Lady

I just wanted to post about my 'last time seeing Lady,' my dog. Because I'm going to Korea, and she is old (about 13) I may not see her again.

The second last time I saw her, Julian and I gave her a bath with warm water and brushed her, and took her to the watershed park to pick blackberries. She waded in the water and got her legs muddy. Julian commented that she knew the way to go. I told him how there are half a dozen entrances to the highschool, where there is open space to run. She knows them all and will jump on us if we pass by without stopping. She also 'forgets' where she lives at the end of a walk and tries to walk right past home because she wants more walk.

I went home yesterday (Tues Aug 9) to get my camera receipt and have lunch with parents. I almost forgot to say bye to Lady. I walked outside and she was dozing at the top of the deck stairs, her head pointed towards the back yard. I didn't really say anything, save for kissy noises. She was still clean from the bath (I would hope so!), a few stray hairs around the sides, and doggy breath. I ruffled her head and gave her hugs and smoothed out her ears. I gave her tons of kisses on the muzzle with an accompanying 'MUAH!!' with each one. She wiggled and smiled in dog fashion and licked me on the lips. I wiped it off and looked at my mom standing at the door.

"Jo's in a hurry!" my dad was saying. "She doesn't look like she's in a hurry" my mom said, observing bittersweetly. I am.. sorta, I said, and I turned just as Lady offered me a paw without being asked. She put it on top of my arm.

Because I didn't really say a proper goodbye to Beethovan, Lady's brother, I wanted to make sure I did this time and remembered every moment. She's still pretty spunky but even so, if she is still alive when I come back, I'll still consider it an exceptional bonus.

When Lady was a puppy, we put her in a cardboard box with her brother to take them home. Her brother was calm and easygoing and tried to climb out. Lady screamed and yelped. Lady was there when we played in the woods in Ontario as kids; she used to race me around the house. She was a lot more wild and energetic back then. It was particularly traumatic for her coming to BC on the plane. It was difficult for me to adjust to BC as well, and I think we both encouraged each other through that.

Both Lady and I love BC now, despite the many years it took to adjust. So I think there was definitely meaning and purpose in her doggy life and my human life coexisting. I love Lady and will remember her often and fondly.