Xena, Warrior Princess and Sweet Little Chicken
We said good-bye to our dog this morning. She passed during the night lying next to Leo's bed. She just didn't wake up. She looked the way she had when I would have to go up and touch her to make sure she was still alive. I'd been doing that for so long that when I walked into the room after Cathy discovered her, I almost asked Gene if he was sure she'd died. She looked as sweet as ever and completely at piece. Death had come for her while she slept...just like I'd asked.
I knew it was coming. She was 14 and a half years old; already beating the odds for a Bassett Hound. She'd been acting strangely for the past couple of days since we returned from vacation and something told me it wouldn't be long. Last night I sat with her on the floor, told her I loved her and that it was okay to go. I went to bed and prayed that she'd go on her own; that she wouldn't need any intervention from us (or the vet). I'd been steeling myself for quite a while for this day. But still...
We'll get another dog...or two...probably sooner than later. If I had my way I'd wait but with two kids who have had dogs around them all their short lives, I don't think I have much of a choice. I wonder if they'd be good with a miniature horse; I hear they live 30+ years. Nah, a horse would definitely mark up the floors! I hear birds last a long time too but then you have to have a bird. No, I like birds OUTside my house. This way when they start chirping you can close the window and block out the sound.
No, it'll be a dog. I'd love to have a cat but I'm allergic, unfortunately. It's a cruel joke to make a cat lover cat allergic, but so it is. Yes, another dog. But it won't ever be another Chickie. She was, by far, the most gentle thing on Earth. She'd bark on the front lawn at other dogs to KEEP AWAY but when the dog ventured near her, she'd roll over onto her back and quiver! So funny! That's where "Chickie" came from. She was such a little chicken with other dogs that it just stuck. A warrior princess she was not but that's okay. Give me a Chickie over a Warrior any day!
The next couple of days will be hard on the kids and for us. Cathy walks in the door and yells "Chickie!" without fail. I think it will be a hard habit to break. Leo, like Gene, would often give her a little pat and mutter "who's a good Chickie?" anytime he walked past her. We told them about the meadow (you know, the one by the Rainbow Bridge?) and that helped. They're kids; they'll get over it and move on...fortunately...but there will be days or moments when something will make them think of her and they may cry or want to, but then it will pass and life will go on...it always does.
So to wax poetic, farewell sweet Chickie, you will be loved for ever and ever and ever. Tell Thorboy hello from us and have fun tipping over all those garbage cans 'cause Lord knows Heaven for Chickie is filled with tip-able garbage cans!!
BEAUTIFUL farewell!! xoxo
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