Tears are falling...
For those of you who have read my book or know me personally, what I'm about to say won't come as a huge surprise.
Behind this gruff, snarly, outspoken, irreverent exterior, there actually beats a heart of gold. And as I write this, that heart aches for a man I've never met, for his family... and for his dog.
I came across his story while surfing the Internet this morning. It is a tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever had a pet, and with those of us who have had to make the terrible, heart-breaking decision about when and how to let our companion go.
Massachusetts State Trooper Christopher Coscia recently penned a moving tribute to his late K9 partner, Dante, that has garnered national media attention. As Coscia tells it, he and Dante worked side by side for 70 hours per week for nine years. Together they fought crime, caught their share of bad guys and formed a bond that few can understand.
But in the end, it wasn't a criminal, but a cruel and unexpected illness that ended Dante's career, and left his human partner with no choice but to end his suffering.
In need of comfort as I finished reading, I immediately turned to my best friend, who was curled up on my bed in the next room. Leaning over, I buried my head in his fur and listened to the reassuring thrum of his purr. I am sure Eli had no idea what made me so upset, or why his coat was getting soaked with tears. But he made no move to get away; a flick of his tail was the only sign he was perturbed.
It it is not the first time I have cried on his shoulder and I'm sure it won't be the last. But inevitably there will come a time when my 14-pound "pit bull in a cat costume" will no longer be here to provide such comfort. There will come a time where he will no longer climb on to my desk to "edit" my stories, or play with his blue ribbon. There will come a time when I will look under the Christmas tree and see the place where he once loved to sleep.
That is the time I dread. These are the times I cherish.
Tears are falling on my keyboard.
Until next time, "That's life..."
Behind this gruff, snarly, outspoken, irreverent exterior, there actually beats a heart of gold. And as I write this, that heart aches for a man I've never met, for his family... and for his dog.
I came across his story while surfing the Internet this morning. It is a tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever had a pet, and with those of us who have had to make the terrible, heart-breaking decision about when and how to let our companion go.
Massachusetts State Trooper Christopher Coscia recently penned a moving tribute to his late K9 partner, Dante, that has garnered national media attention. As Coscia tells it, he and Dante worked side by side for 70 hours per week for nine years. Together they fought crime, caught their share of bad guys and formed a bond that few can understand.
But in the end, it wasn't a criminal, but a cruel and unexpected illness that ended Dante's career, and left his human partner with no choice but to end his suffering.
In need of comfort as I finished reading, I immediately turned to my best friend, who was curled up on my bed in the next room. Leaning over, I buried my head in his fur and listened to the reassuring thrum of his purr. I am sure Eli had no idea what made me so upset, or why his coat was getting soaked with tears. But he made no move to get away; a flick of his tail was the only sign he was perturbed.
It it is not the first time I have cried on his shoulder and I'm sure it won't be the last. But inevitably there will come a time when my 14-pound "pit bull in a cat costume" will no longer be here to provide such comfort. There will come a time where he will no longer climb on to my desk to "edit" my stories, or play with his blue ribbon. There will come a time when I will look under the Christmas tree and see the place where he once loved to sleep.
That is the time I dread. These are the times I cherish.
Tears are falling on my keyboard.
Until next time, "That's life..."
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[deleted user]
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Jan 30, 2014 02:49PM
I have two senior cats. They joined my family as adults and have taught me so much. And yes, I'm crying along beside you. So very, very glad they came into my life.
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That's life...
All you may -- or may not -- want to know about my adventures as an author and other stuff.
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