What a sweet memory. Glad for the richness you've lived and, as I've said before, I appreciate/relate to the way you notice the sweetness of the moment and experiences as they pass. And always love your reflections on your pups.
My irreplaceable precious Great Pyrenees girl died in late August. We buried my great swimmer and friend in a bluff overlooking the river. Drove deep into the woods on a friend's land and dug a 5' hole in the heat of NC August. So strange to lay the furry coat I'd groomed so much into the cold ground. Then again she suffered with the heat so not so bad for her.
It was tough. I know that if I happen to die in way where there is time for my life and times to pass before my eyes she will be right up there on the screen of my life.
The first time, I brought my girl Coasta home she knew nothing of cars, trucks, being inside houses or STAIRS. Got back, let her out for a swim and she ran off. Oh shit. I searched high and low and was worried she was running down the highway back to her original homestead. About an hour later, I went to the vet's office about 1/4 mile away from my goat pasture to alert them and out she came on a leash with a belly full of treats and lots of new friends. Smart girl.
Everyone in my neighborhood loved her. When I let folks know she had to be put down, some of them to come by to say good-bye and love her one last time. Got tons of emails and even a card saying how amazing her presence was and how she'll be missed. (By contrast, I got about 2 condolences when my dad died. No hard feelings on that, that's just how loved Coasta was). BTW, I AM NOT some strangely obsessive dog lady. I swear on the bible, although I love dogs, Coasta was just that special.
Looking forward to my next pup. I'd go to the shelter right now and get a two mutts, but want a dog that can be in the house, travel with me and guard my goats when needed. I think I've settled on a Karakachan. I was dreaming of a whole house full of Pyrenees, then met a Karakachan (aka Bulgarian Shepard) and she had a similar zen-like nature with maybe a little less of the daily hairpocalypse.
Anyway, enough about my dog. I think I went on since I'm still in the immediacy of losing her. Point is, I love your Halloween memory of Liz and Bo-Peep is a truly inspired costume. In fact, might just use it next year and bring one of my leash-walking goats along.
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