Oakley

“A dog is the only thing on earth 

that loves you more than he loves himself.”

– Josh Billings (humourist)

 I have been well loved in this life, as I have never been without the company of a dog.

There are many days when I prefer the company of my dog to that of humans.

Dogs are honest, free from ego, and completely non-judgmental.

A dog's love is pure.

I pray that my dogs have felt as much love from me

as I have felt from them.

I have taught them very little... they have taught me very much.

Sadly, yesterday morning, we said our last goodbye to our beloved Oakley.

He found us 8 years ago.

His tail-wagging photo came to my inbox via an email from an animal rescue.

It was a Saturday and he was scheduled to be euthanized on the following Monday.

The only thing known about him was he was an extremely friendly adult dog... 

a favorite amongst the staff at the shelter.

But, he had overstayed his welcome... his 30 allotted days were up.

Our first meeting

I fell in love, long distance... made a telephone plea for him...

and he was loaded on a van for the trip from Kentucky to Pennsylvania the next day.

The rest is history... and an already-written chapter in a book.

Camera-shy Oakley

Dearest Oakley,

A thin veil separates us now, but you finally have your wish.

You wanted to be as close to me as possible... so much so that I often felt you would

crawl right through my skin if you could.

I can no longer hold your big, heavy body in my lap...

but I will hold your loving soul within my heart for eternity.

You taught me many lessons about how to live and how to die.

I feel so privileged to have held your head as you drew your last breath...

so that you were surrounded by the profound love that you so readily gave.

We'll shed our tears over your passing...

and emerge from our grief blessed for having shared these years with you.