This isn't how I wanted my first post in a while to be.
Miss Memphis Belle passed away last night.
I brought all three dogs back out to the mines early this week. We were going to stay until it got too hot before going back to New Orleans.
Yesterday Belle was fine. And then suddenly she wasn't. She couldn't get up easily, couldn't walk straight, was anxious and distressed. I suspected poisoning or a stroke so I made a high-speed run to the closest emergency vet 60+ miles away. They evaluated her, decided that it was Canine Vestibular Disease, a condition affecting older dogs that would pass with rest and medication, and I brought her home. we spent the evening outside watching the sunset and then went in to bed. She slept right next to me, which she usually only did when she was scared, and I petted her and soothed her every time she stirred or whined. I was hoping the medicines would kick in and ease her discomfort but this morning she was gone. Looks like it was a brain bleed or tumor after all.
My Belle is gone.
I took her outside for a bit while I decided what to do next. Both Murphy and Merida lay down right next to her, much closer than they ever would have gotten in the past, since the dogs have always wanted their space, and they stayed with her until I took her into town for cremation.
There's a huge hole in my heart right now. But I remember that I was blessed by God with 9 wonderful years with this girl. She gave me nothing but love and obedience, and this is the first morning that I've woken up in her presence without her coming up to give me a gentle morning lick on the face. I'm going to miss those licks a lot.
Here's the first blog post from when I brought her home, end of November, 2013. That was West Virginia. Since then we've seen a lot of the country together. Michigan. New Orleans. And now, in the end, California. She was a blessing and a gift from Heaven and now there's another star in the sky, leading the way to that Rainbow Bridge where she'll be waiting with Lagniappe and Oliver until the day we're all reunited again.
Our last sunset together.
Murphy not leaving his sister. Faithful to the last.
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So sorry to hear. She must have been a wonderful companion. Condolences from Damsel and myself.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. All I can say is she was also a bit part of all your readers thanks to your stories and please believe we all of us will miss her too.
ReplyDeleteHere are some words that my dad gave to me when at ten years of age I lost my dog...
DeleteI still can't read them without tearing up...
The Power of the Dog
Rudyard Kipling
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumor, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But . . . you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.
We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve.
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
Prayers up for all in your household; wishing you to find what solace you may. Heartfelt condolences, Sir.
ReplyDeleteWhat thinkingman said, above. May the Lord comfort you as only He can, and may thoughts of Belle bring joy.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear of her passing. She was a good companion, loyal friend. I enjoyed hearing of your exploits with her.
ReplyDeleteMurph, I'm so sorry to hear about Belle. She was with you when she passed and I know that mattered to her (and to you). You both lived a lot of life together and I know she'll be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for you. My heartfelt condolences.
ReplyDeleteI paraphrase "we can only hope to be as good a person as our dog believes we are." Condolences. Respectfully, Alemaster
ReplyDeleteAlas, she was the sweetest girl when we ate cheeseburgers on the balcony.
ReplyDeleteYou have my deepest and most heartfelt condolences. Dogs all find their own spots in our hearts, and feels like they take a piece of our soul with them when they go. I hope the grief gives way to the fond memories sooner rather than later
ReplyDeleteMy daughter (25) lost her dog Hercules a couple of months ago.
ReplyDeleteIt tears a hole in you.
We planted peony plants at either end of his final resting spot. Whoever lives here after us will undoubtedly think it was a weird place to plant peonies, but for us it will help us remember him.
Hercules was all business. I hope God can keep him busy until Belladonna gets up there.
So sorry. I know the pain and the hurt of that kind of loss.
ReplyDeleteYou got my number if you need to talk.
B
My condolences. All pets create a space in our hearts nothing else can really replace.
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for your loss. You two truly blessed each other - You nursing her back to health from HW+, and she with wonderful companionship. Your readers were also enriched by your stories about her.
ReplyDeleteTerrible news. Murph. You have my most sincere condolences...
ReplyDeleteso sorry. lost our Oskar last year. so sudden but seems it was merciful--not painful
ReplyDeleteshe was so beautiful
God, Murph. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteOh man Murph, that's a tough situation to go through and I'm very saddened to read about your loss.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteNo, my dog used to gaze at me,
ReplyDeletepaying me the attention I need,
the attention required
to make a vain person like me understand
that, being a dog, he was wasting time,
but, with those eyes so much purer than mine,
he'd keep on gazing at me
with a look that reserved for me alone
all his sweet and shaggy life,
always near me, never troubling me,
and asking nothing.
-- Pablo Neruda
My sympathies. I've no words to ease the pain.
Oh Belle - I always loved the pictures of you. So glad you took her on that last trip and she had all of that alone time with you. It is so hard when they leave us - but she knew how loved she was. My heartfelt sympathies to you, Murphy and Merida.
ReplyDeleteStacy
The loss of such a special dog is difficult indeed. Been there, done that, have the scar to prove it.
ReplyDeleteI've been collecting poems since that day:
You'll Meet Me In The Light
I know that you can't see me
But trust me, I'm right here.
Although I'm up in Heaven,
My love for you stays near.
So often I see you crying,
Many times you call my name.
I want so much to lick your face,
And ease some of your pain.
I wish that I could make you see
That Heaven is indeed real.
If you could see me run and play,
How much better you would feel.
But our loving God has promised me,
That when the time is right.
You'll step into the darkness,
And meet me in the Light.
Don't know the author.
Diane
Crying now. So very sorry. She was a sweetie.
ReplyDeleteDamn. So sorry Murph. I loved that girl and I never even met her. You gave her a great life.
ReplyDeleteMurph,
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss. Pets are Family and losing Family members is always tough. Hang in there.
Aw no. I am so very sorry for you loss. Always enjoyed your stories with her and the others. Losing our pets is one of the worst pains there is.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. It is so difficult when they leave us but I firmly believe we meet up with them again.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere condolences. My wife and I have been down this road five times in the past 26 years. Our dogs are family in all ways. They love so unconditionally, much more than any human can.
ReplyDeleteFrom Borepatch and I, heartfelt condolences. He posted about it earlier today.
ReplyDeleteHey Murphy;
ReplyDeleteDamm, last thing I was expecting to write was a condolence comment to you. I am truly sorry to hear that, but what I believe and what I hope gives you comfort is that one day long in the future when you finally cross, lagniappe and Belle and all your other dogs will be waiting for you because heaven won't be perfect if they ain't there. Many condolences my friend.
While Belle was only part of your life, as Lagniappe and Oliver before her, you were her entire life, and you made it a good life for her. I am sorry to hear for your loss.
ReplyDeleteTo love is to hurt.
ReplyDeleteAlways tough. Lost our 16 year old beagle last year, still a hole..deepest condolences - but she loved and was loved
ReplyDeleteRAS
*hugs*
ReplyDeleteShe was a Good Girl. And she had the Best Person.
Very sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences. I’ve enjoyed reading about Belle, Murphy and Merida. I look forward to reading more when another dog finds you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this, I remember when she came into your life. May you always remember her, as I'm sure she will remember you. You'll be reunited someday, for now, remember the good times together.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is broken with you, brother.
Awwww SHIT! Not what I wanted to read. As the keeper of 3 ten-year-old dogs from a breed that seldom sees nine, you know it's coming but nothing prepares you. Your stories of your pack have brightened many a day. Remember your good times, it lessens the pain.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, she was a good pupper. May she be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for you!
ReplyDelete***Tears***. There's nothing like a good dog. I'm so sorry to hear about Miss Belle. I always loved reading your posts about her & Murphy. Just know that the pain gets easier... but you already know that. And that nothing helps heal the heart quicker than another pup. We lost 3 old timers in 2019, added a new pup to the family in 2020 who got us thru the 1st year of Covid and added another one in 2021 (because the other youngster was driving us out of our minds) before losing yet another old timer just a few months ago. Our last old timer's clock is ticking down waay too fast (oral cancer) and if it weren't for the two "pups," I don't know how we'd get through it. I'd say your Belle is having a good ol' time at the Rainbow Bridge, romping with my Chewbie, Ozzie, Brahms, and Mozart. And someday you'll be together again.
ReplyDeleteawwww man, this is the shits. No matter how many years we get, they are never enough. I often check your blog for updates on your current or next adventure you share with us...there are never any words adequate in this situation. I hope you find some comfort in the love you both shared with each other over those years.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I am sorry. I remember when you brought her home, asking for names for a lovely silver tipped lady. I'm glad she was with you and it was as quick as it may be. Godspeed Belle and good running
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDelete