Losing a Pet - In Memory of Lucy

Miss Lucy in 2021 in Bay View, Michigan.

A week ago my friend Betsy texted me with the heartbreaking news that her beloved Wire Fox Terrier Lucy, had crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  Losing a pet is awful and the memory of Lucy will remain with us forever.

Lucy was dainty yet feisty and barked at all the passing dogs.  Unlike Maisie’s purposeful loud obnoxious bark, Lucy’s was more feminine and muted. And Lucy had so many distinct Lucy looks. Her uneven ears and always curious eyes made me smile.

Lucy's walk was dainty almost like she were prancing. Tip-toeing down the street, she would stop for long stretches to sniff the scents left by other dogs.  Right behind her Wire Fox friend, Maisie would sniff and mark wherever Lucy had.

In her later years, Lucy slowed down even more than usual.

Betsy was frequently frustrated by Lucy’s choice of speed just as I frequently am annoyed by Winston’s languorous style. 

We humans would walk and chat while our canine companions were trying to slow us down so that they could catch up on the latest ‘pee-mail’ news.

I loved Lucy's facial expressions.

When Betsy texted that Lucy was gone I knew the pain and sadness that she was going through. 

Losing a pet is a terrible experience. I have lost two beloved cats I had had from kittenhood until they died at twenty.

Lucy as a one year old with her family.

After two decades of living with them the cats were my four legged children.  The emptiness and void they left could never be fully filled by any other cat.

Bouche and Amanda my beloved felines.

Bouche and Amanda were the first pets I had as an adult and we went through many adventures and sorrows together. I couldn't take another kitten but felt I could open my heart to an older feline.

While some people cannot consider another pet, I knew that our house was too quiet without an animal.  When Bouche and Amanda died I decided to focus on fostering and providing housing for old felines in need.  Though they didn’t last many years we gave them the love and medical attention that they needed.

Sweet Roux taking a nap under the covers.

After our last cat Roux died suddenly of a brain tumor, I couldn’t bear to have another cat in the house.   It was time to get my first dog.  Maisie is now nine and Winston is almost eight.  While I deeply loved my felines the type of joy I get from these two dogs is immeasurable.

Winston and Maisie my new canine children.

I know that when the time comes to say goodbye to Maisie and Winston I will be gutted just as Betsy was with Lucy.  I don’t know if Betsy will get another dog, and since we have many more years ahead of us with our two crazy Welsh, I am not contemplating my own future pet choices.

Taking a selfie with Lucy last summer.

If you have a pet that has embedded itself in your heart, there will be tremendous feelings of grief and loss when they die.   You have permission to grieve the loss of your pet.  Do not listen to anyone who thinks that a pet is ‘just a pet’.

If you know someone who is going through the of loss a pet, reach out to them just as you would if they lost a human companion.  Send them a condolences card or a note.

Lucy and Maisie were Terrier terrorists together.  They sniffed each other in greetings, warily summing each other up every time, before actively ignoring each other while Betsy and I talked or walked.  If we were on Betsy’s porch, Lucy and Maisie would bark at people passing by.

But even with their somewhat aloof behavior towards each other, Maisie always veered off the sidewalk and on to Lucy’s porch to see if she was home.  This was and always will be her friend’s house.

When we head back to Michigan this summer there will be no Lucy to greet them as we walk by Betsy’s house.  I wonder how Maisie will react?  Will she and Winston pull to search inside the house to look for her?  If I were a betting woman I would say they will.

Lucy and Betsy this past summer in Michigan.

Rest easy over the Rainbow Bridge Lucy - your jaunty ears and lovely face will be missed by all of us.

We will miss you Lucy see you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.