We said goodbye to our old girl, Siri, this past Friday afternoon. She’s recently turned sixteen and was feeling her age (which was approximately 99 in human years). It wasn’t unexpected or sudden, just the slow progression of age and slow deterioration.
It’s taken me a few days to even be able to write about her. She was a wonderful dog, one of the best She was always happy, ready for play or adventure. When she was younger she loved to chase deflated basketballs I’d kick around in the backyard for her. In fact, one of her favorite games was when I was mowing the grass. She’d put the ball in my path so I had to stop the mower to kick the ball. It turned a thirty-minute chore into an hour-long one. But it was worth it to see the smile on her face.
She’s also the last dog that we raised from a puppy after adopting her from the local Animal Services Center. That’s a lot of work, raising a little one, but she was one of the easiest. She learned so quickly and picked up commands after only a few lessons.
She did have her quicks, of course. She loved chasing the little lizards on the back patio. She’d bark at them when they were sunning themselves on the wall, and one time she even ripped a downspout off the wall trying to get to one. Determination, right? Luckily, she didn’t hurt herself, although I’m pretty sure the lizard made a clean getaway.
She also didn’t care for geese. We often took her and her sisters for rides around Lake Ella, which is sort of a large pond not far from here. It’s populated by dozens and dozens of ducks and geese. I’d drive slow around the perimeter so they could look around and, inevitably, Siri would launch into a barking fit if any geese came close to the vehicle. Ducks she ignored. Geese she had it in for. The funny thing is, if the goose (or gander) turned and came towards us, she’d stop barking and slowly back away from the open window. I think she knew that it was safer to bark at them from a distance.
There are so many funny stories to tell about her, so many times she was there when we needed her, times she made us laugh, made us feel loved, acted like a fool just because she was so damn happy.
She’s at peace now. No more aching hips. No more restless nights. No more pain. It still hurts for me, and it will for quite a while, but I am consoling myself with memories that will last a lifetime.
She was a great dog and I loved her dearly. Sleep well, sweet girl.
RB
Siri sounds like an amazing dog. Great memories.
That she was. Thanks for commenting.
V.sorry for your loss.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
I’m so deeply sorry for the loss of your furbaby, Siri. My heart goes out to you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing her sweet face and personality with us. There’s nothing like the love of a dog. 🙏
I appreciate your kindness, MM.
I know what it’s like to lose a furbaby. 💔
So very sorry for the loss of dear Siri.
Thank you so much, Devonne. I appreciate it.
So sorry for you, dear Richard.
Siri, and all our pets, become actual members of our families and when we have to say goodbye to them, they always leave a huge void.
That they do, Luisa. Siri’s presence will be felt here for years to come.
Thank you for the kind words.
Many thanks to YOU for your kind reply.
I am really close to you with my heart
Richard, so sorry to read you’ve lost a beloved family member. Sending supportive thoughts your way. That was such a lovely homage to Siri who, no doubt, is now enjoying life in the big dog house in the sky.
Thank you, Sheree. I appreciate the kindness.
You’re very welcome
Dang it, Richard. My eyes keep misting after reading this. Dogs do leave 🐾 prints on our ❤️ s.
Siri left behind a lot of great memories and she’ll always be close to my heart. Thank you for commenting, Pat. I appreciate it.
Oh no! 🥺 so sorry to hear.
Grieving for a pet is a very real thing.
For me personally, seeing them struggle is harder. But either way, losing a friend is always sad.
She sounds wonderful and how photogenic she was!
I hope pets somehow realize how much join they give us 🙂
I hope the same thing. Siri grew up knowing nothing but love and being spoiled.
Thanks for the kind words, Andrea.