Saturday, June 28, 2008

What's Next, Daisy?

Daisy had a rough start. Before she turned two, she had already delivered a litter, been abandoned overnight at an animal shelter with her puppies, contracted heartworms, and was severely underweight. After we adopted her, we spent the next twelve years trying to make up for those first two. I like to think she’d say we did her alright.

Daisy left us last week. Our Crazy Daisy is gone.


The night she passed away, I lit a candle for her in our bedroom. Her bed was still on the floor next to our fireplace, where a few hours ago Daisy had taken her last nap. I put the candle in the fireplace, switched off the lights, and was stunned to see a sight we had never seen before. That single flame picked up the curling fleurs-de-lis pattern in the fireplace screen and projected a magnified silhouette of it across the entire room, floor to ceiling, and all four walls. In silence, we watched as the flame flickered, and the whole room came alive as the shadows tossed and swayed all around us. After nine years with us in that room, Daisy had left us one more surprise gift.

The next morning, we found two ducks swimming in our pool, a rare but not uncommon event. Since then however, one of both of them has returned every morning, waddling around, swimming a few laps, and generally resting in a patch of thick groundcover next to the pool. I went out yesterday and found a nest with 4 eggs in the groundcover, now up to 5 eggs after this morning’s visit. Could it be another Daisy surprise?

We didn't call her our lovable Crazy Daisy for nothing. Bye sweetie.

12 comments:

DawnB said...

so sorry to hear of your loss. We lost our Malik a little over a year ago. A true siberian Husky we had since he was a pup he was 14 we miss him.

The candle in the room that was so beutiful what a wonderful tribute.

Bye bye Daisy...you were truly loved.

Run For Life said...

Aww, it's always tough to lose a part of the family. It sounds like she had a beautiful life once she was adopted!

Runner Susan said...

Oh Rich, I'm so sorry. I'm glad she had a good life with you.

Deene said...

What a lovely companion. i'm sorry for your loss.

Black Knight said...

Very very sad post. I am really sorry. Now she is running in heaven.

peter said...

Aww, I'm sorry Rich. Daisy is obviously frolicking in doggie heaven.

Rhea said...

Rich - I am so sorry. You gave her a good life. It sounds like she was happy and content with your family, and I hope the end was painless and that she was surrounded by her family.

Iron Jayhawk said...

:( I'm so sorry to hear about Daisy. Sounds like you definitely did her well in the time she spent with you.

Sunshine said...

So happy for those good years with Daisy.. So sorry for your loss.

kara said...

What a peaceful, heartfelt eulogy. Thanks for sharing.
She is over the rainbow now playing with all our best pals.

Unknown said...

Good Lord, you're breaking my heart.

So sorry for your loss.

Bert said...

What a sad yet sweet & gentle tribute to Daisy. Really quite touching. It never ceases to amaze me what string bonds exist between people and their beloved dogs.