 |
| 26 Greatest loves of my life #atozchallenge |
Me: Before I found you I could feel you calling out to me.
Dog: Then why did you drive straight past the pet shop so many times?
I thought I was looking for a dog that needed rescuing.
You were. I guess most people don't think about pet shops as horror stories.
Then, when I finally found you, I was sure my new puppy was supposed to be a girl so I made you wait.
Worst night of my life.
Worst night of my life.
I'm sorry. By morning I knew I had to hurry back.
I shook all night long, and just imagined being curled up inside your belly.
 |
| 26 Greatest loves of my life #atozchallenge |
I was looking for you, I didn't know New Zealand was so far away.
It took me a long time to learn that we understood each other best when I didn't use words.
I can't believe all you wanted me to do was pee on the grass.
 |
| 26 Greatest loves of my life #atozchallenge |
Thanks for being there when I needed you most.
Thanks for all the walks, snacks and letting me lick you.
I hope my dreams about the future didn't make you feel like you had to go away.
Remember I had health problems, I was never meant to get old.
 |
| 26 Greatest loves of my life #atozchallenge |
I saw that car coming. Why didn't you stop when I yelled NO?
It was time to go. We were both ready... I wanted to go out with a bang!
That's not funny.
Really? Admit it. My timing was always perfect.
Ok I admit it. You could have warned me though.
I did. 3 times.
 |
| 26 Greatest loves of my life #atozchallenge |
I'm sorry I covered your face, before your last breath.
I felt safe, like I was in you. I just closed my eyes and went to sleep.
 |
| 26 Greatest loves of my life #atozchallenge |
 |
| Ashton 30/5/2005 - 30/5/2009 26 Greatest loves of my life. Dog #atozchallenge |
The day I brought Ashton home, I had a premonition that he would only live for 4 years. I expected him to be around much longer. These are all conversations I've had with him, either while he was alive or in my dreams.
The Captain found me a few weeks after Ashton died. If Ashton was still alive I would never have even entertained the idea of moving to the other side of the world. I might have rescued him when he was a pup, but he saved me too.
Have you got a love story of the non-human kind? Please share in the comments, I love to read them.
***
I'll be going away for the weekend so please expect replies to comments and visits to your blogs to be a little delayed.
***
I use #atozchallenge when sharing my favourite posts.
Like Reflex Reactions on Facebook
Follow @ReflexReactions on Twitter
Add me to your circles on Google+
Wow, I got teary and felt the love.
ReplyDeleteAshton lived a beautiful life, he shared it with you.
Precious memories.
I often say he (and other dogs) give up everything just to be with us... I did my best we both had a more beautiful life because of each other :)
DeleteOh my God. You must be so heartbroken as you write this post. So sorry
ReplyDelete. Ashton must have been so cute.
Hugs.
Munir -I cried for hours writing this post, even that makes me laugh now... :)
DeleteWhat a sweet tribute to a beloved pet. Parting with my 3 cats one by one was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. I still dream about them, so I know how you must feel. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHe is still very much a part of the family... I love those dreams - he's always so happy in them. I hope your dreams are nice too :)
DeleteYou made me cry. Thank you for sharing the whole story. For this challenge, my theme is dogs - every day a different story and I hope you can visit it. http://batteredhope.blogspot.com But I also want to refer you to a post on did regarding dog's health that I would love to talk to you about, if you like. The pics of your dog reminded me of so many I have helped. Here is that post as well http://batteredhope.blogspot.ca/2014/01/whats-in-your-dog-food.html#.Uz3sCijc_Vg
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol, I did have a few unanswered questions when it came to Ashotn, I have been reading (and commenting) on your blog and enjoying your theme very much - thanks for the links
DeleteI agree a natural diet is the best - Ashton got a lot of kangaroo meat and offal from the butchers... and of course we shared meals - he ate as well as I do most of the time...
DeleteWhat a sweet pup!
ReplyDeleteScared tiny little thing he was back then
DeleteA beautiful tribute to him, and what a cute dog he was.
ReplyDeleteThanks William
DeleteThat was really touching....a very beautiful conversation....you must be really missing him, don't you? He looks so cute and adorable.
ReplyDeleteWhen he first died I remember thinking my friends missed him more than I did... some of them cried more than I did. I don't really miss him - he is just a part of me... His death also provided me with a whole new type of freedom, one I didn't even know I was ready to explore, in many ways I now see his death as his ultimate gift to me. My bonus kids love seeing photos of him, and point out every dog they see to me... they ask for stories - they never met him but he is very much a part of their lives too.
DeleteThat's so touching and real...*hugs*
ReplyDelete~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!
Thanks Stri I love a good virtual hug
DeleteOh that was so sweet and so sad at the same time. A truly great love and reqarding companion for both of you. And how your life would have changed if the timing had been different. I never look back at the what if's because "what is" is where I want to be living as fully as I can. Thank you for such a tender memory and tribute to your beloved pet.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie, thats a good way to remind people that if's and maybe's are the stuff of dreams not reminiscence...
DeleteHi Ida .. what a lovely story - and how prescient .. happy and sad memories for you ... it's a wonder how life turns out isn't it ..
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend -cheers Hilary
Hi Ida .. just to jump in while I have a minute re the little houses - that coastline has been going backwards for decades .. it's life on the south coast and particularly on the east coast of England .. chalk and limestone just crumble ... there's a Roman villa under the sea at Eastbourne .. by the pier - I don't think much of it is left ... but it's just nature and this bit of our planet earth that is England .. there is more on erosion et al as I go through .. I haven't written all the posts yet .. so I'm sort of adding things in as I can -but trying to keep the posts short ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletecheers Hilary
Hi Hilary and thanks - nothing lasts forever right? Here in Denmark I have seen a church half buried on the west coast you can literally walk up to the steeple now... I imagine the GoldCoast in Australia will just be a memory one day too - I wonder if that is prescient too :D
DeleteThis was such a tender, tender story about deep love. Thanks Ida for writing about it. Your narration is so touching, comes straight from the writer's heart and goes to the reader's.
ReplyDeleteHi Beloo - Yes I can see how writing from the heart makes a big difference in the readers experience thank you for your heart felt comment :)
DeleteI think I just couldn't take my eyes off the pup :)
ReplyDeleteRandom Thoughts Naba
He needed a lot of love at that age...
DeleteReally your post made me wish that Ashton lived longer :( Loved how you wrote the thoughts of your pet
ReplyDeleteSwathi
Hi Swathi, thanks I'm pretty sure Ashton would have loved his thoughts being shared too :)
DeleteWhat an amazing story of love and belonging. You tugged at my heartstrings, Ida. Shedding a tear for the little one as I read this.
ReplyDeleteShailaja
A to Z Challenge, 2014
Introspection in Shades of 11
It is a story of belonging - great word - we belonged to each other. Thanks Shailaja
DeleteHe sounds like a wonderful character. So sad that he had to go so soon.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic
I think everyone thinks their dog is a wonderful character, my friends and family thought he was too :)
DeleteIda, big hugs to you. You had a wonderful few years with Ashton. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. It made me cry but I love your perspective on how he is a part of you.
ReplyDeleteHe is more a part of me now then when he was alive, now i know for sure what he means :)
DeleteMade me cry Ida.love the love u two have.
ReplyDeleteYour tears surprise me as much as mine did... the emotion I felt with him often took me by surprise though :)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOhh how beautiful... You words moved me.. The pictures are so cute...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts Rajlakshmi, I have lots but wish I had more pictures...
DeleteThat's a sweet sad story. He looks adorable.
ReplyDeleteI try to focus more on the sweet than the sad... truthfully I just feel grateful
DeleteNow you've gone and made me cry. I had a cat once. His name was Carson. I loved Carson so much. Then he got sick. Then he died. It was just three years. Way too short. A year after Carson left, my wife brought home a new kitten. At first I wanted nothing to do with this new kitten. I did not want to be hurt again by loss. Then I saw him. I could not resist. I knew Carson would be okay with me bringing Zooey into my life. So I did just that. Two years later, Zooey was diagnosed with the same thing which killed Carson. Luckily this time, we caught it in time, and now, twelve years later, Zooey is still hanging out and getting loved. I am sorry for your loss. I understand the pain and sorrow. I also understand the love that came during that short time together. Take care.
ReplyDeleteSee ya 'round the web. All Things Kevyn
I will be seeing you Kevyn, and thanks so much for sharing your Carson and Zooey's stories... I can't help but think that Carson's final gift to you was making you aware of Zooey's illness...I think love can be instant - the relationship develops over time but love is love - it doesn't have time constraints or need to be defined.
DeleteYou just made me want to get a dog again :| honestly Ida a very warm story of love :-)
ReplyDeleteRicha
You just made me feel like I might be ready for another dog again too. Thank you for your honesty Richa
DeleteSuch a cute dog. it sounds like you had a wonderful relationship with him ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteSuzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
xx
Thanks Suzanne - wonderful is a great word to describe our relationship
DeleteWhat a lovely post.. I loved it. And, the pictures were amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have another picture that I'll post some day - I don't know why it didn't make it here but I think it's the most amazing of all - thank you for commenting Belinda
DeleteAwee... such a cutie pie....
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheethal... I think it's cute that dogs can't fake the way they are feeling in photos
DeleteTotally unexpected. Totally sad. Totally love. And a different take on love at that. This was beautiful Ida. I've never "lost" a pet and I pray I don't have to any time soon. Hugs, to Ashton, wherever he is.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way Cristina, especially the unexpected part. The idea to include Ashton happened after I decided 26 boyfriends was going to involve too much digging around painful memories... this post made me cry and burst with love all at the same time.
Deleteawwww you made me have a feeling. Your guy looks like my little guy; Bailey. He's neurotic like his owners but i LOVE him!
ReplyDeleteThis reaction of feelings is making me want to write more... Bailey what a great name, I've been thinking of B names for my next dog, I like the drink too :)
DeleteWhat a touching post! I liked the way you made it into a dialogue with you and Ashton so we could imagine Ashton's thoughts and feelings, too. Made me sad but hopeful, too.
ReplyDeleteCatGraham
Writercat59 your CatGraham link is broken - not sure where the idea to write a dialogue came from, it just seemed the easiest way to convey both our thoughts. Thanks for letting me know how it made you feel. It means a lot to me.
DeleteIda, have been trying to get over to your blog all week. Busy-busy, as are You I see! I enjoyed hearing Ashton's story very much. I'm sorry he didn't live longer. So sweet hearing things from his point of view!
ReplyDeleteShells–Tales–Sails
I understand and appreciate the busy Sharon, thanks so much for finding the time.
DeleteHe was beautiful! The second but last pic is the one that got to me the most. Made me want to cry.
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the first pics I took of him after he got over his initial fears of everything.. I am pretty sure he is trying to work out why I am hiding my face :)
DeleteIt's hard to type when you can't see... beautiful and heart breaking and funny and sweet all rolled up into a tale of a white bundle of fur.
ReplyDeleteI still miss my dog, you've managed to convey the depth of relationship and bond we have with some of our animal, great piece of writing xxx
Ha I know that feeling Mars, not being able to see thru tears was one of the reasons this post took a lot longer to write than I expected... but how refreshing those tears felt. I am convinced that the best writing is achieved much like the best songs are sung - with feeling :)
DeleteOh! that's such a sweet and sad story and a fabulous tribute to Ashton! Love and Hugs!
ReplyDeleteShilpa Garg
Co-Host AJ's wHooligan for the A to Z Challenge 2014
Thanks Shilpa. Funny, even though I cried a lot writing it I don't feel sad - it is hard to admit his timing was perfect...
DeleteAwwww. I got my dog from a pet shop too. They discounted him because he was getting too old. I'd been on the fence whether or not to get a dog, but seeing him...he captured my heart. I will miss him too.
ReplyDeleteAshton was about 4 months old - I have no doubt he would have been dumped if he wasn't sold that weekend... My friends used to call him the luckiest boy on the earth, I'm guessing your's is a lucky dog too :)
DeleteIve read this three times and it makes me cry every time....skip and I have been together four years. E is 14now and I dread the day we part.
ReplyDeleteYou would laugh at me as much as I do if you saw how much I cried while writing this post - I remember apologising to Ash for having to treat him like a dog... but I had no choice. If I had have expected his love to last my lifetime a part of me would have died with him - by acknowledging his lifespan the day I brought him home a part of him will always just live with me :)
DeleteSuch a heartfelt story of your dog ...am sure wherever Ashton is you are being remembered :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kajal, you put a smile on my face, I hadn't thought of him remembering me in such simple terms... of course this is a shared moment for us - I just know it now :)
DeleteTears. Thank you for sharing this. It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks modifiededitingservices.com - easy to write beautifully about beautiful.
DeleteThis made me cry and squeeze Baxter (who's on my lap) just that little bit tighter. He turns 4 in July...
ReplyDeleteSo happy that Baxter got an extra squeeze because of Ashton - every dog deserves that bit of extra love and attention
DeleteLike most commenters here, I cried too! What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know how it made you feel seezooeyrun... I have been quite overwhelmed by everyone's emotional reaction to this story - including mine
DeleteMy dear human, Ida,
ReplyDeleteA story of the bond between a beloved dog and a precious human. You have witnessed the unconditional, non-judgemental love we animals share with humanity. If only more would listen to the lessons we try to teach.
Ashton, always loved, never forgotten. Bless you, dear human.
Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!
Dear Penny and Gary, I thought of you both as I wrote this... I'm glad you found your way here and had the last word - indeed the world would be a better place if we listened to the lessons animals are trying to teach us :)
DeleteTears here. They wind their paws deep into our heart strings - and take a piece of us with them when they leave. And we are still richer for knowing them.
ReplyDeleteMy cat Medlyn (known in the family as bucket bladder) has been gone for over ten years now - and I still miss him. Badly. There are other much loved cats in my life, and I miss him still.
Dear Elephant's child I am feeling paws plucking my heartstrings just reading your analogy and I hope your Badly turns to Fond memories before too much longer. Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts. I love the name Medlyn and bucket bladder deserves an explanation. :)
DeleteMedlyn was an enchanting cat - but very, very naughty too. If he felt neglected, slighted or treated badly he used his bladder as a weapon. Talk on the phone too long - he would march down to the bathroom, pull the towels from the rail and piddle on them. He disliked house guests and would defile their suitcase first chance he got - and he didn't matter how often people were warned they ALWAYS left the door open just long enough...
DeleteHow funny. I can't stop thinking about how I would deal with my suitcase being defiled by bucket bladder. I hope he stayed off the carpets. Thanks so much for sharing - I had a good giggle.
Delete