Pion Ista "tinydog" Gritter, 2005-2021

[mrissa]

Over the years this blog has shifted focus away from life stuff and toward...well, mostly books and poems. But occasionally a life thing is big and needs saying.

My dog died yesterday.

She would have been 16 in April. She had probably 14.5 years of being quite healthy and energetic, a year or so of having some arthritis and being a little more fragile, and then the last half year she was clearly an elderly dog. We couldn't let her go up and down the stairs any more--she sometimes fell, and it was only a matter of time until one of the falls hurt her if we'd let them continue. So we were blocking off the top or bottom of the stairs, depending, and carrying her up and down. A friend made her raised bowls to help with her arthritis, and we were feeding her soft food. We were doing all we could for her, and in the last few months I started thinking, maybe we should get old dogs from now on, we're really good at care for them.

I don't think that now. Because the care for them is not all there is, there's also losing them, and I don't think I could bear going through this over and over again without the springy young dog stages in between.

She was so smart. She was such a smart dog, and she was so communicative. And she was so loving. Toward the end, basically the only thing she wanted was to cuddle, and we did that a lot. We did that a lot.

I don't know how my days will be without this sweet little opinionated old lady dog. I have so much more to say about her. I wish I had so much more time with her.

Comments

[arkessian]

I'm so sorry to hear this. And you're right-- losing a loved pet without experiencing them in their spring days would probably be unbearably sad.

[landofnowhere]

Wow. I've been reading your blog since she was a puppy.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[watersword]

I'm so sorry. She sounds marvelous.

[jenett]

I'm so very sorry. She was such a lovely dog.

There's never ever enough time with them.

[sartorias]

I am so very sorry. It hurts so much, I know. I'm glad you were there to give her a joyful life full of the affection she deserved. It sounds like she gave that back with the open generosity that is such an ineffable part of dog nature.

[oursin]

So sorry for your loss.

[julian]

Oh, man.

I'm sorry that she's gone, but I'm glad you guys had the time together that you did.

[thistleingrey]

Ah, my condolences. I'm glad you and she had that time together.

[hawkwing_lb]

I am so sorry.

[okrablossom]

HUGS

[sovay]

Her memory for a blessing. I am sorry for your loss.

[carbonel]

I'm so sorry. Such a very fine opinionated dog.

[boxofdelights]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[swan_tower]

I heard so many stories about Ista over the years, I feel like I knew her. I'm so sorry to hear she's passed -- knowing that such things must eventually come doesn't make them easier. May the memories of the good times keep you warm.

[radiantfracture]

Just sorry to hear this, and glad she was so loved.

[athenais]

I am so sorry for your loss. I well remember when you got Ista. I wish I had met her.

[oracne]

I'm so sorry.

[rachelmanija]

Oh, no. I'm so so sorry.

[pameladean]

It's never enough time. It just never is.

P.

[arkuat]

My condolences. Ista was a wonderful dog.

[tigerflower]

I’m so sorry, M’ris. What a very excellent dog. I’m so very glad you had one another.

[ndrosen]

I’m sorry about your loss. I still miss a beagle I had decades ago, but I can say that it hurts less with time, and that there are good memories.

[umadoshi]

I was very much a lurker all those years ago, but I remember her arrival, and I've loved hearing about her over the years. So much sympathy. ;_;

[davidgoldfarb]

May you be comforted.

[sillylilly_bird]

Sleep soft, sweet Tinydog.

[adrian_turtle]

I am so very sorry. What a wonderful dog.

[phantom_wolfboy]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Pets are a blessing that is only given to us for a short period of time. You can at least take heart from the fact that she had a long, happy life and was loved by her people for as long as you had her.

[tarasacon]

I am so profoundly sorry for your loss.

[anef]

I'm very sorry. She clearly had a happy life, and you have many happy memories.