Oh guys!
My brain is mush.
Two weeks ago Dylan Dog passed away.
It’s been hard to bounce back.
She was everywhere here.
And into EVERYTHING.
When I was in the washroom,
(doing what one considers private stuff),
she would push open the door with her nose
to see where on earth I was
and what on earth I was doing.
Then out she would go,
leaving the door wide open for all to see.
It never entered my mind to lock the door.
How would she then get in?
We brought our pup home over 14 years ago.
We chose her because she wasn’t the bitey one (we called him bitey)
or the crazy one…we called him…?
Well we didn’t really have a name for crazy.
7 days after bringing her home
she became bitey.
Ok and a little bit crazy!
She was my first baby.
I had big expectations.
Once I called Jason, who was busy at work, in tears
because she wasn’t walking nicely
like I felt she should.
I laugh when I think of me then.
That girl, with her expectations of things.
Dylan was my first teacher,
the kids picked up from there.
Dylan was AMAZING at puppy training.
Even though I do say so myself,
we were top of the class.
People would whisper “what a good puppy”.
I pretended not to hear – but I heard.
Then I had a baby.
This interrupted our walking schedule a little.
My pup wasn’t quite such the easy girl on walks.
She loved people …a little toooo much.
She hated other dogs ….a little toooo much too.
Still we made it work.
I am an expert at crossing the road.
Dylan liked to dig holes in the yard.
Jason nearly broke his foot,
tripping on said Dylan hole’s.
We did fill them.
But as I said she liked to dig.
Yes, Dylan was a girl.
I know, I know – but we liked the name.
We would say it was Dylanna – which meant born from the waves
(I really should double check that one day).
Her name was only really Dylanna when she was naughty.
Like pulling a whole roast chicken off the kitchen counter,
stealing our friends camera and
sneaking onto our bed when we weren’t home.
You should have seen the smile on her face though,
she could beam so hard.
For she had done something very clever indeed.
Dylan had a sweet spot.
Right at the top of her chest.
If you rubbed there you had a friend for life.
Well at least until you stopped.
You could throw a ball for her.
I mean she would never bring it back.
But she would chase it if you threw it.
It seemed to make you happy.
What you were expecting after that was all in your head,
as far as she could tell.
Dylan was a great swimmer.
She hated it, probably the husky and shepherd part for the hatred.
The lab part made her good.
If you swam out too far she would save you.
What do you mean you don’t want saving?
I am here to save you – now swim back to shore please!
Round and round me she would swim.
Follow me mum – shore is here.
SHORE IS HERE.
I would have to give up after a while.
Ok Dill – I’m coming.
Dylan, Dill..Dill, Dill Pickle, Sweet Girl.
All the names.
Sometimes;
Not now Dylan.
Or
You want out again Dylan?
Good girl Dylan.
Good girl.
Those were my last words to her.
I didn’t know those were her last moments with us.
You ok, girl?
That’s it girl…sh…sh…mumma’s here.
You’re a good girl.
On the floor at the end of our bed.
She took her last breaths.
I was in the office.
I couldn’t sleep.
I should have known
…but I thought I had more time.
She was such an old girl.
You can’t ride her!
I would tell the kids…
she’s an 88 year old woman.
She still runs with me though Mum, Poppy would say.
And blow me if she always would.
She would always run alongside,
even a few weeks before the end.
That’s where I picture you now Old Girl.
Running off leash, digging your holes, eating all the roast chicken off the kitchen counter with the biggest smile on your face.
You’re a good girl Dylan.
Off you go!
CX