she was the best

when i have houseguests, or when i am sad, i tend to neglect this online space of mine, which has been the case for the past several weeks i'm afraid. we loved having my brother and sister-in-law here for christmas and i will share about that this week, but today i'll get the sad bit written down.

a few nights before christmas, our dear sweet doggy ran into the road and was run over by a truck. completely sudden and shocking, she died instantly. i never knew losing a dog would hurt so so much. for years we have been wishing for a family dog and after much searching found carmen on craigslist - she needed a new home and was the perfect fit for us. she was full of energy, jumped hilariously high, loved to swim and chase balls and sticks, put up patiently with a toddler boy and his mischief, hung out with the chickens in the sunshine and loved to sneak into bed with ivy when she thought i wasn't looking. we got her in the spring and were not ready to say goodbye.

we held a ceremony and buriel in the field for her on christmas eve, all writing the things we loved about her on balloons and letting them go. ivy played a song on her flute and i read the poem she wrote (um, sob!)...
a difficult part of life, death. a reminder to hold every moment close to our hearts and live it fully.

the house seems so empty and i keep expecting to see her jump up when i come through the door.  we loved carmen so much and will always be happy for the time we spent with her in our family.

she was the best.

Comments

[Georgia]

I'm very sorry to hear that. We are missing our dear sweet Honey and it is sad (she's still in VT waiting clearance to be shipped out here...forms and stuff ups!) Animals are very special. They teach us all about love and loss. I am so sorry that you lost Carmen (and hope you buried her really deep as we had a cat dug up by foxes...). It is really hard to bear. Dogs and cars fill our lives and our homes and the emptiness is hard to deal with. Partly why we got a new kitten here after loosing Lilly over the summer. It really helps to fill the void. Kisses and hugs to you all.

[Zi]

....what a beautiful tribute and send off to a very special doggy. Am shedding tears reading this.... :(
Lots of love to you all xxxxxxx

[Amy]

I am so very, very sorry to hear of your loss.

[holly c.]

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Carmen! What a beautiful poem Ivy wrote.

Holly

[Sara]

Heart wrenching to lose a beloved pet! You gave her the best seasons of her life I'm sure.

[Kalle]

So sorry to hear about your sweet puppy. Wishing for peace for your sad hearts.

[Kirsten J]

Oh I'm sorry you lost such a good pet. It is the toughest part of loving. Hugs.

[Kaz]

I am so sorry for you and your family, hold them close, those poor little dears xxx

[debi cole]

Oh Em!!! huge hugs..losing a pet is sooo devastating! They truly become such a huge part of your fam.Even after a couple of years..running across a pic of my dog Jack brings a little ache. Im sooo sorry...hugs...

[Kari]

Losing puppers is a tough one, any time they have to go.
Sending you hugs and sweet thoughts of a renewing spring.

[Ellen]

I am so very sorry. No matter how old when they leave us, dogs never, ever live long enough. My heart goes out to you and the family.

[Virginia]

Oh sweetie, how sad for you all - sending you all the biggest hugs!

[Boho mom]

I am so sorry :(
We too, lost our family dog to a car in the road when my daughter was just 7. It's so difficult, I know. I think the beautiful memorial service, with notes and balloons sent up to the heavens is a fantastic idea. Your children have learned love and empathy and how to say goodbye in the most precious and healing way.
peace

[kat]

I am so, so sorry. It is heart wrenching to lose a pet, especially when you lived together for too short a time, and to deal with it with kids takes it to a whole other level. Sending you all lots of love

[Anne-Marie]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet Carmen. Dogs are such precious creatures - they just have a way of turning a house into a home.

[Patricia]

Oh so very heartbreaking...dog heaven is one of my favorite books about pet loss...

[Thinkie]

I'm sorry for your loss! We recently lost our bunny to cancer and it's so quiet in the house without her!

[judy in carefree]

I lost the first dog that was really mine about four years ago and my husband I talk about her often. I never thought I wanted another dog, but four months later we brought home two new dogs and later added a third. My boys are the light of my life and bring us so much joy! Nothing like three sweeties snuggling with you in your chair! I hope you find a new dog if and when the time is right. They are certainly a member of the family! I am so sorry your little family had to endure that at Christmas.

[ayla @ what? mermaids?]

i'm so sorry for the loss of your furry family member. it's so hard to lose a dear pet.

((even as an adult, the book "dog heaven" has been a comfort to me.))

[Lisa Warner]

So sad hearing this . I know how you feel. My sister said she'd never seen me cry like that when I had to say goodbye to our Susie.

[Erika Martin]

That's so sad. I'm so sorry for your family's loss of Carmen. Our fur-babies are a part of our family and losing them is so hard.

[Gayle Yates]

Hi Emily, when we lost our beloved Jack Russell "Tilly" to cancer back in Feb, we were devastated. Our vet sent us a card with the poem "Rainbow Bridge" in it, I sobbed as I tried to read it out loud to Reg. Too long for here, but google it. Our hearts couldn't heal till we got "Banjo" from K9 Rescue, he filled the hole Tilly left, but I still shed a tear for her. Much love, Gayle Yates

[Sherri P eh]

Em, I am so sad to hear you lost your sweet Carmen. I do understand the hole they leave in your heart. The cycle of life is hard to understand sometimes. Be well. XO

[Chelsea]

awwwww Em, so so sad. Love you guys x

[Rachel Mackin]

I'm so sorry to her about your loss.