I felt the air shift. For four straight days female peep didn’t wear makeup, she blew her nose a lot, and I saw tears drip from her eyes all the time. Oh, she went through the motions—she made meals, made phone calls, went to work a little—but no mascara.
And she ate saltine crackers. She never eats saltine crackers.
She took a whole sleeve of them, a tub of butter, and the big plastic jar of creamy peanut butter and stood there, taking out one cracker at a time. She slathered butter on it, smeared it with a swath of peanut butter, then handed it to Rex. He got three or four for every one she ate.
It was at this point that something shifted in me. And it wasn’t just the air in our house for that long, long week. It was my feelings for this female peep. She was taking care of Rex like he was her baby. Like a mommy would care for her young. She held his face in her hands and kissed his muzzle. She petted his soft, silky fur and whispered to him how much she loved him. She looked into his eyes and saw how much he trusted her to do what was right. As much as any person could love an animal, she loved him.
And that’s why it made it so hard to do the next thing we all knew she needed to do.
* * *
LIKE FREE STUFF? Me too, and I have a secret to share with you. Female peep is writing a book about me and she’s going to give away free copies when it’s released later this year. Want to be a lucky winner? Just comment DIRECTLY on this BLOG SITE and you’ll receive one chance in the drawing for EVERY comment you’ve made since I started posting the “Something to Chew On” series. It won’t be long before my posts on LAA will be finished, so the more comments you make, the more chances you’ll have. Woof!
Oh, BJ and Charlie Bear, what a difficult time–and for Charile to tell the story is brilliant, a beautiful way to describe your feelings. I’m hurting for you all over again…not that the pain has ever ended, I know…love, Jean
Jean,
It is so very hard, especially on female peep. She says Rex is her “baby.” I can see where she’d think that. Rex is very tuned in to her. Thank you for your kind words.
Little woofs,
Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear, you have such a sensitive spirit…so intuned. Thank you for sharing with us.
Julie,
I’m trying to stay very tuned in to both Dad and Female Peep. I think they need me right now. It’s tough on them. Really tough. Thanks for your kind words.
Woofs and little wiggles,
Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear is such a dear.
He brings each day, words of cheer.
How could he be without his dear Rex.
This thought is so dreary and makes me fret.
Yet all will be well when next time I view,
Uplifting thoughts from a doggie like you!
Dear General Kat,
What a beautiful poem! Thank you SOOO much. My female peep loves it dearly and I do too. You are so very special. Thank you.
Woofs to you,
Charlie Bear
Dear Charlie Bear,
I had to bark at you again and tell you to have your peep go to my lady’s horse blog: http://www.horsefactsbymarshahubler.wordpress.com where she bares her soul about her favorite Rex in the whole world. She still misses him, and he’s gone over 20 years. Read about him at that blog and see his pictures.
Yours truly with love, Honey Bunny
Honey Bunny,
Your mommy’s little blood bay Rex looks like he was a beautiful horse. I’m sure he’s over the Rainbow Bridge. I hear they have horses and ducks and all other kinds of stuff up there besides dogs like you and me. And I hear it is so very pretty.
Hugs for your mommy, Honey Bunny.
Woofs,
Charlie Bear
I’m bawling…for you, and for the memories of having this difficult task to do myself.
Meredith,
It is never easy to lose someone….a furry loved friend…a female or male peep…a loved family member. It’s one of the hardest things ever. I think because we love so much we cry so hard. I’m going to do my best to lick female peeps tears away. I hope you have someone to help you with yours.
Woofs,
Charlie Bear
Oh, dear Charlie Bear,
My lady tells me about the tears she’s shed over other furkids she’s loved. There’s her little Westie, Tyler, and her little terrier, Teddy, and others who have gone over the Rainbow Bridge. She says she cried like a baby when they had to leave, but she tells me she’s going to cry harder than ever when I have to leave because she loves me so much. I’m fourteen, and she sometimes hugs me like it will be my last, but even though I’m deaf and my eyes are failing, I’m still here for her. Love your peeps more than ever. They sure do need you now.
Yours truly, Honey Bunny
Honey Bunny,
Oh, I’m sorry your mommy lost Tyler and Teddy. I know she doesn’t want to lose you too…but I’ll bet when we do go, that Rainbow Bridge is going to be beautiful. I will give both my peeps extra loving — the most I can — and try to be the bestest dog I can manage right now.
Woofs to you,
Charlie Bear
B J & Charlie Bear, so sorry to hear that Rex is still so sick, but guess he knows when he had rather leave and go to a place where there is no sickness. Just help peep mom take care of him and if he wants some of your food just be good & let him have it. Stand by her side and let her pet & love on Rex as long as he is around, but you know he could get well for all of your peep moms friends will pray that if it Gods will he will be like the begger in the Bible; “he’ll rise up & walk/run”, he can you know. Be good Charlie Bear, & stand by & help peep mom all you can, and keep us posted on Rex.
Love & Prayers,
Beaugie..
Beaugie,
I hate to see Rex like this. I want to learn more from him, watch him interact with the world, have him teach me more things about life. I’ve got a good start, though. And you are right. He could get better. We will all pray. I’ll put my little paws together at night and say some special words for Rex, and for female peep who is really, really sad. Thanks for your sweet words and your prayers.
Woofs to you, Beaugie,
Charlie Bear
Rex, May your last thoughts be of peanut butter, saltines, and your female peeps loving gaze.
Carrie,
I just know Rex will be thinking of peanut butter (he loves it) and saltines (he adores any bread-type stuff) and of female peep for sure. Thank you for your kind words.
Woofs to you,
Charlie Bear & B.J.
B.J.,
Am so sorry that your time with Rex is ending — physically. But I can’t imagine that he won’t be looking over you and Charlie Bear and your husband. Dogs have such amazing, loving souls. And if you have to help Rex, I know how hard that is but, like my vet says, our pets depend on us to help them when they can no longer live a good life.
My Emmy has grieved after two dogs left us. The first time, after Sarah died,she was so seriously depressed I had to stop my own grieving to get her through it. The second time she grieved, too, but thank goodness, must have realized that Gino was leaving us before I took him to the vet that final time.
I never feel like I have enough time with a dog even though I had Sarah for 15 years. You may feel the same way. But oh, that time is so golden.
Barbara Cameron
Barbara,
Your last line…”Oh, that time is so golden” was preciious to hear. My time with my beautiful Rex (Golden Lab) has always been special. I know every dog owner says this about their dogs but Rex is super special to me. A different dog in many, many ways. And new pup Charlie Bear is such an opposite. : ) Grieving and understanding that this is part of our love for our beloved friends. Thank you.
B.J.
Hi, BJ & Charlie Bearm Love your blog!
BJ and Charlie, you will be in my prayers.
Susan
Susan,
Thank you for your prayers. They are needed and very welcome.
Hugs,
Charlie Bear and B.J.
Marianne,
Thank you.
Love,
Charlie Bear