Farewell Clay

Today my family said goodbye to Clay.  Though he had a rocky last few months living with an aggressive cancer, you’d hardly know it by his happy demeanor.  Eventually the cancerous growth reappeared with a vengeance on his lip and the lymph nodes on his neck swelled to the size of a grapefruit.  Still, being a dog, he wasn’t self-conscious and enjoyed the simple things of life.

As sad as it is, death is our universal heritage.  It comes to the old and young, rich and poor, people and our animal counterparts alike.  It is humbling to realize many aspects are the same for us as they are for our pets.

I ironically received the news just as the girls and I were leaving the humane society after walking a homeless dog for a few hours.  Although I’m several hundred miles away, I cried like a little girl.  It’s terribly sad not being able to say goodbye or help gently bury him.  It’ll be alright though.  I’m a firm believer that all dogs go to Heaven.

Snoozing on his special chair.

Clay was laid to rest in my grandmother’s back yard, next to one of her beloved pooches.  He had an excellent and lucky life, unlike so many other unfortunate canines who never have anyone to mourn their passing.  When I do get another dog, it will be one who is in need of saving through an animal shelter or rescue organization  Those critters are given the short end of the stick but more often than not, they aren’t bitter about how life has turned out.  I know I can’t save them all, but bringing one or two into our family will make a difference to them and to me.

I’m sure the gloom will linger for a few days but it isn’t without hope.  I loved that dog and so did my girls as well as many adoring fans elsewhere.  Good boy, Clay and farewell.