Yes, you were, Allis Ray. And we will miss you very much.
When Allis came into our lives in 1998, we had just unexpectedly lost another dog, probably the smartest dog we ever owned. That particular adjective would not apply to Allis, but a dozen other favorable ones would. She was a sweet companion, who is already sorely missed. Her spot on the kitchen floor is conspicuously empty as the evening begins to fall.
Fortunately, despite declining health, her last few months were mostly positive and the end this morning was a quick and peaceful one. Both were due to the skill and judgment of my veterinarian wife. Allis never had to leave the place she loved, drifting off in our arms as the sun was breaking the tree line. By eight this morning, she had taken her well-earned place in our animal cemetery, next to her father, her marker already prepared some months back.
As an energetic puppy, her early years of ‘terrorizing’ her father, chewing his ears, etc. earned her the sound-alike nickname of “Oh Mom I Been Rotten” at least a year before the real terrorist became a household name (at which point we dropped it). Much later, when Allis became the matriarch of our pack, I would give voice to her assurance: “I’ve been a good girl all my life!” Well, yes. for the most part. Better than most of us for sure.
So, sleep well, Allis. May you continue to chase the rabbits of your dreams.
Thank you for all the joy you brought into our lives. We love you.
Posted on July 30th, 2010 by jack-of-all-thumbs
Filed under: Family Life
My heart hurts for you, it is always hard to lose a pet. Hugs.
So sorry, but I know she had two people who gave her the best, and in that regard, she was a lucky dog. Miss T, Blind Woody, Z-man, and all the Bellefonte crew send their love.
Jack,
I’ve been watching your site for months, waiting for you to write again. I’ve missed the challenges, the conversation, the inspiration. I was so excited to see you show up on my reader and you wrote this…
Brilliant, touching, made me cry, dregged up all the memories of loss I’ve got boxed up and put away.
Sorry for your loss. Sounds like you had a great life together and that you are remembering that. Good on you!
Hope this is the start of more writing.
Miss the conversation…(guess I need to add my part.. .
There was a picture of a dog with her head draped across your legs…a shot you took yourself, judging by the angle, and it was posted last fall. That may have been Allis Ray. She looks like a real sweetheart. Thank you for writing about her.
It’s good to see you around the blogosphere again. What a lovely dog and you pay her proper homage with your words.
Ah, I just placed the line, My Fair Lady.
I, too, am glad to see you back at long last. And I sympathize with your loss; it never is easy to lose them.