So sorry Noel. Losing a pet is devastating. That's one of the reasons we don't currently have any. It hurts.

Mike

manfromravcon.com

Thanks, Mike and Matt. Your understanding means a lot. So does everyone's. I'm very grateful. This a sad time in our home, and it will soon get a lot sadder. I was talking just yesterday with a friend who only keeps fish for this reason.

But, seeing Corradina and Daisy play, and just be happy with each other. will remain a treasured, wonderful memory long after the sorrow of Daisy's death has receded into softer, less painful memories. Even for my daughter.

Daisy never once minded being a pillow for Cory.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Mar 07, 2014 09:28:51

It’s over.

The story of the little lost dog who wasn’t lost anymore and the little lost girl who wasn’t lost anymore came to an end a lot sooner than we hoped. Their story began this way. The frightened, injured, emaciated, soggy, sick female English Pointer that happily ran up our driveway in a thunderstorm in the middle of June in 2011 is gone away again. Our daughter Corradina, who cried so un-consolably after she accidently loosed the dog who had just found her, has lost her dog again. But this time there’s no hope she’ll get her Daisy back any time soon. She’s been crying un-consolably again, but there’s no happy ending waiting for them in a few hours, like before. Corradina is not the only one crying this time.

I had thought for a long while that Daisy would run away a second time, would choose to be the vagabond dog she seemed to be when she found us. But she didn’t. We were all extra-careful after her improbable return to us. But Daisy slowly decided she belonged with us. She would sometimes slip her collar and run into the woods after deer, but only a few yards or so, and come back when called. We could let her out to use the yard, and she’d come right back. If there was a strong desire to run away again, Daisy never acted on it. And she became my daughter’s best friend, the way only a dog can be a best friend when best-friends are hard to come by, like for Corradina. We loved this little lost dog and she loved us in return, and she wasn’t lost anymore. Life for Daisy was as good as a dog’s life can be, especially when you’re loved by a girl like Corradina who loves with all her heart, without restraint or self-consciousness.

We didn’t get to celebrate Daisy’s third anniversary with us. But we took her to Walt Disney World. She had ice cream and ate sandwiches and cheeseburgers with us, and sometimes Salisbury steaks with gravy. She loved riding in cars, and we took her with us whenever we could. Daisy loved riding in cars so much, I’d sometimes take her for a ride for no reason, because she just asked so insistently, sitting hopefully at the garage door until I gave in. Sometimes, when a ride wasn’t possible and she was very persistent, I’d just let her sit in the car for an hour or two, until she was ready to get out. Oddly, Daisy never had any interest in looking out the windows. She was always content just to sit on the floor or seat next to me and curl up to sleep. She simply didn’t want to be left behind.

This last car ride was different for all of us. The disease that ultimately took her away from us was far more vicious than we thought. There was nothing that could be done to prolong her life. We couldn’t keep Daisy alive until school let out. There’ll be no warm summer-time walks for my daughter and her dog to enjoy together. No running around the yard in the dark after fireflies. No more sitting on the front porch steps watching the world go by. No more laying in the summer grass leaning on each other looking up at clouds.

Corradina took us by complete surprise. We had all carefully guarded the secret from her so she wouldn’t get prematurely upset. It turned out we didn’t have to tell he how sick her dog was. As we got ready to take Daisy for a few of her favorite things this time - a long ride in a car, a bacon-cheeseburger and ice cream - Corradina told us what we were doing. She had already seen how Daisy was weak and wasting away. She simply knew what this trip to the vet was for. The ride started out as sad and tearful as any can be, the two friends sitting side-by-side. Daisy ate her bacon-cheeseburger with all the satisfaction she always displayed, so much so we all gave her some of ours, too. Daisy was a very content dog right then. She refused the ice cream, which was a first for her. No matter, she was riding in a car, her belly was full and for a while, she was obviously happy and all was right in her world again. Corradina laughed heartily as many good memories washed away the sadness of this last car ride together with her dog. For a time, all was right in Corradina’s world again, too.

At the vet, we let Corradina lay on the blanket beside her dog, as she always did at home, while Daisy was lying awake for the last time. Then we all took turns holding and kissing Daisy as dreams of better days raced through her as she fell into permanent sleep.

There will be another dog in our home soon, and it is certain to be a rescue, another lost dog. And Corradina will love it too, as we all will. But I think maybe more than we will, as she always loved Daisy more, which is her special gift. Yet I wonder if she’ll hold something back from the new dog? Something that belongs only to Daisy? That special feeling that belongs exclusively to first dogs? You have your first dog but once. Daisy was Corradina’s first dog, and she was the best first dog I could ever have hoped my daughter to have. I only wish Daisy didn’t have to leave so soon, because Corradina is more than just a little lost again without her.

From now on Corradina will only sleep with Daisy in her dreams.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Mar 08, 2014 14:32:45

I'm so very sorry.

Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html

My sympathies, Noel. Better days ahead.

Thanks, everyone. I'm very grateful. We went out to dinner. No one here had any enthusiasm to eat at home tonight. I forgot how empty a house full of people can feel when your dog is gone.

I also want to thank everyone for allowing me to share these memories with you. Whether joyful or sorrowful, these are precious memories to me, and it means a lot that you are willing to read them.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thegreasemonkeyz

Good news, we will be up there Sat nite for Easter. I am bring the band and their immediate fam. Head count stands @ 16 for now that will be a total of 26 at Chez Noel. We do a sunrise service surf set that will be sure to please.

But for serious, hang in there Motorcicle season is upon us (as I watch the snow fall out my windows).

http://www.reverbnation.com/thegreasemonkeyz

Hang in there Noel my friend. Better days ahead!

Either you surf, or you fight.

Noel, you have one of the best, optimistic attitudes I've seen in a person in a long while. You're a very fine human being.

Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html