The grief I have felt over losing our dog, Ricki, has taken me by surprise and, taken me longer than I expected to get over.
It took me about 6 weeks but I finally washed her bedding, folded up her crate and put it away.
When memories pop-up on Facebook or Timehop the ache re-surfaces and I miss her all over again.
One particularly poignant moment occurred when all three of my men – meaning my husband and teenagers – went out of town at the same time. I was getting into bed that first night and realized that Ricki wasn’t there to warn me if someone broke in during the night. And, since her sidekick, Lucy, is deaf I knew she would sleep through any potential trouble.
Little things and moments still occur to remind me of the loss and, at those times, it surprises me how much I miss her sweet face.
When I saw today’s daily prompt – shallow – the first thing I thought of was Ricki playing in the water. She loved to run straight into lakes or creeks, swim out a little then come back and play in the shallow water.
But, I can’t really discount the joy of running in shallow snow, either. Nothing like a little wintry weather in Texas to get us excited and hyped up.
Finally, just because this picture makes me laugh I’m including it. In what turned out to be her last ‘photo shoot’ I got an image of what looks like Ricki smiling but, the grandkids looking a little picture-weary.
A great dog who joined our family as a puppy, we loved her dearly. Full of life and energy, with two different colored eyes, the softest ears ever, and a black, cold, wet nose. A nose that she would affectionately ‘goose’ us with – particularly when we were wearing shorts. Yow! Her personality was sweet and outgoing and she was ever-so-patient with all those around, especially children. She loved to be loved and was never shy about asking people to pet her. With a keen awareness of human emotion she instinctively knew if we were happy, sad, sick or excited – and would stay near no matter the circumstances. When no one was looking she hopped on beds and pretended to be totally innocent when we walked in the room. And, she relished joining the fun no matter who was jumping on the trampoline. If anyone was hugging – or dancing – Ricki would stand on her hind legs so she could also be part of the action. And, if you played the harmonica she would howl until the raucous stopped. She had a ferocious bark but never harmed one person. She loved to run free off the leash and right into the lake, river or creek – and even the snow – but she always came right back. Wanting to experience a little freedom she never once drifted too far away from us. Whenever we came home she always ran up to the gate to greet us.
My Crazy Graced Life 