09:17:08 pm

Dogs pick us, at which point we play the cards that are dealt.
Sometimes they come to us with a disability for a reason.
We all have baggage and a dog such as Willow often makes it lighter, as well as vice versa.

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Sonya
20/11/2018 10:27:07 pm

Hi Brett, Lovely to hear from you. I like your thinking. I often think along the lines that life deals us a hand and we have to play it the best we can. It's not necessarily what happens to us that's the most important, it's how we deal with it. I also think the load is lighter with a travelling companion ;-)

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Mark
20/11/2018 11:46:06 pm

This is such a beautiful story. We adopted a senior, I told my wife we only fostering. Roxy stayed with us for 2 yrs before we had to let her go. My heart was broken, so I planted an orange tree with her ashes underneath and can see her from my window when I am working. We have 3 more Ridgies and I just know it is going to be the same again one day. What you have done by taking in this beautiful girl is beyond words. Her life is yours and yours is hers. Well done and will follow your posts eagerly.

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Sonya
22/11/2018 12:36:48 pm

Hi Mark, What a lovely memorial the orange tree is. Thanks for your encouraging words. I don't know what the future holds ... but who does!?

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Deb
21/11/2018 02:11:48 pm

We have just welcomed Ridgeback number 5 (9week old Ginny) into our family & #4 arrived earlier this year. They are without doubt the best dog breed ever. We lost our darling girls (2&3) last year after suspected snake bite (#3) & then #2 was an amputee also like Zuri. Once Ivy had lost her younger mate she turned 11 then decided her time was also up and we had to make the awful decision to end her life with kindness and comfort. It’s difficult getting used to new pets when the memories of those before them are so strong. We will never forget Ella, Ivy and Rumour. We now hope that Koda and Ginny will enjoy life with us as much as we love and cherish them. Once a RR owner, forever in our 💕
Enjoy Willow and allow her to channel your precious memories of Zuri.

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Sonya
22/11/2018 12:40:20 pm

Hi Deb, You certainly love Ridgebacks! What a heartbreak to lose them so close together. I love all their names. Willow was almost an Ivy. Or a Rumour. :-)

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Eve
22/11/2018 10:10:56 am

Amazing story - very brave...seems love does overcome all..sincerely wish you the best of luck & for a good long life Willow xx

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Sonya
22/11/2018 12:42:15 pm

Hi Eve, thank you for your kind wishes. You know, it doesn't feel brave ... and I know I'm no stronger or more compassionate that any other dog lover ... it just feels right.

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Joyce Loebig
22/11/2018 10:04:42 pm

Oh, Wow, Sonja, just Wow. What a beautiful and wondrous story about beautiful and wondrous people and dogs. Thank you for sharing, and it seems like Willow found HER soulmate. What a brave gift you're giving her. And I do wish you both ALL the luck! (And of course she's adorable...)

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Sonya
23/11/2018 04:33:18 pm

Hi Joyce, Lovely to hear from you. She is rather adorable. I hope you are still writing! x

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Julie link
23/11/2018 04:29:02 pm

Courage
One day at a time. A reminder to pay attention. You are a gift.

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Sonya
23/11/2018 04:33:41 pm

Thanks Julie. :-)

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Rochelle
6/12/2018 11:53:57 pm

I understand completely the Zuri shaped hole. I lost my 13.5 year old Dobe Sapphire 3 weeks ago today. My world fell to bits that day and Im never going to be able to put it back the same. I too live on my own. Ive been back home on my own for 8 days now and it is SO hard. The silence is deafening and often I just cannot cope with it. I have followed along with Gidget and WIllow with you- I am so pleased Willow is bringing you so much happiness. XX

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Sonya Bevan link
7/12/2018 05:22:06 pm

Hi Rochelle, Thanks for following us. It's such a hard time for you I'm sure. Still fresh and raw and lonely. I hope wonderful memories of Sapphire give you some comfort. x

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    Author

    Sonya Bevan is an avid dog lover with a Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy. This combination lead to seeking science based information on how to teach dogs and she commenced further study to complete a Diploma of Canine Behaviour Science and Technology. Dog training is both a science and an art. When based on solid principles of behavioural science,  teaching also allows creativity when applied to each unique dog. Most of all, it should be fun for both participants and a way to bond with these special animals we love so much.

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