Last night we said goodbye to our darling Nina. 14 years of rascally sweet behavior finally caught up with her, and it made her so tired. She had been through a pretty tough week after a few months of ups and downs, and yesterday she let us know that it was time.
We spent the day and evening saying goodbye to her, but as T said, we really started saying goodbye several months ago. Even Henry seemed to know she was leaving, and lay quietly just looking at her and touching her nose.
The vet made a house call and she went peacefully on her favorite bed. We all cried. T and I ate pasta with sauce from a jar and took her usual walk around the block, but emptyhanded. Last night I dreamed about her.
This morning, things seemed lonely around the apartment. There was no clickety-clacking of toenails, no bowl of food to fill, no wet nose poking around the shower curtain to check where we were. It's like we keep forgetting something.
The vet said that pets have a funny way of letting us know that they're still with us. There will come a day when we stop finding her fur in our food, and where I stop thinking I hear her shifting or sighing in the other room. I'm not ready for that day yet.
Wherever she is, there are thousands of slow-moving squirrels, acres of cheese and carrots and chicken bones, and soft things to curl up on everywhere. Her legs are strong and she can walk for miles. Belly rubs and ear scratches are given with abandon.
Nina dolly. Thank you for bringing us years and years of such sweetness. We love you so much.
Crying at my desk. I know she's running up there with all of our old beloved doggies and they are having a blast. Bye Schleppy.
Posted by: jenny | June 21, 2010 at 04:49 PM
Oh, thank you Jenny for these sweet words.
Posted by: Emily | June 21, 2010 at 06:21 PM
oh, Niner! :( I don't even usually like dogs, but Nina had me from that first ridiculous floppy-eared face-on-the-table pizza-beg at your old apartment by Sing Sing. Glad I read this at home, because I'm crying at my desk too. My thoughts are with all of you.
Posted by: BriAnne | June 21, 2010 at 08:35 PM
I'm reading your blog tonight and it's like losing Einstein all over again. My mom and I both cried this weekend talking about Nina. She was a good friend; she snuggled with me at night at let me hug her tight when I'd visit and miss Einey. I'm sure Nina-Beans and Einey-Weiney are feasting on cheese and treats somewhere right now. Remember that photo of them curled up like a black-and-yellow yin and yang?
Posted by: Christina | June 21, 2010 at 10:23 PM
My condolences.
And my thanks: for introducing me to Nina, for trusting Carol Helen and I to dispense the treats during your Spanish sojourn, for sharing this sad news so poignantly.
No doubt the squirrels do run slowly in the Great Beyond and no doubt in my soul that that Hereafter is one and the same for us all -- no canine ghetto "Doggy Heavens", no segregation of the soul, just one big Eternity where that which is eternal in everyone and everything that has lived and died rests and resides and awaits and abides until those of us left in this life manage to catch up.
And while she's waiting, I'm pretty sure Nina will be farting.
Posted by: the Colonel | June 22, 2010 at 12:58 PM
I was heartbroken when I got Trey's email- I'm so sorry to hear about Nina. Considering that I pray for ever animal that I see lying on the side of the road (I'm weird, I know), I firmly believe she's now in heaven chewing on all the chicken bones I wouldn't let her have when I dog sat. We had a bit of a rough time together due to my stupid trial (still sorry about your bathroom paint job), but she was incredibly sweet and I know how much joy she brought to your lives. Wish I could be there to give you all hugs.
Love,
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | June 23, 2010 at 06:49 PM
Over here from Balloon Juice, and I am in tears at my desk too. My 13 yo black lab Max may soon be running with Nina chasing those squirrels too.
Posted by: moe99 | June 25, 2010 at 01:06 PM
Crying at my desk. I did not know Nina nor any of you but I know what a horrible heartache it is to lose a cherished pet who shared so many years of your life.
Posted by: Gatsby | June 25, 2010 at 02:34 PM
I'm so sorry. Balloon Juice sent me and I hope if there's a Meadow, my three ferrets have found her and are dancing around her in greeting.
A.
Posted by: Athenae | June 25, 2010 at 07:21 PM
Oh I am so sorry. Am crying for Nina and for my own dogs. Thanks for the beautiful post. Your love for her is so amazing and true and I know she had a great life.
Posted by: Yuliya | June 26, 2010 at 10:40 AM