The Unconditional Love of Pets
I grew up with a flurry of pets – dogs, cats, birds, gerbils, fish. But, as a child I never truly appreciated the unconditional love that goes along with having a pet.
My youngest sister is the animal lover. She was the main reason we always had pets growing up. The relationship she has now with her two toy poodles is hard to understand by many, but it is truly amazing. Jack came into her life over 10 years ago when she bought him at the beginning of her senior year in high school. It had been two years since Mom died, Dad had remarried and Court was a teenager living with a new family. Although it made no sense for her to buy a dog, she did it anyway on her own.
Since then Jack has taught her more about unconditional love than we could ever imagine. He helped her get through the adjustment of a step-mom and siblings, the transition to college and then back home, a move to Chicago, and now her new journey with Dad. She even went as far as to buy another toy poodle for Jack while she was in college when his veterinarian suggested that a companion would help his depressed state. Now she has the love x 2.
Courtney understands the unconditional love that her dogs bring her and she has never been shy talking about it. It wasn’t until my dog, Madison, passed away two years ago yesterday that I truly realized what she had taught me about unconditional love, selflessness and the benefits of going with the flow. Her affection for me and our growing family never lessened over the years no matter what changes we went through or how little attention she received. She continued to love us unconditionally.
I realize this more than ever now because of the impact Madison still has on our family two years after she left us. Caitlin, who wasn’t even 2 when she died, talks about Madison at least once a week. Some weeks it is every day. Just yesterday she wanted to buy a dog ornament for her.
Unless you have experienced the love of a pet, it seems crazy to think that a dog could impact your family so much. If you have experienced that love or loss you will understand how I felt when I wrote this after “our first baby” died.
Here’s to Madison and all the pets who bring love and smiles to our life!
Our First Baby
Micah has always loved dogs. Me, not so much. While we were dating, he talked about wanting a dog. I strongly discouraged him. He was a college basketball coach with a crazy schedule and not enough time to dedicate to raising a puppy.
Fast forward several months – Micah proposes. I say yes. A few weeks later he brings up getting a dog again. I say “are you crazy?!” Once again, reminding him of his insane schedule. He is coaching at DePauw University and a professor who lives off campus on a farm has puppies for sale. He hears about it and asks me to go look while I am in town visiting. Sounds fun, so we go. He falls in love with this sweet little black and brown terrier-chow mix. She is really cute. And I am totally swooped up into the engagement planning. I say “lets do it!”
And so, Madison is the start of our family.
She was such a sweet little puppy. She lived with Micah at DePauw for a year before we got married. He was the house dad at a fraternity, so that is how she began her life. I did a lot of driving with the one hour distance from Indy to Greencastle to help take care of our baby. She also got love from the frat boys and learned how to cherish her alone time.
After 1 year, she made her first move…to Huntington, West Virginia. Besides going to college, it was also my first move. It was a new experience for both of us. She was my baby and my best friend. We went on a run or walk every night. We explored the West Virginia trails and parks. We played in the backyard. She slept by my feet while I read or watched tv. I gave her special hugs and tucked her in on her cozy bed every night before she went to sleep.
Our family was expanding and she was with me everyday as I continued walking during the pregnancy. She barked when she heard a noise when Micah was gone. She barked when she heard the garage door open when he got home at night. And she barked at those damn 9 cats our crazy next door neighbor had. But, her barking (although sometimes drove me crazy) was also comforting.
She was there to greet Braeden when we brought him home from the hospital.
She stayed by his side day in and day out.
Then we moved to South Bend, Indiana. For two years she embraced the long winters.
And there, she acquired the name, “Mana” by Braeden.
Then, yet another move and another baby. Madison had no problem transitioning to a new house in Indianapolis and another new baby, Nicholas.
Things got a little more hectic. And Madison got a little less attention. But, she went with the flow.
Madison had been slowing down the past year. Although, she was only 8 ½, she suffered from arthritis. The jumping and craziness she was known for years was no longer. She still barked when she heard the garage door open when Micah got home, but not as much as she used to.
We aren’t sure exactly all the health issues involved, but when I took her to the doctor for the last time, they thought she had an obstruction. They gave her fluids and medicine to stop her vomiting. She was moving around and seemed better, so we were hopeful.
A day later, on December 9, 2010, she died peacefully at the foot of our bed.
It was 5:30am and Micah was out-of-town (only fitting!). The boys were in bed with me. And fortunately, we made it out of the house for school without them knowing she died (or so I hoped).
I haven’t cried so much or felt so sad in a long time…probably since Mom passed away 10 years ago. Although you can’t compare the loss of a mother to the loss of a dog it was still hard losing a family member.
After school, when I had to break the news to the kids, Braeden sobbed when I told him. He asked a lot of questions probably typical for a kindergartener. Wanted to know where exactly she died. And what time exactly. I’m pretty sure he put two and two together, although he never said anything.
Then, he asked me if I put a note on Madison to bring to my Mom in Heaven telling her how much I loved her.
Ugh, more crying.
Nicky was as clueless as ever. He was just casually telling everyone she was dead. He does miss his sleeping buddy.
Caitlin is still talking about Madison. She has brought her up almost every day since she died.
And Micah had to cope with her dying from a distance. He felt helpless when I called in a panic at 4:45am saying she had trouble breathing. And again when I called at 5:30am telling him that she was gone. He didn’t get to say goodbye to his buddy.
Sweet Madison, our first baby, will be missed.
Madison Shrewsberry
June 2002-December 9, 2010
