I write tonight with deep sadness, not for sympathy but to acknowledge that sometimes there is a love so powerful that it transcends all boundaries. What transpired was a love story between two best friends but it has left me so broken hearted that I don't know when I will recover.
On the 11th of this month I lost my 12 year-old collie, King Edward. Edward had a female companion, a 10 year-old collie named Mary Ann. She was my wife's best buddy like Edward was mine.
The two collies were inseparable. They played and worked together as a team and slept side by side during the night. Mary Ann sensed that Edward was dying and lovingly mothered over him these past months.
When I returned form the vet a little over a week ago without Edward, Mary Ann became concerned and looked for him everywhere. Over the next few days she became despondent and withdrawn. I could see the sadness and loneliness in her eyes. She gradually stopped eating and spent her days on the pallet that the two had shared. Despite all our efforts to cheer her, at 5 p.m. yesterday evening, Mary Ann uttered a mournful sigh and passed away.
Mary Ann visited her vet only two weeks ago. She had been loosing weight for several months and was becoming less active. The tests that came back indicated a healthy dog, except for the persistent arthritis in her back. I scheduled a scan on the advice of my vet. He suspected that she might have an internal condition, like tumors or cancer, which the blood work did not reveal.
I think that Mary Ann was much sicker than we realized but refused to surrender while her best friend Edward was still fighting a battle for his own life. She was a joy and comfort to him in his illness. After he passed, she allowed herself to give up to be with him.
I buried Mary Ann next to Edward. I like to think that the two of them are playing together and enjoying each other's company once again. I hope they don't get into too much mischief before I get there.
I loved my little girl Mary Ann as much as I loved Edward. Tonight our house, on the eve of Thanksgiving, seems silent and empty.
RIP Mary Ann.
Whenever I baled hay, Edward would go through the pasture and anoint the bales while Mary Ann stood guard.
Mary Ann earlier this week.
On the 11th of this month I lost my 12 year-old collie, King Edward. Edward had a female companion, a 10 year-old collie named Mary Ann. She was my wife's best buddy like Edward was mine.
The two collies were inseparable. They played and worked together as a team and slept side by side during the night. Mary Ann sensed that Edward was dying and lovingly mothered over him these past months.
When I returned form the vet a little over a week ago without Edward, Mary Ann became concerned and looked for him everywhere. Over the next few days she became despondent and withdrawn. I could see the sadness and loneliness in her eyes. She gradually stopped eating and spent her days on the pallet that the two had shared. Despite all our efforts to cheer her, at 5 p.m. yesterday evening, Mary Ann uttered a mournful sigh and passed away.
Mary Ann visited her vet only two weeks ago. She had been loosing weight for several months and was becoming less active. The tests that came back indicated a healthy dog, except for the persistent arthritis in her back. I scheduled a scan on the advice of my vet. He suspected that she might have an internal condition, like tumors or cancer, which the blood work did not reveal.
I think that Mary Ann was much sicker than we realized but refused to surrender while her best friend Edward was still fighting a battle for his own life. She was a joy and comfort to him in his illness. After he passed, she allowed herself to give up to be with him.
I buried Mary Ann next to Edward. I like to think that the two of them are playing together and enjoying each other's company once again. I hope they don't get into too much mischief before I get there.
I loved my little girl Mary Ann as much as I loved Edward. Tonight our house, on the eve of Thanksgiving, seems silent and empty.
RIP Mary Ann.
Whenever I baled hay, Edward would go through the pasture and anoint the bales while Mary Ann stood guard.
Mary Ann earlier this week.
