Unforgettable...
I don't know how many years ago - 10 or 11 I suppose - my Grandma Millie knew her health was failing, as was that of her sister Ethelyn. Grandma lived in Plains, and Ethelyn was in a nursing home in Bozeman. Grandma had long since lost her ability to drive after losing a leg to diabetes, so when she told me she longed to see her sister one more time before one of them died, I decided to make it happen.
I drove the 2 hours from our place at Rock Creek to hers at Plains and picked her up. I always take my dog with me, and figured she would be a good addition to the trip. So Grandma, Tasha and I hit the road for Bozeman the next day. It's a long drive from Plains to Bozeman, 4 hours or so...When we arrived at the nursing home, I got Grandma in her wheel chair and to her sister's room. I then asked at the desk if it would be okay for me to bring Tasha in to visit.
After receiving permission, I walked in with my sweet yellow girl, and it was as though each of those old folks that saw her was injected with new life. They wanted to pet her and talk to her. She was a willing recipient of all the attention, and seemed to know that she was giving joy to them. After Grandma and Ethelyn had a nice long visit, we knew we had to say our good-byes.
It was dark when we drove by Butte, and you could see all the radio towers blinking. Grandma said "see all those blinking lights? Those are microwave towers, and that's what makes your microwave work" I attempted to disagree (though I should've known better) and she said "Well! You never saw microwaves before those towers went up". You have to admire her reasoning - she did have a good point.
Anyone that spent much time with Grandma knows how draining it was - she was quite vocal in her opinions, and it was exhausting. So, after spending 2 long days with her I was wiped out. One of Grandma's complaints was that she didn't get enough visitors. As I was driving home I was thinking about this. I understood WHY people didn't visit her often, but it still broke my heart. I started thinking about the fact that love and affection from humans always comes with a "condition". We must be deserving of love or it is withheld - it's a heartbreaking thought, but it is true. I determined that the only unconditional love comes from God, and though that is comforting it is still sometimes very lonely.
When I got home, and was telling my daughter that story I tearfully shared the part about the fact that there is no love that is unconditional, not that of our spouses, children, family or friends; as I was talking and crying, my dog came up and put her head in my lap. She looked up at me as if to say "I love you without condition". My tears really started to flow then!
Today I am preparing to say good-bye to my faithful companion, and the tears are flowing once again. She HAS loved me without condition, and I wonder if that is why God gives us these pets. They are here to love us with the love of God, in a physical body. Just minutes ago I heard the song "Unforgettable" and as I listened to it I closed my eyes and saw my "unforgettable" girl all through her life.
The day Tasha was born, Carolyn (the owner of Tasha's mother) called me and said "Seely is having her pups". Joe and I rushed over there to see that 2 black ones had been born (clones of Herman); then Carolyn and I watched as the next 8 were born. We immediately picked out Tasha as ours; she was a darker yellow than any of the rest and easily distinguishable.
Herman (our male, and the father of the pups) and I would walk over every day to play with the puppies and bond with Tasha. When we brought her home, there was no adjusting; she knew that she was created just for us. Every day of Tasha's life has been on Rock Creek, and she has always been "my" girlie girl.
The years have gone by with her by my side; she works with me, plays with me and even prays with me. She has greeted every guest that has come to stay in one of the cabins, and has insisted on pets from each one (by nosing her way between their knees!). She has chased gophers and squirrels, rolled in really stinky stuff, and eaten things that she shouldn't have. She has loved all of our grandchildren, and patiently allowed them to crawl on her, ride her, and poke and prod her - all with a wagging tail...
She has been a good fishing companion, not wanting to be too far from me...wading out into the stream, knowing to stay behind so as not to spook the fish. She has brought back her share of grouse, pheasants and ducks when accompanying Joe on a hunt. One day a couple years ago she even decided to hunt by herself here on our property and bagged a big blue grouse with no assistance!
Tasha has always known her purpose - without a doubt she was sent by God to love and serve this family. She has faithfully fulfilled her purpose and now, as much as it breaks our hearts, it's time for us to let her return to heaven... The comfort is in knowing that there will be no more seizures, and her joints will again be strong. She will be able to see and hear again, and run - as fast as she can, just because she can. She will be free from the bondage of old age, and she will be there, waiting, for the day when we join her...
Until then, dear sweet Tasha, you will remain Unforgettable...
Thanks for showing us what unconditional love is...
Tasha Peltier 6/9/1995 - 8/13/2009
Unforgettable (click to play)
We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet: and, amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us.
Maurice Maeterlinck
Belgian dramatist, essayist, & poet (1862 - 1949)
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
and pain should keep me from my sleep.
Then you must do what must be done,
For this- the last battle – can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
Don’t let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer, so.
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
it is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it must be you
who has to decide this thing to do.
We’ve been so close – we two – these years,
don’t let your heart hold any tears.
--Author Unknown
