There are two magnets placed on the front of our stainless steel refrigerator.  One reads, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” and the other reads “My dog — a heartbeat at my feet.”

The former is attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt; the latter to Edith Wharton — two women whose legacies should most certainly be celebrated as we conclude Women’s History Month.  But it’s Ms. Wharton’s quote that has been stuck in my head for just over two weeks ago.  

We had to say goodbye to our sweet doggy, Sally, on March 16.

We aren’t quite sure how old Sally was — almost 12 years ago when we adopted her, the Burbank Shelter told us she was two-ish, but we suspect she might have been three or even four, which means she could have been 15 years old when she left us — a long life for a dog.  

But it was never going to be long enough.

Wisdom From Sally

These are tenuous times in our world and the loss of an animal might seem rather trivial.  But if you’re a dog lover, you know that they become a part of your family.  So as we mourn this loss of sweet Sal, I am remembering the things she taught us:

1) Sometimes, the best and only thing you can do, is take a nap.

2) Being apart from people can be a painful thing. Most of the time, they’ll come back. But when they don’t, remember they are always in your heart.

3) Two treats at lunchtime is good, three treats is allowed on special occasions, but any more than that, and you could get sick. Or fat.

4) Most humans are good.  Or at least try to be good.  But go with your gut and listen to your heart when you sense something is off. 

5) There comes a point in every day when you need to stop working. Step away, go for a walk, play. (Or nap: see point number one.)

6) Cultivate patience. Keep pushing. Eventually, you might just get that fourth treat.

7) You don’t need to eat through the back door to get where you want to go.  If there’s a roadblock, go around.  Better yet, rethink the road.

8) Caring for another creature can be one of the most joyful things on this planet.

9) Snuggling with a doggy is better than most things, even blueberry pancakes. 

10) One adoption is multiple lives changed. 

A Dog’s Gift

A dear friend of mine said that dogs are God’s gift to us — they show us how to love.

Our sweet Sally certainly did that.

And while we feel a huge hole in our lives (this house has never seemed so quiet), we also know that the love she showed us, the joy she brought us, the laughter she gifted us, is worth the pain we are feeling now.

These past two weeks, we’ve said, “We don’t want another dog. We just want Sally back.”  And maybe that will change over time.  But for now, we will remember the ten things (and more) that she taught us and thank God for the time we had with her.

Enjoy those treats in heaven, Sally.  You certainly earned them.