I need to tell you about Mmma, a 15 year old Cow dog. She is a cross of Australian Shepherd, Border collie, and Blue healer, born on a ranch is southwestern Idaho. She was the runt of the litter and they are seldom the best herding dog and because of that are not as valuable. Our daughter Katie, fearing for the 6 week old puppies life, called me. Dad, ‘telling me the story and her opinion that she needed to rescue her’, I said, bring her home and we will find a family for her.’ We had just lost Bailey, the black cocker spaniel and we were pretty sure we did not want a new dog. The puppy arrived in our daughter’s back yard and immediately had a new family. The dog was so smart, we committed to get her properly and professionally trained. She would have been first in her large class except for her focus on any bouncing ball. One of the best healer’s ever trained, she spent the rest of her life rounding up and protecting the grandkids and always Karen.
So we have so many fun memories of Mmma. She ate the corners of all of the wooden benches on our deck. She ate the fringe on the very expensive oriental rug in our front room. She often rolled in raccoon or some other evil smelling stuff, I would tell her to get in the shower and voila, she would do just that. Squirrels were safe but always at small risk from the speedy Mmma. I do not think border collies are known for their swimming prowess, but Mmma logged miles of paddling to fetch her ball in the lake. One adventure chasing a baby deer taught her that the larger deer do not tolerate harassing their fawns, Mmma came running back with a buck in pursuit. We walked two or three times a day and once at night up the block. I never paid her for being my personal trainer but she made sure I did not sit down for too long.
The end came suddenly, she started limping on her right leg which slowed her down. A trip to the vet suggest she had a swollen joint in her elbow, a biopsy led us to multiple Vet visits. The options to try to keep her alive were not fair for her as much as we did not want to let her go. Dr. Laura, from Gentle Goodbyes, was amazing as she freed Mmma from her pain and distress. The whole family joined us and we had a celebration of life and a few cocktails. Katie says I will have to walk Karen in the future—I do not think she will chase the ball.
What you have just read is cathartic. We all shed tears over our loss but the expression of that trauma can be healthy and healing. We loved Mmma and saying good by with heartfelt thanks for always being there for us can give us closure on a very sad/happy day. Enjoy the attached Sad Song from Elton John, it will explain the complex feelings involved in loss.
I am not going to say much about the “shit goblin” that is our POTUS. I just finished a book that described a mean spirited junior high girl who took pleasure in making life miserable for a less fortunate class mate. We cannot settle for that behavior defining our great nation.
Mmma at night on the golf course with her lighted collar and ball is this weeks photo. It made me think of the Debby Boone epic song, “ You light up my life”, Mmma did light up the lives she touched.
Enjoy the weekend. Mike
