BLOG2: Unexpected Day.

Day 2 June 19 2010 5:20 p.m.

What do you expect from a bright sunny day that you've been looking forward to for a long time!?
Today, I woke up so happy to start the day; I got in the shower, started dancing around, put on a sundress and thought it was just the most perfect morning! I have been waiting for this day to come around for quite some time now, all because of one thing... DOGFEST!!!!
It was supposed to be so much fun. I was even going to enter my puppy in a contest. So exciting right?
Wrong.
It's a good thing that I didn't enter her, because little did I know that today was actually not going to end up so perfect. In fact, it's been just the opposite. I never did get to go to the Dog Fest, because our family dog Rebecca just passed away. That's right, She's gone. She's part Husky, part Yellow Lab. She's 17 years old, in dog years and anyone who is a dog person knows that's pretty old for a dog. So of course we've all been dreading and expecting this day to come, but it just feels too soon? just a random summer day! Then again, are we ever really ready for this kind of thing to happen. Old or young, dog or human, it still hurts. She didn't even tell us something was wrong. or say goodbye to us. She did, however, have a GREAT last day! She was running around with my little pup, playing and active, this morning, then next thing we know we find her laying on the kitchen floor. How sad. My heart is aching. Two days before my birthday. She was such an Angel to this family. One of the best dogs we could ask for.
How can this hurt so much?
How can losing a dog make us feel so empty?
Well, Dogs are so loving. They care about us as their owners; In fact, I think they care so much that they don't want to hurt us by their pain, or death. They wait until no one is around or go somewhere to be in solitude. There is no warning, and no goodbye, they are just gone. And I am not saying this is all dogs. Rebecca always came to my dad when something was wrong or when she was injured, almost like she was saying "fix it, pack leader." But when it comes to their last moments on earth, they care so much about us. It brings joy to my heart, even in the sadness. So much joy that she really loved us and we REALLY Loved her. She lived a good life. A good life for a dog that is. Fully Happy... Fully healthy. Chased and hunted loads of backyard creatures. We will forever cherish her memories. We even have videos of her taped on our home movies. My favorite is the day we first rescued her from the pound at 4 years old. Not to mention, when she would get scared in thunderstorms and try to hide under the microwave, or in closets.
But hope is not lost. We have to cling to the memories when we lose our best friends. They will always be with us. And we can get new pets but nothing will ever replace them. We also need to stay focused on the good times ahead, because unfortunately life goes on.
I'm not saying you can't take time to grieve... That is totally okay, but don't miss out on your life for loss of theirs because that is not what they would want.
Tomorrow is fathers' day and Monday is my birthday. As sad as I am, I can't wait to be 20! Regardless, It IS going to be hard for a while to get used to not having her around... but I know that she is in a good place.
All this is a great reminder to take good care of your dogs, not that you don't, but please just let them know how much you love them, and give them a good life because we may live long, but we are their whole life, their whole world. I know there were times when Becca would get in our way and we would get so mad but we should have been more patient and kind with her. She didn't know what she was doing! And when they're gone, you look back on those times and wish you'd done things differently. I feel like I never gave Becca the attention she deserved and I always got frustrated with her being in my way. Now I wish I could go back in time and pet her more.
It's just like with a friend or a loved one. You never know what's going to happen at anytime, on any given day. I've lost a lot of people in my life, unexpectedly, and in different ways. These days can bring so many unexpected emotions, whether good or bad, happy or sad. So I just want to remind you all to just be careful and live each day with your pets to the fullest, in every way, whether it's just making sure you give them lots of love and pets, or taking them out to play often.
And Finally, Live your own lives to the fullest. Get closer to people you love, or take crazy risks and go on loads of adventures. Don't let a second pass you by, because anything can happen at any moment.
Lots of love
~Sunshine out.