After

 

It will take a long time for it to feel normal or safe to leave food out on the counter. The Monk would have had these within moments of me walking out the door. 

Something else has occurred to me in the last few days. I've lost my main reason for procrastinating. I never fully realised how much time I spent sitting on my chair with a cup of tea or coffee just looking at Lucky. Being with him. Or not starting some tidying project I should be cracking on with because we're going out in an hour or so, and what's the point? Now, I have to clean. What a drag.

I went to work yesterday leaving the bedroom door open, something which would not have been possible before this past Friday. He would have been straight up there, rearranged the eight pillows into some perfect configuration to suit him, jumped in the middle, and settled in for the day.

So many huge interruptions to my routines, all of which revolved around him, and I miss every bit of it. Thinking about him, planning his day, timing everything I did in consideration of his needs, these were my joys. Now, they're gone with him. It's just the way of it, it's upsetting. It's how this goes, I know. I've been here before, and will be again.

But there are no regrets. We really did have a boy in a million. Such a dear dog, as one of his original family members once said to me. And one of the happiest thoughts I've had in the last few days is this: the majority of his personality and his huge way of being, his habits, all of the qualities that made him who he really was, almost all of that was just for John and I. All of the people out there in the town, even his friends, saw a big, beautiful, well behaved dog. A magnetic boy who everyone wanted to touch. But they didn't see most of him. The magic and brightness, the humour and silliness, the endless well of love and devotion. That was just for us, his family. All of that happened within these four walls. And I think it must be the same for everyone, and for all dogs. They are only truly themselves at home. Isn't that a happy thing to realise?

Rest In Peace

 

 

2013-2024

Lucky Lately

 

 

Lucky needs help getting to and from the park for comfort breaks, so exercise is a thing of the past. But he's still happy, still hungry, and he's loved beyond compare. Lucky is not done with this world yet!

Birthday Boy

This precious boy turned 11 today.

I couldn't love Lucky more. 

 

El Inocente

 

I call him "El Inocente", the innocent one. He's 10 1/2 now, but retains the childlike innocence and wonderment of a puppy. Everyone is a potential friend, albeit greeted with slightly less enthusiasm, every situation assumed to be safe and fun. This face is never cynical, never disappointed. 

In his life, Lucky hasn't known anything but happiness and niceness and love. Lucky thinks human hands can only impart affection and other good feelings. He has a good vocabulary of words and phrases he understands, and apart from two severe ones, "Dare you!" and "Lucky Harries Dagger!", they all fall into the categories of love, praise, and soothing. He has so many character traits and qualities, and every one of them is good; devotion, love, silliness, curiosity, humour, adventurousness, and mindfulness among them. His approach to living is an inspiration. He's a four legged life coach, the living embodiment of all that is good and worthwhile in life, and I've no doubt about one thing. My life wouldn't be where it is today if I'd never been given the chance to know and live with him. 

I said right this from the beginning, I wanted him to have a life with people, dog friends, going places and doing fun things. With minimal time spent home alone. A life of inclusion and coming with. And it's all happened. The life we've been able to give him has been the best possible life a city dog can have. And there's still more to come. 

I talk to him a lot, and these days, we're discussing our favourite things: love, happiness, and being together. I say to him "Lucky, these are the happy years."

Lucky At Twilight

 

   Lucky had his tenth birthday in July. His great-uncle, out first boy Truman, lived to the age of 11 1/2, which is the age Lucky will be in around 1 year. The slowing down process started a long time ago, and this year, we've seen the acceleration we were expecting.

   For many people, thinking about the impending end of a beloved pet's life is something to be avoided. I don't subscribe to this. I've lived every stage of Lucky's life fully and with open eyes, and I've intentionally borne in mind the fact that I would lose him one day. This is one of the things which keeps me present with him, living in the moment, and appreciating each wonderful day that we're able to spend together. 

   It also has the curious effect of seeming to slow time down, as I experienced fully in the happy last years of Truman's life. I was bereft when I lost him, but I had no regrets. I knew I hadn't wasted a single minute of his life. Since 2011 when Truman left, this sense of awareness of the timeline of life, Lucky's in particular, has sharpened. Part of the reason is my part-time working life and the increased time it allows me to be with him, but I think my age, I recently turned 60, is a bigger factor. The awareness of the fleeting nature of life, mindfulness of the importance of the moment, and a willingness to live intentionally and with love are all gifts which my time with Lucky has magnified.

   We're about to head up our favourite hill for our near-daily walk. It used to take 45 minutes round trip from our front door, even with all of the stopping to be with the friendly people who always gravitate to Lucky in admiration and kindness. It now takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, sometimes longer, and it's better. It's just one of my many times to fully be with him, and to completely live in the joy he brings to me, and the deep love I feel for him. 

   This was Lucky at 7am today. 

 

   

  

Catching Up

    

   I know it's been a long time since we've posted, but in truth, things have been so samey, good but samey, I haven't really had anything to report.

   But Lucky really did enjoy this last lockdown, maybe even more than the first. He and I were together constantly. And one happy result of cover is that I no longer work full time, so he and I have more time together than ever. He's really only home on his own on a Monday. His other Dad has his summer holidays starting in a week, and that's always a very happy time for Lucky. 

   But as he approaches his ninth birthday, he is slowing down for sure. We anticipated this, as he's so much bigger than the average Ridgie, but it's still sad to see. All we can do is focus on him, watch him and take every minute in. That's something we've always done. 

   Here is Lucky, the handsomest and sweetest of boys, lately.