A Year and Ten Days

A year and ten days ago, my love was with me.  We were still "us."  A team.  Best friends.  Lovers. How time flies.  Doesn't seem that long ago that Suzy was always by my side.  How difficult those last days were.  Seeing her decline day-after-day, almost minute-by-minute.  Shrinking.  Having more trouble walking yet bravely enduring the "saddle sling" in which I lifted her in and out of the house.  It was hard.  On both of us.


Yet we persevered.  We knew our time was quickly slipping away.  The grim reaper loomed large and unrelating right outside our door.  As Suzy declined so did my spirits.  When she died so did part of me.


I worried how "the end" would finally arrive.  Would I have to put her down to stop her suffering, this magnificent creature who had been with me, through thick and thin, for the past 13 years?  She came to me at 13 months, the divison of a couple who was divorcing and gave her back to the breeder.  She was then advertised through the sheltie rescue team, with the breeder having final say of who "adopted" Suzy.


Of the many people who applied, I was chosen.  Mrs. Heck saw something in me that she wanted for Suzy.  Some connection that transcended simple care and kindness.  Something that told her I would be the best place for Suzy to share her life. 


We traveled to Vermont twice.  Tooled around country inns, town greens, Bingo parlors, tag sales and potluck suppers.  We hiked up Mt. Tom, wandered down winding roads and drove all around the Green Mountains.  We met so many friendly folks who welcomed us into their hearts and homes.  Suzy was a natural at making friends and paved the way for us to meet many wonderful folks along the way.


She helped me grow in so many ways:  emotionally, spiritually, profoundly. And I'd like to think I made her life happier, too.  From the hundreds of photos I took of  those laughing eyes, smiling lips, radiant energy, it appears so. 


A friend.  A mentor. A confidante. My second skin. Intimate shadow. Saint. Sprite. Light. My darling.  My true love.  How time has passed yet stood still since you left my life. 


But never my heart.

My Darling Suzy