Monday, June 16, 2008

In Memoriam: Made'




(I have to tell someone who will understand, and who better than fellow animal lovers.)

Our beautiful (older) beagle girl Made' died in my arms Saturday morning. We are devastated.

Made' came to us by luck and by golly: Another dog guardian who had seen us in the park with our beagle Casey found us one day (stalking us on his bike, as he said) to say that he had to give up his lovely girl because they now had a baby in the household and did we know someone who might want a beagle so that he wouldn't have to blah blah blah. We said we would take her and did, and she was with us from the morning after that meeting for nearly six wonderful years.

Made' was 10 years 7 months and some days old. She was a dear sister to our now blind (SARDS, two years ago) beagle Casey, whom she protected so carefully and to whom she acted much in the role of a seeing-eye dog, and a loved companion of our cat Misha as well as being our darling dog-daughter.

She will be so missed.

Thanks for listening.

Love and hugs, River

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about Made's passing - we have a beagle too (and we feel much the same about Sadie as you felt for Made') and can't imagine how devastating it will be when she dies (she's 9 now).

You gave her 6 wonderful years, where she was loved and happy and safe. She died in the arms of someone she loved and trusted. I can't think of a more peaceful wasy to pass on than that. You are in my thoughts...

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

This is a wonderful, bittersweet tribute to your dog. My dog is very, very ill right now, and I am dreading the fact that she may be gone soon. I understand your pain.

Debbie said...

I'm so, so sorry. She looks like a very sweet girl indeed.

Debbie said...

River,

I have just recently discovered your blog, and have been enjoying reading it. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dog, Made'. Animals become as much a part of the family as human relatives and it's hard to let them go. It sounds like she had a good life with you.

Debbie

Anonymous said...

River:

I am so sorry to hear about Made'. I'm sending you love and hugs.

Jackie V.

Rural Vegan said...

River, I am so sorry for your loss. Made' was a beautiful beagle and I'm so glad that you adopted her that day in the park. I hope memories of the happy years you spent together bring you comfort. Hugs to you.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. I know from experience, with pets you tend to miss them more that you ever imagined. But the experience helps you to love the ones you still have even harder (if that's at all possible).

Carrie™ said...

Oh Pat. I am so, so sorry. Like columbus foodie said, she was with someone she loved and trusted. Prayers & thoughts to you and yours. My deepest, deepest sympathies.

MeloMeals said...

I am so so sorry for your loss... I know that dogs are such a huge part of family.. and losing a dog is just devastating.. *hugs* to all of you.

Anardana said...

So sorry to hear! One of my cats passed away a couple of months ago and it is still strange to not see her sleeping in her usual places. Sounds like your doggie had a good long life- especially because you took her in when she needed a home. *hugs*

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am so sorry that yo lost your beloved Made'. I still remember every detail of the day that our Rahni died, 15 years ago. You did such a good deed by adopting Made'; you probably extended her life. Please know that we're sending you many hugs.

River said...

Thank you all so very very much for your lovely thoughts. It is just short of an hour to make it two weeks since we lost our beautiful girl. It has been and continues to be so very very hard.

Our little blind beagle Casey is completely bewildered, but she is coping after a fashion, and we are giving her lots of attention. The proble is that the two dogs were inseparable from the moment they met. This closeness became even more important to Casey after she went blind (SARDS) two years ago, and sometimes it is particularly poignant when, out walking now, Casey will stop and wait for that shoulder nudge from Made' to tell her it's okay to go a certain way. She searches for her little friend every time we come in from a walk - just in case she's come back - tail waving, scurrying around sniffing everywhere. Then she sits down and whimpers. Cookies don't quite substitute. And we won't be ready to think about another companion for her for a while yet, I'm afraid.Misha the cat does his best, but he's not Made' - and he misses her too in his little cat way. They cuddled together, all three, a lot.

So, if she knew, Casey would also you for your kind words. And perhaps even her cat :) Hugs to you all.