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by Georgie Márquez André July 12, 2005
COMPANION, n. One who keeps company with another; one with whom a person frequently associates, and converses. It differs from friend, says Johnson, as acquaintance from confidence. The word does not necessarily imply friendship; but a companion is often or generally a friend.
A loyal companion died this weekend.
She was not a friend, but she was definitely more than an acquaintance... she was our 15 year old Brittany Spaniel. Yes, she was a dog.
What is it about us humans that causes us to love and care for so deeply for what many would call "just an
animal"?
We got her when our son was just 7 years old... so she was around for most of his growing up years. A sweet, gentle presence, always there. My elderly mother had recently moved in with us, and as she was home much more than we were, the two became inseparable. It was a love-hate relationship between my old-world mother who did not believe in pampering animals, but yet cared, and the loyal animal, who always sat by her feet. Years later, when my mother died, Chesie grieved her deeply. For weeks, she would run throughout the house, looking for her, and always ending her search in Grandma's room, on her bed. Mind you, whenever my mom was away on vacation, or even while in the hospital, in a coma... Chesie acted normal. But the day she died, Chesie knew. How, I guess we'll never know, but she knew, and she was upset, and she allowed herself to be upset. So we shared in the grief.
Then, as time passed, and she got older, her body started falling apart. She developed arthritis, and hip displexia, and became deaf. But she was still the quiet, calming presence... always around, never imposing. She turned 15 years old this past April, and we knew she had definitely surpassed all average lifetime predictions (especially considering that she had been the runt of the litter... the last one left when we got her). Slowly, we could see the discomfort growing, but still, she hung on. Over the last month, however, she spent more and more time sleeping in the kitchen... away from the rest of us. And then this past Saturday, she gave up. Her back legs could no longer hold her up, and her breathing became difficult. We sat down with her on the floor, and held her. It was time. Later that morning we took her to the veterinarian, and had her put down. It was very peaceful... we were there, and she knew we were there... and she just went to sleep... and then she stopped breathing, and she was gone.
What is it about animals that so fills our hearts with love and compassion? She was a companion, my "girl." And now, the house is empty, and we miss her, and we are sad... a faithful friend is gone.
Have a blessed week.
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