This is my dog Mandy. She passed away in her sleep a few weeks ago. For some reason, I have been thinking about her a lot today. I wasn't able to publish her picture the day I needed to, so I wanted to do that today. She was almost 12 years old (her birthday is Jan. 7). I miss her every day.
She had a sweet temperament and was a real marshmallow, but at the same time, she was more than willing to protect her family. More times than I care to remember, she got between me and my husband, taking kicks and punches that were intended for me.
When we adopted my son, I worried that Mandy would be jealous, as she was getting on in years, but she absorbed him into her "pack" immediately. Mandy was always afraid of the water, but whenever we were at the beach, she was no more than an arms length from Brennan, protecting him from his own fearlessness, slogging through the water at his side, shaking in mortal terror, but never once leaving his side. At home, she always positioned herself between him and the road, and even "herded" him a few times when she got uncomfortable with where he was headed.
Mandy's mother was a beautiful purebred silver Siberian Husky with ice-blue eyes. Her father was the neighbourhood mutt, who was mostly Border collie. The family who owned Mandy's mom had delivered the litter to the local animal shelter to be adopted out, or destroyed. We got Mandy after only four months of marriage, when things were still pretty good between us. The rest of the litter, we found out later, was euthanized because of overcrowding at the animal shelter. If we had been one day later, Mandy would've suffered the same fate. It is no exaggeration when I tell you that I doubt I would've survived my marriage without having her with me. She was my comfort, my physical and emotional security, more times than I care to count.
I could go on and on about my wonderful girl, but no one would want to read it except me, and I have my memories of Mandy to keep her close to my heart. Mandy, baby girl, I will always love you and never forget you. You were the best part of my life for so many years. Such a good, good girl.
8 comments:
Glad you shared your thoughts about your special friend. We call them pets, but they are so much more.
They are friends and confidants, and they love us no matter what.
Thank you for sharing Coco. They mean so much to us and are such a huge part of our lives these creatures that give us this unconditional love. I know what you mean about the stories--I have bored folks often enough with ones about Ling and Molly. The memories are such sweet comfort to me. Your girl will always be with you.
From the mind of Meribah:
This is a nice post, Coco. Thanks for sharing your sweet Mandy with us. Sounds like she truly was your guardian angel. Hugs!
Aww Coco...thanks for letting the burn flood over my eyes as I thought of my collie, Berwick.
Hugs honey!
Oh Coco...wipes eyes...I love my pets, the one that is with me now and all the others that have left me, but will be waiting to greet me when I join them once again. And so it will be with you and your beautiful Mandy. I add my thanks and hugs to Mandy for protecting you and precious Brennan. I am so sorry for your loss, hon.
Love,
Sue
*sobs
I'm glad Mandy was there for you. There is nothing like the unconditional love and loyalty of a dog. And Mandy was a true hero.
She's waiting........
Love-Lynn
*sniff sniff*
Coco- thank you for sharing this with us. Unconditional love is an amazing thing, no matter the source. You had that with this beautiful creature.
You're very lucky.
I had a cat named Sage forever...I got her when I was 14 and we finally put her to sleep a few years ago. It's hard letting go...
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