Our little pup turns 1 today.
And what a year it’s been.
She is a pistol. My, oh my, how different she is from our first dog, Sophie. It’s been a real adjustment for me. I miss Sophie every single day, almost every minute. I think about her constantly, and though it’s been over a year since she died, I still can’t believe she’s gone. I talk to her out loud, imagining her in some doggie heaven, resting peacefully, watching all the other dogs run around while she remains civilized. And I tell Georgie about her sister all the time, too.
Patrick says he thinks we each loved Sophie a little differently. We both loved her quite intensely. We were that couple that treated her more like a human than a dog. But although Patrick loved Sophie very much as our dog, I loved Sophie as though she were my daughter. It rarely occurred to me that she was a dog. In fact, there’s an inside joke that came about when a person at Lion King tattled on Patrick, telling the stage manager that Patrick had a dog in his dressing room. Her priceless response “Sophie is NOT a dog” has become legendary. You can imagine the confused look on the other guy’s face.
It’s bittersweet sharing your life with an animal. There is an inherent contract you sign that says you will eventually have to say goodbye. Obviously, I knew Sophie would pass away before me. God forbid the opposite came true. But as much as I tried to prepare myself, I was not at all prepared when the moment finally came.
I really did not want another dog after Sophie died. There are numerous reasons why, but one of the reasons was I never wanted to feel the pain of losing a dog again. It was a decision to bring her into our lives; but I’ve had my share of frustration, mostly because she’s so different from Sophie. Unlike Sophie, Georgie is a DOG — all dog. She’s expressive and wonderful and funny and sweet, but definitely a dog — an inexhaustible puppy that drives me crazy. I was determined to make Patrick do all the work. I told him, “This is all you. You wanted her. You can deal with her.”
Ha! Like that worked! First of all, I’m a control freak; so I took over anyway. And also, damn it, I fell in love with Georgie despite my protestations. She recently had a really bad incident playing tug of war with her toy and slammed her head into the coffee table. She suffered a really severe concussion and was in critical shape for a few days. My heart broke. It was exactly the type of pain I wanted to avoid.
But if we didn’t have her we wouldn’t have all the joy she brings either. You can’t live your life sheltering yourself from pain at the expense of closing yourself off from joy. I know this, but it’s hard. My heart is still with Sophie. I still have her little face as the wallpaper on my phone. But my heart is also opening to Georgie. And ironically she’s a total Mommy’s girl. She’s always hugging on me, cuddling on me, and kissing on me.
She greets me first when we come home. It’s tragic and hilarious because it’s Patrick who was so excited to bring another dog into our lives. Patrick always jokes in her voice, “I only love my mommy.”
Oh Georgie girl, I love you, too. Sweet little animal who lives with us, I love you, too. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It’s only just begun. You’re going to have the best life ever! I’m gonna make sure of it.
Made me cry. Jerk. 😉
Happy birthday, Georgie!!!
Such a heartfelt tribute to both Sophie and Georgie Girl…lucky little dog indeed!
So well stated Paige, so straight-to-the-heart. Today en route to Max’s vet for a check up I asked Tom what we would do if our dog got really sick, and we were to lose him. Ever the practical person – he said, “Max is middle aged, we shouldn’t have to think about that for at least six more good years. And, we’ll decide what to do then, if and when, a long time from now.” (So I still worry of course; that’s my job!) Max has made a huge difference in our lives in the two years he’s been with us. And once you’ve loved a pet, you’ll always deeply understand the joy they bring. That understanding stays with you, and, we can be so grateful for it.
I remember Sophie. She was the sweetest thing. I held her in the green room at Central. She reminded me of my 4 little white balls of fur that I had left at home. She just cuddled up in my arms. I was really sad to hear of her death she was just so sweet. Georgie looks like a sweet little girl too. Here’s to many years with GG, Georgie Girl and more loving memories made every day with her. Happy birthday Georgie!
oh, how I can relate to this. We lost an adorable shin tzu about five years ago. I still think of her, probably not daily but at least weekly. I was dead set against getting a dog when she came into our lives, but she soon became my little girl. I often think of getting another, but am afraid it will have wait for a while until some situations change.
Happy birthday, sweet Georgie. May your (and your parents) lives be richly wonderful!
On January 19,2000 I lots my buddy Max. He was with me for 16 years. On that day I found Casey. She was a pure bread Golden Retriever and Daddy’s girl. I just love Goldens. I also love German Shepherds. I had move back in with my Mom and Dad to help Mom take care of Dad. Dad had pass away two months before Max. I thought that with me working nights a golden would be good for my mom. Couple of months after I got Casey a German Shepherd ran out of our old dog house. For the next four years that shepherd was spotted all over the neighborhood. She wouldn’t go near any one. Even the police couldn’t catch her. I counted about nine people who would feed her but still she did not trust anyone. I started tossing treats to her. German Shepherds have to accept you on there terms. She would take treats from my hand but if I reached for her she would run. It took me from May till late October before she would let me pat her. On Christmas day 2005 that shepherd walk into the house and laid on the living room floor. I named her Shadow because she spent the first half of her life in the shadows. Summer of 2010 was like most but I had no idea how sick Casey was. She didn’t show any signs. August 1. 2010 Casey Passed away. I was in total shock. It didn’t hit me till a month later that she was really gone. 45 days after loosing Casey I had to put Shadow down. She could no longer walk. The way she looked at me I knew it was time. Today I once again have a Golden and Shepherd. I have a big back yard. I love to watch them play. Not a day goes by that goes by I don’t miss Max, Casey and Shadow. Specially Casey she was daddy’s girl. They are with us for such a short time. I feel that when they do pass it just means that there is another dog that needs a home. Yes Abby, the golden I have now, is a daddy’e girl but not a replacement for Casey. The same goes for Morgan my Shepherd. Totally different personalties. They know when I’m down and are the first to comfort me.
Oh, how I can relate to this. We lost our wonderful shih tzu about five years ago. I have been very reluctant to get another dog even though I would love to have one. I was very against having a dog when she came into our lives. I was not going to let this little thing into my heart and life. Wrong! She soon wore me down and became my little shadow. Hopefully before too long I can welcome another pup and the joy they bring. Happy birthday, sweet Georgie. May you and your parents enjoy many long, happy years together.
Sorry about the double post. I’m a doofus.
It’s so hard when you lose a family member like that. As you say, it’s hard because, unlike human children, you know they’re going to go before you and that you’ll be responsible for allowing them to go with love and dignity. That’s a huge responsibility. It’s also an honor.
One of ours was recently diagnosed with diabetes. We almost lost him prior to his diagnosis. Even though now he’s doing very well, I know that the insulin will take its toll and shorten his life.
So I guess we’ll just make the most of every moment we have with him.
And just let me say again – damn that dog is cute.
Sherry
Paige…..this is BEYOND heartfelt….and I so relate! Our little buff Cocker Luke was out ‘third son’ and will be missed forever. Are your little girls Maltese’s? I think I want one. ;-). Happy birthday, Georgie!