This is Elka.
She was a very good author dog.
Sadly her time here with her people was all too short, and last week she made her transition to the great dogpark that awaits us all.
Here's what her leash-holder had to say about Elka:
This is my favorite picture of Elka. It makes me happy every time I see it, and is probably the best photograph I will take in my entire life.
I took it through sheer luck. She isn't always pleased to have the camera (or cell phone) in her face, especially if we're on a walk and there's just! so! much! to! see! I forget why I had the camera out; We were at a new park, and I must have seen the merit in something she was doing, or I was going to ask her for a behavior, but instead I waited.
See, Elka likes looking at things that fly. She dances around with stray moths in the house, she looks up for an airplane or a helicopter if she hears them (but they're just too fast), and birds....well, when I took this picture, she'd just watched a bird hop across an expanse of grass and take wing, and then whipped around and looked at me as if to say "Did you just see that?" Sheer joy and wonder.
I thought about sending you the picture of her in bunny ears, but I guess I'll save that 'til I query you.
Elka, we'll miss you.
Jennifer, I know this is your beautiful dobie, and I'm so sorry to hear she is no longer with us. What a good author dog. You are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good dog was Elka.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Elka. I've enjoyed the stories about her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful dog Elka was in life and what wondrous memories she left her “leash-holder”.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jennifer I'm sitting here crying, sobbing actually at your loss. I'm so, so sorry. We have our pets for such a short time and Elka was very special. This hit me especially hard because we put our Red Dobe down on the 9th of this month. I still find myself crying for no reason at the most inopportune times. Our Blue Dobe is at a loss, he's not even the same dog, so depressed and even Loaner Cat keeps looking for her. She was so sweet and loving...
ReplyDeleteYou're going to have a long road ahead. Don't lose heart. She loved you and was loved in return and that's all any of us can ever really ask of life.
A huge hug and my tears to you. You'll get through this.
I'm so sorry, Jennifer. What a great smile! Elka obviously had a winning personality.
ReplyDeleteThere's a quote from a source I've forgotten that is something like this, "As long as you remember someone who has died, they're not really gone." I hope your many happy memories and great photos will comfort you.
I'm so sorry. I loved Elka and I didn't even know her. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI wish...I could say...I don't feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteBut I do.
Hugs and tears.
What a beautiful girl and photo. I have also enjoyed the stories about her over the last few years. I love that she wanted to share her joy with you! Many, many hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, your gorgeous photo captures a big, beautiful spirit. It's hard to lose an author dog like Elka, but I'm glad she got to spend her time here on Earth with you. I know she had a wonderful life. Sending big hugs.
ReplyDeleteAnd nightsmusic, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, too.
I learned a long time ago that when we sit in the pews or stand by a grave waiting for the words outlining a life to begin, we often revisit many of the funerals we have attended.
ReplyDeleteAnd so it goes when stories are told about pets that have passed. I'm sitting here in tears for Elka while remembering the beyond wonderful life enhancers who have graced my life.
I can honestly say I have cried more for my pets than I have for ....some people.
Hugs to you !
Hugs for you Jennifer! What a beautiful Elka picture.
ReplyDeleteJust look at that precious Elka. Jennifer, No words will ease your pain... but I'm pretty sure there are a bunch of us here who understand the heartbreak. I know you know. I'm glad we had a bit of a chat the other day. Big HUGS to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry. A good dog is a best friend, and best friends are irreplaceable. Elka may be gone, but she will always remain in your heart.
ReplyDeleteNICOLE PARTON
QUALICUM BEACH, CANADA
I'm sorry that your sweet doggie is gone. They are here such a relatively short time, and yet leave such a big hole in our lives when they go. I still miss my Mehitabel, even though it has been a year and a half since she left me.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you'll see her just at the edge of your vision, toenails clicking down the hallway, just out of sight, for a while yet.
peace.
Oh my goodness, thank you, Janet, for this lovely post! And thank you everybody, for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteElka was my first dog, do all of it, the joys and struggles, and that final car ride together, was all New, as is this grief now.
I think it may have been too soon to get the puppy, but I also think she's keeping me (us?) the right kind of busy. Unfortunately, it's not writing busy, but we'll get there...
Jennifer, I remember when our first dog died, unexpectedly (gastric torsion), at age 7. We got him before kids, so he was very much our first "baby." It was late November (in Atlanta, but still, winter-ish), we had a 2 yo toddler and I was 7 months pregnant with our second child, and it was Not A Good Time to get another dog. We decided to wait until spring, because that seemed sensible. But there were so many empty spaces, where you'd turn and expect to see a black lab sprawled out and panting or curled up in the sun. So many silences, when you'd expect to hear nails clicking across the floor or a warning bark when ants (apparently) crossed the street. We lasted just over a week. It was the best decision for us, getting that second black lab at what was a clearly inadvisable time.
ReplyDeleteAll this to say, it's never too soon if it's what you need to ease the grief and fill the void in your heart. I can tell you from experience, memories will eventually become a source of happiness instead of pain. I'm so sorry for your loss.
At our house we truly believe our pets who have gone before work with St. Francis to send us the perfect new arrival. Each one is special. Each one artives at what may not seem the perfect time, but is.
ReplyDeleteHugs and healing to all who are hurting.
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Jennifer. Elka was really a good dog. Losing your heart dog is difficult, but I hope all the love she had for you will continue to surround you, to help you through this.
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
What a beautiful puppy girl. I'm sorry she's no longer with her author.
ReplyDeleteUnknown author - 3 parts. I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI’ve changed my ways a little; I cannot now
Run with you along the evening shore
Except in a kind of dream, and you, if you dream a moment,
You see me there.
So leave awhile the paw marks on the front door
Where I used to scratch to go out or in,
And you’d soon open; leave on the kitchen floor
The marks of my drinking-par.
I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do
On the warm stone
Nor at the foot of your bed; no, all the nights through
I lie alone.
But your kind thought had laid me less than six feet
ReplyDeleteOutside your window where firelight so often plays,
And where you sit to read - and I fear grieving for me
Every night your lamplight lies on my place.
You, man and women, live so long, it is hard
To think of ever dying
A little dog would get tired, living so long.
No dears, that’s too much to hope:
You are not so well cared for as I have been.
And never have you known the passionate undivided
ReplyDeleteFidelities that I knew
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many sided…
But to me you were true.
You were never masters, but friends
I was your friend
I loved you well, and was loved
Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end
If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid.
I am still yours.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your beloved Elka. Our animals become so precious to us and are such a part of our souls. Take great joy that she had such a loving life with you.