As I am grieving my loss of Snickers, I’ve tried to focus on the good memories of time spent with her that I cherish. I think about the many walks we took together as a family every night for 10 years before dinner with me, Ellen and Snickers. I think about our road trip together and how she was my anchor to sanity and living. I think about playing frisbee, playing hide-and-seek for cookies, chasing lizards and guarding our yard against the dreaded squirrels. I think about going for car rides and how much she loved these – even when she was sol old she only had energy for a short 5 minute walk before getting back in the car.
As I’m recalling so many of the good times we had together, I realize that I need to create new memories with Wiggles.
Now.
I hadn’t realized it when we were in it, but all three of us were consumed with the stress of Snickers’ failing health and our mutual lack of rest for months now.
It’s time for me and Wiggles to get busy living.
And so, I started playing hide-and-seek for cookies with Wiggles. I also decided that after dinner each evening, we’re going for a ride to visit one of the local parks, forests or different neighborhoods for a casual, meandering stroll. I bought her a new treat toy that we’re going to play with tonight.
I don’t need to live in my memories to have joy in my life. I need to make new ones to accompany the many I already have.
