“I don’t want a dog,” I told Honey. Our dog has died after a difficult episode of seizures. She was 14 years old, living with us since she was 8 weeks old. It broke my heart when she passed. Those big ShihTzu eyes looked at me in pain, begging for help, but there was nothing we could do except relieve her suffering by having her put down.āI cried for weeks.
Dixie was the best little dog ever – so cute, so smart. She knew all the basic obedience commands, but also did other tricks, like “Sit Pretty” where she sat up on her hind legs, “High Five” where she stood up on her hind legs and gave you five with her front legs. She could even “Roll Over”
She was a part of our family, slept in our bed at night. She loved to go for walks in the neighborhood and charmed the neighbors. She had her own car dog seat in the car and looked forward to going along wherever we went. She like to eat out so we went to restaurants that had dog-friendly patios. Her favorite was “Five Guys” as they put two patties on the burgers, one for the human and one for her. She liked vacations, especially State Parks with hiking trails and new smells to explore. She liked the beach and barked at the waves. She played with our two cats and they took naps together. She did not have a canine job like guarding or herding. Her breed’s only job is to be a loyal pet, and she did it very well.
Honey, continues to agitate. He wants another dog. “No more pets!” I plead. Can’t we just live a peaceful pet-free life? We pet and play with other people’s dogs. Pets are trouble. You have to board them or find someone to take care of them if you want to go on a vacation. They make messes that have to be cleaned up; they shed and leave fur on clothes and furniture. ShihTzus have hair instead of fur and have to go to the groomer. There are trips to the vet for shots and checkups. And if they get sick, which they all do sooner or later, the bills are a small fortune.
I can’t go through another painful loss. It is too hard. Her toys have been put away. Her dog-bed laundered, her dishes are gone. When we go somewhere, the dog seat is empty. At night we do not have to worry about her taking most of the bed. If we eat out, we no longer eat outside on the patio. There is a gapping hole in our life where Dixie used to be. Dogs do not live as long as humans. This is how it always ends.
Her creamations are in a wooden box on Honey’s desk. Her paw print and picture sit nearby. I made a donation to ASPCA to honor her memory. She was loved deeply and the grief is deep and painful to fill the place where the love once was.
There will never be another dog like Dixie.
Copyright 2024 Sheila Moss
Humor Columnist Blog 
Oh Sheila, I am so sorry for the loss of your fur-baby. My last two cats are gone, but I cannot bear to get another. They have been gone for a couple years and I still grieve and cry. I totally understand where you are coming from. Peace.
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Sorry for your loss. It is hard to get over such a loss and to some extent we never do. You can never replace your pets, but I hope in time you will heal and the pain will lessen.
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Iām sorry for your loss. We all grieve in different ways though we have suffered this sort of sadness too. It is hard. Remember the good times.
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Thank you for the kind words. I hate the pain, but at the same time I wouldn’t want to suffer such a loss and feel nothing.
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Be good to yourself.
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So sorry for your loss.
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Thank you. I know you are a dog lover and enjoy your blog.
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I feel your loss. Eventually you may want to get another dog, but grieve Dixie as long as you need to! Theyāre simply the best –
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Thank you. I miss her a lot.
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How sad! You’ll always miss her, but one day the pain will be less. But, remember that recovery from a crisis/grief is a one day at a time process. Don’t try to rush it, just feel it and keep moving forward.
Sharon Dillon
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Thank you, Sharon. That is some good advice for anyone experiencing grief.
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I think that might be a tough decision to keep as you and your Husband are grieving in opposite ways. Let your Husband get a pet but put full responsibility on him. Maybe, something other than a dog. You are right when you say No one will ever be like Dixie but think of all the animals that need homes and are willing to return love to you.
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I hadn’t thought of it that way. I guess I am being selfish. Thanks for your comments.
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I’m so sorry. I lost one of my favorite cats 3 years ago and still miss her. I still have 4 cats so it’s not a quiet house but I miss Mollie.
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I think we get closer to some pets than others. I still miss Little Cat who comforted me when my first husband passed 30 years ago. We mourned together and that created a really strong bond.
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Itās okay to grieve and take time to heal. Itās also okay to not want another pet. Everyone deals with loss in their own way.
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Thanks. I know grief heals in its own time and can’t be rushed. I appreciate your understanding.
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Nice post āļø
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Thanks for reading.
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