Skallywag Hunt
September 2, 1998 - January 23, 2015
My dog-wife, Skallywag (Skatia Matilda Carmetlita Marie) passed on to be with her two brothers, Syd and Cubby.
This wasn't unexpected. But the hole in our lives is truly a wide and deep abyss.
Skally has had some health issues, and slowed down in a rather reasonable fashion.
She stopped standing in the window of the car for the entire trip; then just sat. After a while, though, she began standing again, and it was amazing to see her bright eyed and happy with that wind pouring over her.
She stopped going into the yard. This was in the past month. She would stand on the deck, but would walk, instead, to the front door and let me know she needed to use the facilities.
This past week, her smile, for the most part, had receded, and it was obvious she was in pain. She moved slowly and deliberately, and surprised me a couple of times with her bursts of energy and speed (galloping across the fields, or through the house).
When the time came, though, she couldn't walk anymore. She ate, albeit only turkey, cheese, and dental chews - this in her last 15 hours.
Her last full day, she was up and bounding about the house. We went for a walk, and returned, and she ate ravenously. She was doing quite well. So I was surprised when I returned from work to find her extending her left hind leg, and hobbling, then collapsing when trying to go to the bathroom. Later that evening she couldn't even rise to her haunches. Then I knew.
I stayed up with her from 2am (when she woke me with barking - she wanted help moving from the position she was in in the living room), and we chatted about her life. So much to remember! So many adventures! So much fun and wonderment.
She'd had a grand life.
She was an icon.
So many people have expressed their thoughts and regrets on her loss.
I had no idea how empty everything would be without her.
The three remaining have a great deal of life, but that ominous presence of hers is notably missing.
She was my companion, my counselor, my best friend, and my greatest thorn. I've no real words that would put into perspective what she meant to my life.
The past 4 days I kept thinking to the first chapter of The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, and realizing this was the message she was giving me.
My heart is still with you and your brothers, my pet. I have more loving to give to the others, but our history is long and a fantastic tale.
I miss you and I hope you save a place for me when the time comes for me to join you.
