Two more hours, and my in-laws are due
to arrive. Lucy and I have just taken our last ride together. I found myself
saying all the things that needed to be said, that couldn’t be left unsaid. How
I loved her, and how I’d see her again soon, how she was just the best dog on
the face of the planet, how I couldn’t bring myself to take her to the vet, but
that loving, caring people would, how that she would see Princess and Buddy in
heaven, and Jesus would be there, and how that I’d love to see her again in this
life, if she chose to make one of those momentary, and unexplained appearances,
like my Buddy did.
I considered feeding her lunch, but
thought better of it. I didn’t want her to have an accident when the medication
was administered. The day before I had suggested my wife make a “going away”
cake for Lucy. While there was nothing to celebrate, I wanted to send my little
one off with some tribute for all the years she loved and served us so well.
This acknowledgment of our love also seemed good to Jean, and she baked her a
cake, and spread some white, thick vanilla icing across the top. And we
celebrated a life well-lived, and of course Lucy was rewarded with the first
slice, and Queenie, our newest addition, happily received the second slice.
I gave Lucy another slice of cake this
morning. No more worry about her gaining too much weight. The time was nearing
for Clarence and Sue to make their appearance, and I didn’t want to be here
when they arrived to escort my Lucy to the, well, you know.
As I was preparing to leave, Jean
suggested that I take Lucy outside. My pooch had just experienced the last bath
she would ever receive, and I escorted her to the front yard, and allowed her
to dry off in the sunlight. As soon as I draped the leash around her neck, and
clicked it in place, Lucy ran towards the front door. I made a remark out loud,
“Lucy, I don’t know why you’re in such
a hurry to leave us.” Of course, she may have simply thought, “I guess it’s
time to make a liquid deposit.” And after a bath no one had to beg her to take
care of that little job. I walked her out in the sun, and let her sit there,
while I stroked her short brown fur.
When Lucy was sufficiently dry, I
picked her up, and Jean and I walked her to the driveway, just behind our old
Nissan Sentra, and I offered my little canine friend one last farewell, as I
picked her up and loved on her one final time.
With this, my wife and I joined hands
and prayed, and gave thanks for the time we had enjoyed with Lucy. With one
final kiss on her forehead, and a “You were such a good dog” I got into my car.
Backing out of the driveway, I stole one last glance at my beloved pooch, as she
stood there seemingly oblivious to the fate which awaited her within the hour.
My wife told me later that Lucy
followed my car with her gaze ‘til I disappeared from sight. (She could have gone all day without telling me that).
By
William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "I Loved Lucy," Copyright 2017
If you wish to share, copy or save, please include the credit line, above
No comments:
Post a Comment