the most? Is Ash.
He cried and howled a lot today. He’s usually very quiet.
We made the right decision for Sam. I know that, seeing him at the end. Seeing his body relieved of the pain, remembering what he looked like that way. It had been a long time since I’d seen his body peacefully resting.
We were surrounded by loving friends yesterday afternoon as we lay Sam’s body to rest. When he arrived at the house, our vet smiled at Sam’s living wake. And we’ve received so many more wishes for comfort and healing since then. For our amazing friends–many of whom were Sam’s friends, too–I’m so very grateful.
But it takes time.
This afternoon we will lay our gentle Sam to rest.
Sam’s mobility has been declining for months now. As of yesterday morning, he can no longer stand on his own. It’s heartbreaking to watch him try and fall down. It’s time.
The photo above is one I took of him a couple of years ago at our first house, before his health began declining.
Sam’s lying in the shade now against the back fence. Nathan removed his collar last night. The children are upstairs napping, and our pup Ash is watching a blue jay drink from his water dish, now barking at Sam to get up and play. I wonder if any of them know?
We played outside with the kids this morning instead of doing our usual morning stuff inside. It was cloudy and breezy. Nathan got the biggest tail wags. Ben fed Sam some treats. Ben tried to call Sam to his food bowl. I explained to Ben that Sam’s legs no longer work, that he’s very old and his body is tired. I said that today is Sam’s last day with us. Ben looked at me for a long moment, quiet, then asked, “Does Sam have a penis?” ”Yes,” I said. Ben ran off to play.
Our wonderful hippie house calls vet will arrive at 3:30 this afternoon to help us say goodbye and lay Sam’s body to rest. Sam has been Nathan’s friend through many life transitions now, he’s been my friend as we started a family together, and he’ll be the first family dog that our son will remember.
Sweet dreams, Sam. May your spirit go quickly to the light.
In the car on the way home from preschool co-op today:
Me, to Ben: “Did you read books at co-op today?”
Ben: “Yeah.”
M: “Which ones did you read?”
B: “A Treasure. What a Treasure!. And Are You My Mother?, Mom.”
M: “Did you like them?”
B: “Yeah.”
M: “I like those books, too. Did you make a craft today?”
B: “Yeah.”
M: “What was it?”
B: “What was it?”
M: “I don’t know, I wasn’t there. I’m asking you what you made.”
B: “No, mom, I’m asking you.”
M: “Did you use paper and scissors?”
B: “No, mom, I used a glue stick (pronounced gwue stick), not paper and crayons. I used gwue sticks.” Said as if I’m the last person on the planet to know about gwue sticks.
M: “Oh, ok.”
B: “That’s enough questions, mom.”
Nuff said.
I scored a new-to-us sand and water table on Craigslist recently.
Ben and Maddie are spending lots of time playing with it in the backyard. The first time we used it, I brought out a handful of toy cars and trucks, and we used it as a car wash. Today I threw in a handful of kitchen items, which they used to scoop and pour the water.
(Now you know what kind of yogurt we buy.)
Over the weekend I finally assembled a set of plasma cars we received as a gift a long time ago (thanks, Jenn!), and the babes have been enjoying foot pedaling those around the yard, too. We’re soaking up as much outdoor play time as we can now, before summer arrives in full force. Although spring lasts well over a month more by the calendar, we’re already experiencing high temps of more than 90 degrees. Luckily our new backyard is well-shaded by a live oak and a bunch of cedar elms.
On Monday we adopted a puppy. We named him Ash. (We love the small helpless creatures around here, apparently.)
He looks like a shepherd mix to us. He was abandoned with three other pups.
Our old Dane Sam enjoys the young company, I think, and is being very patient with Ash.
So far, Ash is a very good pup. We’re working on crate training, house training, and puppy socialization, and he seems to be taking everything in stride.
Ben is absolutely over the moon for Ash, and he’s learning to be gentle with him. Maddie is very interested in him and all of his things, but is still not completely comfortable around him. I hope to get some photos of Ash playing with the children soon. I took these during human kid nap time today.
It’s straight to the tub after dinner.
