Well, today is graduation
day for my very best darling friend. Everyone told me I would know, and
I do. I write this with tears streaming down my cheeks knowing full well
that this is the toughest thing for me to do yet the most merciful thing
I can do for her. Lymphosarcoma has taken a huge toll on the quality of
her life. One more day or two will not make the decision any easier.
Mookie brought me joy beyond any
expectation I had of her. She has been by my side for almost 11 years.
She has made me laugh and now she is making me cry. I like to say she tamed
me. She taught me so much about love. I will always love her and always
miss her love, affection, devotion and exquisite beauty.
Standing 27" tall, 40" from the
tip of her nose to the tip of her tail, her milky blue eyes were frosting
on the cake. She was a stunner. No matter where we went, everyone wanted
to touch her, inquire about her. It was, however, her extraordinarily sweet
disposition that won my heart. I will miss her for the rest of my life.
The last few days of her life she
was clearly miserable. She was not the dog I had known for almost 11 years.
It was almost like she was saying, "I am ready for this to be over." That's
when I made the decision to put her to sleep.
I have grieved long and hard over
the past 48 hours and am doing better. There is healing in them thar tears.
My friend Bev Desalvo came from
Temple that morning and is still here for a few more hours. And many of
my neighbors spent the day loving Mookie and crying with me. Friends also
came from Emerald Bay and Tyler. They all caravaned over with me to the
vet.
My vet came out to the car so we
wouldn't have to move her now 83 pound body too much. He hugged me for
a long time and assured me that I had made the right decision. I wailed
a really long time. There were lots and lots of tears in the crowd. She
was gone in less than ten seconds.
The couple that clean my house were
there, and they were so precious. They cried like babies. The husband said,
"We loved her too." They are poor, yet they went into town, bought a silk
rose and a card and returned for Mookie's funeral service. Another neighbor
brought a flower-laden branch off her camelia bush to lay on her freshly
dug grave. Only months later, that branch has taken root on Mookie's grave.
All the neighbors I know were all there. It was quite a crowd.
My home builder made a beautiful
coffin for her. She was wrapped in a soft flannel floral sheet, and we
offered up prayers of thanksgiving for this precious, lovable creature
who loved and blessed everyone and who everyone loved. We sang Amazing
Grace and returned to my house for a little wake.
All in all, because of the presence
of friends and neighbors, it was a good as it gets under such circumstances.
She will always be a wonderful part of me. She was a marvelously cuddly
and cozy companion. It was a privilege to be her mama and her friend. She
tamed this wild child and taught me as much and maybe more about love,
patience and devotion than any human being ever did. And she taught me
something I never learned until she entered my life. At the age of 54,
she taught me to play. She was a gift from God. She will be deeply missed,
especially when the sun begins to set, because that's ball-playing time.
For Thomas, my precious pastor,
who graciously and sincerely offered to go with me to take Mookie to the
vet, you will never know how much that meant to me. I know how busy you
are and how much pressure you have on your shoulders right now. This is
why I didn't call you. The offer itself was healing to me. You are a remarkable
young man, a shining example of husband and father, teacher and wonderful
pastor. Thank you for being you. Thank you for your kind, generous and
sincere offer.
Mookie Tells Her Story Her Way:
