Heart of My Heart II

I was more than unprepared when the older of my two dogs had three grand mal seizures all due to a brain tumor.  Molly passed in my arms in early September.  Her sister, Jessy James, the younger and larger of the two, had an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure.

 

Molly (left)  Jessy (right)

When Molly died suddenly, Jessy was lost.  She yearned for her partner, her biological sister who was one year her senior.  Jessy was the dominant of the two.  Molly was intense, clever and caught 99% of the balls tossed her way.  Jessy insisted on being first at everything, caught nothing and was always affectionate.  Molly never cared.  She played the role of mother to Jessy. She always guarded the door for me. 

They say experiences come into your life for a reason. Both Molly and Jessy were bundles of joy.  Energetic. They traveled well and endured eighteen months living in New Hampshire recently.  It is fair to say they were far better at adapting to New England winters than I.  I knew it was time to bring them home in January. 

Yesterday, Jessy's heart began to give out.  Her lungs filled with fluid.  Like Molly, three months before, Jessy died in my arms. 

I was honoured and privileged to care for these little buddies.  Letting them go was one of the hardest things I have ever done.  I loved them enough to release them.  It is hard to talk about their last days.  We have a lifetime of memories. Stored for a time when it is no longer so painful to remember.

I am grateful to have been allowed to care for them for so long.

Heart of my heart.