For those who have been following my personal soap opera, “Bella the Dying Dog That Would Not Die”, she finally goes down tomorrow.
When we had her sister buried last year I brought in a mini-backhoe to dig the hole, they’re Great Pyrenees dogs (think 100 pounds minimum) so it requires a big hole. When my friend did it he made a separate hole for Bella when the time came.
After the Spring thaw we’ve been having I discovered last weekend that said hole was full of water. Well, that blew last weekend. So through a minor miracle I had bought a pool cover water pump that I never wound up using. Ah ha! I had a beer for my good luck and proceeded outside to hook it up.
I felt a bond with the dough boys of the first World War as I slogged through the mud walking to my shed to grab an extension cord and a hose. Plug in extension cord, run it to the hole, and hook things up to make sure the pump works.
I realize the GFCI outlet breaker tripped the last time I used the outdoor outlet, kick the cat and slog from Verdun to the Somme to reset the breaker on the GFCI outlet. Slog back through the trenches under extreme artillery fire, replug things in. Success! Now to toss the pump in the hole, not an easy task because you’re holding it by the hose and slinging it in there. This should be an Olympic sport.
Soon water was being evacuated. Another beer was consumed in celebration. So tomorrow I get in the pit and try and love someone. I need to get in there to remove the ice that’s still down in there. It won’t be fun. I’ll likely get injured but if I’m lucky just very muddy. Dirt and water, after all, make mud. That’s not proper.
Pump any water remaining out and then in the early evening we’ll get her put down, bring her back and I’ll do the dirty deed with imported dirt, whatever I can get off the still semi-frozen pile next to the hole, a tarp and lots of rocks.
Once we fully dethaw my friend will come back with his mini-backhoe and finish the job.
Don’t cry for me Argentina, for my soul was already blackened burned long ago. As Yoda said, “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealously.”
My mother will be next. Six days, six weeks, six months, six years. I don’t know but I’m ready. I’ll let the pros handle that burial.
-SB
I know that you can't see me, but trust me I'm right here. Although I'm up in heaven, my love for you stays near.
So often I see you crying, many times you call my name. I want so much to lick your face and ease some of your pain.
I wish that I could make you see that Heaven indeed is real. If you could see me run and play, how much better you would feel.
But our loving God has promised me that when the time is right, You'll step out of the darkness and meet me in the light.
May your heart be at peace, SB.
A friend live in the NE many years ago. He expected his German Shepard to pass over the winter so he prepared a spot in the yard in the fall prior to the ground freezing over.
The Shepard took to sleeping in the hole when he was outside as it sheltered him from the wind and was sunny during the day. We were a little creeped out by that but he was happy outside and snug. He survived that winter and spring and finally passed in the summer. Give Bella a pat on the head for me.
Prayers to you and yours, my brother
Very entertaining story.
——except the part about your mother....yipes!