Molly Bids Adieu
We said goodbye to our sweet Miss Molly yesterday. If I ever make it to those pearly gates, I’m going to have a word with someone about the lifespan of dogs. It’s far too short and I’m not sure my heart can take any more holes.
Good Golly Miss Molly Dolly Lama left us just three months shy of her sixteenth birthday. She chased a ball and acted like a puppy right up until her last day.
Her gentle demeanour and big brown eyes won everyone over, and she never lost that wonderful sense of curiosity that kept us on our toes, and often had us laughing.
As a young dog, she had an affinity for socks and underthings. No one escaped her radar, especially visitors. If left alone with open guestroom doors, she’d collect bras and underwear, and proudly display them in the living room for all to see. Returning your guests’ underwear is one of those unique experiences you never imagined, when you brought your furball home.
When she got released from the twelve-step undergarment program, she got hooked on shoes. If we left her alone, she’d gather an oddball collection and keep them safe on the bed. She even managed to carry one of John’s dusty, steel-toed boots, complete with the unopened one-litre water bottle he’d shoved inside, up to the bed in the 5th wheel when we lived in Mexico.
The Cookie Hound
She was a cookie hound, which made her easy to train, and she unabashedly performed rollovers, indiscriminately shook paws, and begged with the best of them for the promise of a treat.
Molly could turn on the cute with a smile and a blink of her lashes, and was happy to show visitors her cookie jar. She’d adopt her most earnest look and gaze between the mark and her cookie jar, which usually shook free a cookie or two.
Other dogs and cats, however, weren’t fooled by the cute factor. They knew if Molly visited them, she would beeline it for their chow, and she enjodidn’t discriminate by brand or species. She’d clean out a budgie’s dish if she could reach it.
But she was also generous, and never minded sharing her own food dish, treats, beds or toys.
She’s the dog who sensed when you were sick or sad, and stayed close to keep you company.
We feel very fortunate to have had Molly’s company for so long. The house feels very empty without her, but we know she’s romping with her sister Soozie now. We imagine she’s having a blast meeting all the other pets and snarfing up an endless supply of tasty treats. Safe travels, little girl.
Do you know that feeling? Like you’ve just crossed the finish line of a gruelling marathon, but you’re the only one in the race. Hands on hips, you catch your breath as you look about and wonder, “What now?”
I know one couple who would disagree, at least as far as weddings are concerned, and they tell me they had their pick of church and reception venue bookings for that unluckiest of days.
It was a privilege to be there to help them celebrate their diamond anniversary … a celebration that spanned several days, thanks to some clandestine sibling planning, and the company of family and good friends.
