Remembering HRH The Dudley .... always and forever

Remembering The Dudley

Our little old man passed away Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

Sleep well little one ..  we will meet again.

Feeling at peace and warmed by contentment we sit side by side together on the backyard swing. The fragrance of the lilacs, the graciousness of the robin to serenade us with his song as he balances gracefully on the overhead power wire and the caress of the morning sunlight dancing across the backyard patio combine to make us grateful and blessed in our life together.  

He is adorable as he sits in his bed on the deck.  Every once in a while we reach out to pet him.  He has grown old along with us.  His handsome white face, once a soft brown along with the lumps and bumps that have disfigured his once fit and dapper Jack Russell body give us the realization that our little beloved pet is aging more quickly than ourselves; more rapidly than we truly want to recognize.

A chipmunk scampers across the deck and we are reminded of a time when The Dudley would jump to his feet and race like popping corn to ban the critter from his realm.  Today our little fellow simply raises his head and warily watches with eyes shadowed by cataracts as the chipmunk fearlessly enjoys his short sojourn.

Osteoarthritis took up residence in our little dog’s legs.  Often we ask him, “Are you in pain, little one?”   Of course he cannot speak but lack of the English language does not prevent him from responding.  He perks up ears that are nearing deafness, wags his tail and licks my hand as though to say, “No, I’m feeling fine.  Will you take me for my walk now?” 

And, yes, he still takes great pleasure in his daily walk.  Where he used to walk for hours he is now content with the occasional short walk through the little woods on a trail that has been an integral part of his home for many years.

Today we sit together and enjoy this summer afternoon.  We try to prepare ourselves for the day that we know will arrive when we will sit together alone without our little Dudley.  As he journeys toward seventeen we do all we can to ensure his comfort and happiness.   Yet all that we give to him is as nothing compared to the wealth of knowledge, wisdom, tolerance and unconditional love that he has shared with us.  When he decides, and we pray it will be his decision, that it is time for him to journey to the Rainbow Bridge we will be devastated.

And so we treasure this day.  Feeling at peace and warmed by contentment we sit side by side together on the backyard swing. The fragrance of the lilacs, the graciousness of the robin to serenade us with his song as he balances gracefully on the overhead power wire and the caress of the morning sunlight dancing across the backyard patio combine with little Dudley snores to make us grateful knowing we are blessed in this life we share together.  

Rest in peace, dear Dudley, and dream your doggy dreams.

Thank you for being there for us throughout all the years.. we love you always and forever.