Flying solo

satchmo1

If you have a dog, you will most likely outlive it; to get a dog is to open yourself to profound joy and, prospectively, to equally profound sadness. Marjorie Garber


Hugs x

Jonesy88

I have followed your diary from the start and couldn't pass without expressing my sympathies. I agree with previous posters - there is a definite symmetry.

The outpouring of collective emotion on this thread is phenomenal. *wipes away tears*. Take Care.

*Robin*

Good [STRIKE]morning[/STRIKE] afternoon Dear Friends, :hello:

It's hard to know what to write today, so let's start with a positive. My two Daft Dogs and I woke up to an unexpected spring day; warm, sunny and still. The thrush who claims Almond One as the centre of his territory is singing his heart out - probably in hope of attracting a mate. It's been a while since the birds have been able to make themselves heard over the roar of the freezing winds that batter this hillside in the winter.

Another positive; feel more human today - did not have to reach for painkillers before being able to get out of bed - which as all those who have a chronic health problem will know, is a blessing. Yesterday the only physical task achieved was to fetch a bucket of firewood from the store, and light the stove. Today I will do better, though may leave planting seeds until the weekend when DGD is coming to visit, as I have no other activities planned for her.

Today is a special day. San Valentino - the anniversary of the date that my relationship with PC became more than friendship. The one night of the year when we always got a baby-sitter and went off by ourselves to do something special.
Fifteen years ago today, PC had got us tickets to see a band who are one of my all-time favourites. Knowing she was going to be shut in all night, PC took his young Dog for a long walk in the afternoon. On the way home they met a man who was also walking a couple of dogs, which PCD started playing with. After a few minutes PC continued on his way, whistling PCD to follow him. But the moment he turned his back, the other man grabbed PCD and threw her, and his dogs, into his car - then drove off at speed! :eek:

..Well. You can imagine that neither of us felt like going out and enjoying ourselves. But the tickets were expensive, babysitter and kids told us to go, and there wasn't anything else we could do for PCD that evening after reporting the theft to the police.
It was the most miserable night out that either of us had ever endured; we should have given away the tickets because the experience - we had fantastic seats right at the front - was completely wasted on us both. As soon as the final chords of the last encore died away, we left our friends and went straight home.
The house was in darkness as I followed PC up the path. Suddenly he was pushed backwards into me - by a furry missile who'd launched herself at his chest! ..She'd escaped her captor and found her way home!
Suddenly it was a fantastic night; exhilarating to have our mood reversed in a moment.
PCD was very vocal in her pleasure at being reunited with us which woke up the household; we partied until dawn, kids too.. :j :beer: :j

A couple of weeks later, a friend of DS3 filled one of the gaps in this story. Of course the kids had told their mates what happened, and this lad connected it to something his cousin told him: Cousin lives in town, and on that day he had been playing footie in the car-park outside his flat, when one of the neighbours came home. This bloke called the kids to come and look at his new dog. As the boys gathered round his car, he opened the door - and PCD shot out like a bullet, then hurtled through the ring of children before disappearing off down the road..

She was less than a year old, had never been walked into or across town where that block of flats is, but she managed to negotiate two major roads and find her way home - eight miles - safely.

So that was a great anniversary, in the end.
Last year I had to use the occasion to persuade PC to visit the doctor as he was in pain but refusing to seek help. When he asked me to choose an activity/excursion, I said 'let's get your sore shoulders sorted out' - so he couldn't say 'no'. And thus began that sad journey. It's not such a good anniversary memory. <sigh>

So much has passed. If I felt fitter, I would use this beautiful day to do what would have been my choice for us last year, had not getting PC to visit the doctor been my priority:
Further up in the mountains there is a lake, a beautiful place that has long been one of our favourite 'drive to' walks. A path follows the shore through parkland and olive groves; idyllic, and ideal for meditating on the changed meaning of this day for me, while I follow Daft Dogs happily rediscovering the trails they've not seen for a looong time..
Unfortunately the drive would wipe me out; still feel pretty fragile tbh. Must be reasonably capable by the time DGD arrives tomorrow night, which experience says will not be the case if I go out today.

:think: Still.. Maybe it is time to push myself, and see what happens? Despite the potential fall-out, going up to the lake appeals far more than Item One on my list of Things To Do; try and sort out the Ombudsman's PPI forms - but will soon be out of time unless I get going with that..

Hmm.

Am sorry for not having replied to any of your kind comments in this post - it's very interesting so many agree that a sort of balance has been attained - am still thinking on 't.
But as you've just read, today my thoughts are flying onward - it has been good to remember PCD as she was in her youth; how happy we all were when she came back to us on Saint Valentine's night.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Happy Valentines Day Robin Xx

grannyx2

What a clever dog PCD was x I hope in time you will remember the best times 14th Feb brought and be able to put the sad one behind. You showed the extent of your love for PC on that day in my opinion. Better than flowers or chocolates any day

Granny x

HeadAboveWater

Thanks for sharing that story with us

Further up in the mountains there is a lake, a beautiful place that has long been one of our favourite 'drive to' walks. A path follows the shore through parkland and olive groves; idyllic, and ideal for meditating on the changed meaning of this day for me, while I follow Daft Dogs happily rediscovering the trails they've not seen for a looong time..

This sounds perfect! Maybe use today to recharge your batteries and save this journey for another day.

Happy valentines day

HAW

*Robin*

Hello Diary and dear MSE Friends, :hello:

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Thanks for sharing that story with us

..My pleasure.

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Maybe use today to recharge your batteries and save this journey for another day.

HAW that was the right decision; the lake would be a lovely excursion with DGD and DS at the weekend - if the good* weather holds, of course (*by which I mean it's not pouring with rain or blowing a gale. Jackets are still required even when it is sunny, but one avoids the frozen extremities typical of a UK February day).

As it was, despite having not gone out, my energy just drained away as darkness fell last night; went straight to bed without lighting the stove - had a lovely snuggly CD lying on the duvet to keep me warm..

grannyx2 wrote:

What a clever dog PCD was x I hope in time you will remember the best times 14th Feb brought and be able to put the sad one behind. You showed the extent of your love for PC on that day in my opinion. Better than flowers or chocolates any day

Very astute comment, Granny. I think Feb 14th will be my opportunity to treasure the memories from each year - the bitter-sweet ones as well as the really special ones (like PCD's return).

Jonesy88 wrote:

I have followed your diary from the start and couldn't pass without expressing my sympathies. I agree with previous posters - there is a definite symmetry.

Hello Jonesy, thanks for reading and joining in. It does really feel that equilibrium has been restored; as our little family must be parted - for now - it's a comfort to think that PC's spirit has his faithful companions joyfully dancing around him.

Jonesy88 wrote:

The outpouring of collective emotion on this thread is phenomenal. *wipes away tears*.

As Satchmo says:

satchmo1 wrote:

If you have a dog, you will most likely outlive it; to get a dog is to open yourself to profound joy and, prospectively, to equally profound sadness. Marjorie Garber

..Love comes to us in many forms.

Mara - the Rainbow Bridge story is beautiful, but always brings me to tears..

Dot I am very sorry that you have been so upset by hearing of the recent sad events here at the Nest. But you managed to find a great positive by spending some quality time with MrD and communicating with him, from your heart - which is so valuable; am glad to have been the prompt for that.


I panicked yesterday, after reading a comment on NL's thread. Shifted funds and then braved 'phoning THEM. What a palava. Expensive to boot - 0845 numbers would be a good cause for :money: 's attention!
Knocked 2K off my debt to THEM which turns out to be two debts.. At least I've now got the complete account details to pay off the rest without having to 'phone THEM again.
The money was the New Boiler fund but cash can be borrowed back from Death Duty fund if required urgently (fingers crossed that the elderly [but still A rated = too efficient to scrap] house boiler doesn't malfunction).

Will get rid of that debt to THEM as soon as PC's Death Duties have been sorted out (can not risk having insufficient funds to cover the DDuties in one go). Meanwhile the monthly payments arranged last year will continue to bring down my balance slowly, and hopefully keep THEM happy (rather wish that I'd just left the status quo ).

Found the PPI bumf while looking for THEIR paperwork - now just need a printer to co-operate (one does not recognise PC's laptop operating system, the other prints every fifth line blank despite my best efforts with it's maintenance/trouble-shooting programme <sigh>)..

..Must be time to go outside and do some weeding. :rotfl:

LAM2011

Hi Robin, I am another that is so touched by your story. They say these things are sent to test us - well I am very sure that you have passed with flying colours and hopefully no more tests for a long time.

Good to hear you phoned THEM - I deal with them a lot in my line of work. Best thing is communication. x

Also dont delay the PPI form - once you print it off and sit down and read it its easier than you think. I got PPI off a loan I had in my first year of MSE through the knowledge on this sight! I was astounded and had never really know what it was before then.

Take care and special hugs for the doggies. x

dorothy52

Hi Robin. I know that you know why I was unable to post last night, having made a rash and impulsive decision to go out on Valentines for goodness knows how many years. We had such a lovely evening and we have you to thank for that. Reading your post yesterday literally stopped me in my tracks, I simply can't tell you how profoundly it affected me. What I find so heartbreakingly poignant is knowing that you losing your darling, beloved PC and talking to us about it has without doubt changed my life for the better, mine and Mr D's, he was so surprised so be invited out, and utterly delighted. As you know I told him the story of PC dog, however I had to tell him about your journey first. As you can imagine, he listened politely at first, then intently and by the time I'd finished he was hanging on to my every word. When I told him about the return of PC dog his mouth was shaped in a perfect O:rotfl:

Please don't ever apologise to me for evoking such strong emotions.
We love our pets and we should mourn them, and hearing of the loss of a dear friends much loved pet is bound to affect one. I have to say, though Robin, that as much as the events themselves, it is the way you write, it's beautiful, almost like poetry, that moves us all so much.

I hope you have a lovely weekend with DGD, is the one that recently celebrated her birthday? I too will be having my DGD to stay on Saturday and we shall have a lovely time no doubt, her making me endless cups of imaginary tea with her Peppa Pig tea set and me drinking them.

missrlr

Oh my dear I have just completed reading this diary.

I'm a bit lost as to all I want to say so I will simply keep it to
Thank you
well done
hugs
And of course ear tickles