Lillie
8March 8, 2014 by Laird
Lillie fell asleep in Jessica’s arms the other night on the way back in from the routine 2 A.M. walk. We knew then what was coming, but of course that doesn’t ever really help. I got the call this morning.
Lillie began life as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy with a heart condition. The vets gave her three to five years, max when my girlfriend Jessica’s family rescued her all those years ago. Tough, stubborn old girl, her eighteenth birthday was in November. Hell of a good run. Cantankerous, headstrong, and loyal, always loyal. She’s left a dog-shaped hole in our lives, but especially Jessica’s. Jess went down to Florida for a family visit in 2005 and Lillie jumped in the car and came back to New York–the dog refused to leave the car, so there wasn’t much choice. Jessica took the best care of her. She cut up the pills, hand-cooked special food, and walked Lillie every few hours, so she hasn’t had a full night’s sleep in a long time. Jessica would be the first to tell you, it was worth it.
See you around, Lil.
lairdbarron.wordpress.com 
Sorry…
Thank you.
Sorry for your loss. That sucks.
Thanks, Eric.
As the “father” of a 9 year old bijon/shih tzu mix, I empathize. At some point, in some households, a dog cesses to be a mere pet or chattel and morphs into a bona fide family member with whom deep familial bonds form. Grief is grief and loss is loss regardless of the cause. A bond is a bond.
You’ve said it. Thanks.
My sympathy for you and Jessica. I have been there with a dog who needed lots of extra care before. Hard work, and yes: absolutely well worth it.
Thank you, Beverly.