A Fallen Comrade

I would be remiss if I didn't write this post, even though I would rather be doing just about anything else.

On Saturday morning we lost a very important member of our family, our dog Pearl. If you believe that I am about to be melodramatic, this would be a good time to move on.

It was one month ago that I wrote a post about a fantastic run we had done together in Sage Hills, and it is with an incredible amount of disbelief that I write this post. Her passing was sudden, traumatic, and heart breaking.

She was my shadow. Where I went, she went. If you saw me, you saw Pearl. She was protective, loyal, up for anything, and a true member of our family. The void and stillness in our home is stifling and we are marginally coping.

She left our lives in the same way she entered them- with unexpected momentum. After learning that our family foursome was now a threesome I travelled to Seattle for a work event and was surrounded by family and friends; a worthy distraction. And while I had not yet shared the news, I believe they sensed my heartache. They were kind, gentle, and gracious. And for that I am grateful.

I returned on Sunday, and found myself driving to the Humane Society to walk dogs. A terrible idea. In fact, perhaps the worst idea I've ever had. On the way there, one of my best friends called to see what I was doing, and when I told her, her only response was "I'll be right there."

She met me at the Humane Society and we walked dogs that I had no intention of adopting, because I didn't know what else to do. We cried and in a very strange way it was therapeutic. And for that I am grateful.

I'm also grateful to the people who have been sad right along with us. Pearl was truly "one of the girls" on our regular runs, and I've heard stories from many people about how much they enjoyed her. For that I am grateful.

You truly never know the impact of a companion until you live in the space without them. And that's where we are now. But, together we're slowly filling the void.

Goodbye Pearl. Thank you for choosing us.