Marsha Smith

Not long ago I received an email from my brother and the one word subject “Rowdy” brought tears without opening the text, as I knew what it would confirm.

Rowdy is a huge black Labrador retriever, and has been my brother’s side kick, roommate, job dog and cousin to all the other family dogs for the past 13 years, and this email was letting me know that Rowdy’s wonderful life on earth had come to a close. As I read the text through teary eyes my heart smiled at its content; every dog should be so loved:      “Yesterday Rowdy and I took off and went to the 80 acres as that was a favorite for him. He stuck his nose in a lot of holes, chewed up some sticks, fell down a few times, chewed up a bone from not sure what and generally went where he wanted even though I had to carry him back up the hill, we left with dirt on his nose and him being absolutely spent of what energy he had left. We made peace and then drove to the vet and well you know the rest, he was very, very sick and I couldn’t see him suffer anymore. We’ve all done it but it never gets any easier, don’t need any replies just thought you would like to know.”

     Ironically just a few days before I received the email, a long time reader, Ginger Pommerville, sent me a poem entitled “A Dog’s Prayer.” Pommerville had sent the same poem several years ago and we published it then, and it deserves reprinting now.

 Being an avid dog lover I know all too well the heartbreak of losing devoted pets when their time comes and how important it is to let them go with love and dignity.

I also believe that every time one of our precious pets must leave us, they are opening the door for another of their pals to have a wonderful home, and there are so many. So please, the next time you face this heartbreak please don’t grieve too long, exchange that grief for love of another pet who needs the kind of life that Rowdy so enjoyed.