Good Bye Old Friend

Basil.

While snuggled into my little ladies bed this evening, I was awakened by a loud knock at the door.

I struggled to answer it, because I am quite weary of strangers way out here by ourselves.

But they responded to my questions through the door and when they asked if I had three dogs I just knew.

Our old lady, the matriarch of the group, Basil.

She had been hit by a car.

A most undignified and gruesome way to end a beautiful life.

Hit by a car and left on the side of the road.

I didn't even get to cuddle her good bye and ease her pain, talk into her ear as she left.

To tell her how much she meant to us.

How much I loved her.

Can I say something about the people who came to my door...thank you.

The lady saw the dog and drove home to get her older kids and together they came to my door and told me.

Then they proceeded to remove her and helped by putting her in a safe place till morning.

They said I shouldn't see her so they did it all.

Can you imagine.

I am in awe that there are still people out there that help.

That cared enough to do something like that.

Thank you for not letting me wake up with the girls to that sight.

My first child, my truly best friend.

I have so many memories after 12 years it's hard to hold onto just one at this moment as I write in lieu of talking to anyone, because who wants to talk at 12:30 at night.

The dog the we bought because as soon as I saw her and her big feet and ears, looking like a little bear cub, I was sold.

Over the past few years she has been know as the stinky dog, due to a chronic ear infection.

K wouldn't even go near her and this is sadly how they will remember her.

But Basil's heart was so big.

She truly was the perfect dog, companion, friend.

She would listen as though she really understood.

She would nestle you and always be willing to take on all that we did with her.

She travelled everywhere with us and I have fond memories of all the places we have gone together.

She kept me company on many lonely nights when J was gone.

She took it in stride when she was demoted as the kids came along.

She was easy going when we kept bringing new puppies home and was kind enough to teach them the ropes.

The two other dogs will feel lost for a couple of days as I am sure I will.

I know I will look for her and call out her name by habit.

Darn it.

I could go on forever about her cuteness and funny things she did, my memory is full of goodness from her and that makes it a bit easier to accept.

I know she was old and we have had the talk about when it is enough and when she is gone, but this sucks.

I felt her time was getting close so I had been extra keen on giving her the attention she deserves but I feel so sad.

I never even hugged her today.

Although this morning while I drank my smoothie I watched her, in her new coat, lay in the back yard and just look around at things while she soaked up the morning sun.

This is how she leaves me today with the memory of her peacefulness.

Good bye dear friend.

Thank you for all the years you shared with us.