Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Honoring a departed furry friend

In the midst of reporting about all the fabulous things that went on during the Midwest Birding Symposium, I have to break the flow and address another topic.

Two weeks ago we lost one of our pups, Jupiter. She died in her sleep during the day, and we found her, peacefully gone, in her bed under the house when we got home from work that day. Needless to say, there is a hole in the fabric of our little rural family, but we are coping. She would have been 13 at the end of October. She is survived by her brother and litter-mate, Emmett.

Her death was not unexpected, but still a shock nonetheless. She had been experiencing periods of lethargy and just not being herself sporadically for the last few months, so we were prepared for the fact that her time on this earth was nearing its end. Ironically, she had just been to the vet days before, and the vet noticed nothing out of the ordinary during the routine physical (she was feeling pretty good that day).

We buried her up on the hill, alongside 2 cats that went before her, in our pet cemetery.

Here is a tribute in pictures to our sweet, lovely, beautiful girl.


Taking a nap in the snow


looking up at Dave


Perhaps a squirrel up in a tree caught their attention?


"Hi!"


Who doesn't like to hang out in a nice leaf pile? From the ring around her nose, looks like she had been digging recently.


I call this her "glamour shot."


Hanging out with me oh so briefly while I was taking pictures in the woods.


This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of Jupiter.


Family portrait, November 2008

Rest in peace sweet girl. We miss you.

15 comments:

FAB said...

A beautiful tribute to a dear friend. FAB

Kelly said...

...I really enjoyed meeting Jupiter this summer. She was a special. How is your other pup doing? A beautiful memorial...

Carol Mattingly said...

So so sorry you have lost your beloved pet. My prayers go out to you. Carol

James said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. I know how hard this is. Thanks for sharing her with this lovely tribute and beautiful pictures.

Meg said...

Hi Heather,
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Jupiter. Your pictorial tribute is beautiful and really captures her essence. We lost our Cassie last summer (she was 16) and I still miss that old hound dog, so I know how you must feel. May all your memories be happy ones.

Carol Mattingly said...

Heather I can't see my follower list but apparently you can so I guess I have a problem. I'll have to investigate it. Weird. Have a good evening.

Carol Mattingly said...

Heather I had to restore my system to a date this weekend and now the followers list is showing. Modern technology. Weird!

Heather said...

Frank, Kelly, Carol, James, and Meg - thank you so much for your kind words. They really mean a lot to myself and Dave. (and Emmett, too!

Kelly, Emmett is doing pretty well, thanks for asking. He's started licking a spot on his leg (he did the same thing after he had surgery on his ACL a few years back), so he's definitely stressed by it, but overall he seems to be his silly self.

Carol - Glad you figured out the glitch with your followers list.

Ginnymo said...

Oh Heather. I am so sorry that you lost your beautiful pet. I have tears looking at your pics. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. I'm just glad she went peacefully in a familiar spot. What a nice family photo you got too. Big hugs.

Heather said...

Ginny - Thanks so much for the nice comments and for the hugs.

Creative Cards said...

Oh Heather...I know what it's like to loose such an important part of the family. I loved your tribute such stunning and wonderful pictures. My thought and prayers go out to you and your husband. XO
Crista

Heather said...

Crista - Thank you very much, we really appreciate it.

NW Nature Nut said...

Heather, I am so sorry to hear this. I am crying reading the post as my sweet pup is 13 and getting old fast. I too worry her days are short and this post definitely touched a nerve. No matter how much I try to prepare for the inevidible, I know it will be hard when she goes. Take good care.

Mark said...

She looks like she was a real sweet dog, and a great friend. My condolences.

Heather said...

Oh Michele, I'm sorry I made you cry. I hope your Nina still has lots of good time left, as hopefully our Emmett does. Thanks for your caring.

Mark - She was indeed very near and dear to us. Thank you for your thoughts.