I started this challenge of mine before I even made the resolution to do so. January 1st, I spent the entire day (practically the entire 24 hours of it) finishing The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is a really good book, but I never gave myself time to just sit down and read it. I've been working on it for months, but had only gotten 25% of it read. But, I finished it and then allowed myself to watch the movie. I'm glad I did because the book provided so much more than the movie did. I don't watch movies that have books that I want to read. It gets annoying since I'm so bad about finishing books.
Of course, some things, like finishing a project or finishing a book, are fun. These things make you feel good. They get you pumped up about finishing more tasks.
But then there are other things that you decide to bring to a close that break your heart. These are not good decisions to put off because they hurt the individuals involved. I had the unfortunate opportunity to make one of these decisions.
My sweet dog Toodles had been trying to tell me for quite some time that it was her time to go. I didn't listen for a long time. I nursed her, spoiled her with table food (just to get her to eat), I let her inside and let her sleep in the garage even though I wasn't supposed to do so. But it just breaking my heart to see her in so much pain, so yesterday we had her put to sleep. I know it was the right decision. We got to share 16 beautiful years with her. She was such a good friend, a good protector, a sweet sweet treasure. But, I am so glad that she passed on in my arms, wrapped in love rather than possibly suffering alone.
This one is actually an old one, but hopefully you can see the love.
This is the most recent picture of her sweetness. I took others, but to me they display the sadness and pain. This one is though is priceless. She had been deaf and partially blind for quite some time. Her sniffer worked wonderfully though, so she had to sniff EVERYTHING!!!
I miss her terribly, but I do take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain.
To bring this post to a brighter side, I do have some tatting:
This is the first three rounds of Marilee Rockley's Jubiloso doily. I had originally planned to do the entire doily, but this so cute and I think it is finished as is as a MOB (motif on button) for Livi's hairclip
When I took this picture, I remembered that I had tatted Jon's Sweetheart medallion so that I could put it around a button. I think I showed the motif in the last post, but I forgot to mention that I had altered the center for this purpose. :o)
The extent of my altering included not attaching to inner rings to one another, but rather attaching the their middle picot to the base of its neighboring inner ring. This created a smalled button hole in the middle. :o)
Hi, Jess,
ReplyDeleteSo sad... thinking of you and Toodles. This is always a difficult time, even when it is the right time for them to go. : (
xxooxx
Fox
My mom had to make the same decision for her dog, Sparkle Plenty, about a year ago. I know it was hard for her, but now she can talk about the fun she used to have with her playful pup without tearing up. I know you'll miss your Toodles, but I'm sure she's happier now.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Hunger Games! I read the whole trilogy in a week. The movie was okay, but anyone who watched the movie instead of reading the book missed out on something really good!
It's hard with pets to know when, had to put my Oscar dog down 3.5 years ago when he had a stroke...shoulda done it sooner but I couldn't. Still miss him. I am on a use it up, use what I have, finish what I've started mission this year as well...the house is full of stuff, I need to get that under control.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Tootles. It is a difficult time but know she is in a better place with no pain.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about Toodles. It's very hard to do. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the loss of your sweet Toodles. It is hard. Just remember the past 16 years filled with unconditional love.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
HJ
.
When I had to put my <3 dog, Mozel down I bawled like a baby. The receptionist at the vet's said "This is the hardest part of love." She always knows the right thing to say. It stinks that they don't live as long as we do. But, while they are here, they brighten our lives. And, I think, we brighten theirs. What better epitaph is there than "I loved and was loved."?
ReplyDeleteIt's always hard to lose a beloved pet; and it is the reason I won't have another - ever. I just can't go through it again.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures of Toodles, and your memories will be comforting - and didn't someone design a rather lovely pattern to commemorate a departed dog? - Pawprints on my Heart, but I don't remember whose pattern it is. It would look lovely in some of your special threads.
I am so sorry to hear about your dog, it's the hardest thing to do, I know I had a 16year old dog Shona she was a Lhasa apso, And then I had Haie and she became ill with cancer and I had to put her down, I still miss them both, take heart that she is out of pain and will be watching over you in haven. I hope you get a new god as they are so much a part of our lives.
ReplyDeleteLovely pieces of tatting, well done
Margaret
Your New Year Resolution makes perfect sense to me. Finishing is something I've become much better at, but there are still a few half-finished things lurking. So sorry about Toodles, it was brave of you to make that decision for her sake.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about Toodles, it can be hard to hear when a beloved friend says, "It is my time." But you did her a great kindness.
ReplyDeleteAnd your tattings are lovely. Very good start to your finishing resolution.
That motif is totally awesome!!! :)
ReplyDelete