I have had many dogs come into my life. My love for my dogs is so special to me but at the same time so hard to explain. Each one of them has touched my heart in a different way. It all started with Daisy who was my best friend growing up. She came into my life when I was just four years old and left on my last day of grade school. It is kind of nice that way because she came when I was just beginning school and left when I finished that chapter of my life. She was with me to the end and words can not describe just how much that dog meant to me and just how important she was to me. I loved her more than anyone and she always made me smile. When she died it broke my heart. I couldn’t even think clearly and nothing could comfort me. Whenever I look back at the night Daisy died tears fill my eyes because that night was the hardest night of my life. I lost so much more than just a dog that night and words can not express my pain but somehow I pulled through.
Maybe part of the reason I recovered from such a painful loss was another dog who joined the family shortly after Daisy’s death. We named her Ruby and she amazed me everyday. Her intelligence and willingness to please made her a very obedient and trusting dog. My love for Ruby was growing and I felt threatened by it. Daisy would always be my favorite and nobody could replace her. I pushed Ruby away because I was afraid that because a strong bond was forming between me and her I would forget my first dog. I made a decision one day. I would love and enjoy Ruby but not as much as Daisy. I was still grieving and often told myself I would do anything to get Daisy back. I would also say things like I love Ruby but not as much as Daisy. As I began to heal from the grief the death of my Daisy I began to realize that it was not wrong to be so attached to Ruby.
Before I would say things like I wish Daisy were here more than anything. Afterwards I discovered I would not wish Daisy back if it meant not meeting Ruby. That did not mean I loved Ruby more that Daisy. I didn’t mean that at all. I still would probably label Daisy as “my favorite” but I loved them both and could not choose one over the other. I believed that they had both come into my life at perfect timing because Daisy had given me so much happiness through my childhood and after she died Ruby was there to fill the empty space in my life and comfort me but never make me forget. I was in a good place now because I was able to appreciate both my girls and not compare them constantly.
Then something horrible happened. Ruby died. She was sick and the vets did not know why. She was still a baby at only 1 and half years but she died. I was overwhelmed with grief and broken hearted. I had just begun to recover from Daisy’s death and now the dog whom I had come to love so much had died. It was not fair. Still I had been there before and knew how to take care of myself and get myself through this loss.
I had learned a lot. I knew that love was meant to be shared with everyone. I had loved to wonderful dogs and they had made my life so much better. I knew it was okay to love again and it did not take me so long to realize that. I now have 3 dogs. Duke and two puppies Jake & Annabelle. I love them all but of course
no one could replace Daisy or Ruby.
Perfect timing is the way I see it. All my dogs came at a good time. Daisy was so comforting to me and she was with me through very difficult times. Ruby was good at making me happy and she cheered me up when I was missing Daisy so much I could barley see straight. Duke has already been around for awhile as we got him about a year after getting Daisy and these puppies are already bringing joy and laughter to my life so shortly after the death of Ruby. These dogs are like guardian angels because they know what to do to help when people don’t. These 5 dogs have had such an impact on my life and I realize it was foolish to think after Daisy died that it was betrayal to move on. Moving on with your life is all that you can really do and my dogs have helped me along the way.
They all are loved equally but differently,
| Amy Elizabeth Bye |