Lucy's Story

The noises came in the middle of the night.  I didn't get up to investigate, but my fur-sister Roxie did, and so did My Person and My Lady.  There was a lot of banging and shouting - I was afraid, so I pretended I was still asleep.  "Open the door or I'll smash your face in!" a voice yelled from outside.  The voice was mean-sounding and scary, and it wouldn't stop.  It was yelling words I couldn't understand.

"Call 911!" I heard My Person say.  I could sense his fear and wanted to help...but my back legs were so sore...and my bed was so comfortable.  The noises got quieter, then stopped.  I did a big yawn and tried to blink the gunk out of my eyes.

Suddenly there was a loud thud from the next room.  I heard my sister Roxie whine.  What was happening?  The smell of the house had changed - something was wrong.  Minutes passed, and I tried to go help, but my legs kept giving out beneath me.  Why were there strangers in my house?  Where were they taking My Lady?

My Lady didn't come back the next day, or the next.  And something was wrong with My Person.  Roxie and I licked his hands, nudged at his legs, but we couldn't make it better.  People came to the house, lots of people - some I knew, some I didn't.  Some of them brought big platters and covered containers that smelled really good...but I couldn't eat.  I didn't know why.  My chest felt tight and the goop in my eyes was worse.

And somewhere deep down inside, I knew My Lady was not coming back.

Everyone sat around the table and talked in quiet voices, and The Girl sat beside me.  I did not even lift my head to look at her, or thump my tail when she talked to me.  I didn't care.  She tried to wipe my eyes with a wet cloth, but I wanted to be left alone.  As I walked to the door to be let outside, I couldn't make it and I went all over the kitchen floor.  I didn't mean to.

Dogs have dignity, too, you know.  I had just lost mine, and I was ashamed.  I wouldn't look My Person in the eyes after that - I had done a bad thing.

I hung out in the back room for the rest of the day.  I was so thirsty, but when I tried to drink, it would come right back up.  Something was wrong.  The Girl and The Boy loaded me in the car and took me to the vet.  I don't like going there, but the doctor was kind and gentle, and I thumped my tail as he poked me with needles and spoke quietly to me.

Days passed.  The Girl and Boy visited sometimes, and so did My Person.  For him, I managed to get to my feet and say hello.  But as soon as he left, I couldn't anymore.  I was so tired.

I knew that my sister Roxie would look out for My Person.  She could be annoying sometimes, but she was smart, and she was loyal.  He would be okay with her.


For those of you who don't believe in the Rainbow Bridge, I can assure you that it exists.  And now I am with My Lady again.  We watch TV together like we used to, and I thump thump thump my tail while she scratches my ears.  My legs don't hurt anymore...I can even run again.  I miss My Person, but I'll see him again one day.  And until then, I'll be here, waiting, with My Lady.  Thump thump thump.

I feel a little weird about sharing this, but writing helps me cope - maybe this will help you too.  Three weeks ago, a drunk stranger tried to break into my husband's grandparents' house.  He had no idea who they were, but threatened to steal their car and physically harm them.  In the middle of calling the police, my husband's grandma collapsed with a heart attack and passed away a few hours later.  She was 68 and a wonderful woman.  Four days later, their 8-year-old Lab Lucy died of kidney failure...and a broken heart.  This is her story.