Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Adios Boss

My arms throb as I hold my two year old over the toilet to vomit for what seems like the 14th time in a day. He is sick. He has never been this sick. I am beyond exhausted. Just as he finishes emptying his little stomach, I hear the latch of the front door open and then click shut. Relief, I think to myself. I peer around the corner of the bathroom door to see my big, burly husband in his familiar black, leather jacket. His unusually happy demeanor is a site for sore eyes. Dragging my weary feet down the stairs, ready to collapse in his arms, I stop dead in my tracks. A ball of fluff emerges from his coat pocket. My two-year-old smiles and perks up for the first time in a week. I fall into a heap on the floor in a mess of tears.

Mindy, meet Boss.
Boss, meet Mindy.


Boss and I got off to a rough start. Of course he was adorable, but I was not ready for a dog. I tried to explain this to the groomer the first time I took him in after he had acquired some gnarly dreadlocks.

"He was brought into my home against my will. I just don't have time to brush him."
She stared at me in disapproval and returned him later that day, shaved down until he looked like an overgrown rat.

My husband assured me, "He'll be my shop dog and come down to work with me every day."

I can count how many days Boss worked as a "shop dog" on my right hand.

Inevitably, Boss really became my dog as I potty trained him, fed him, took him out to do his business multiple times a day, and snuggled him every day for the last five years. I've come to learn that whether human or animal, when you serve a living being that long and that diligently, you come to love it so deeply. And by golly, that dog loved me back even more fervently, as cranky and begrudging as I often was.

Tonight, while we were putting the boys to bed, the wind was blowing so fiercely outside. It blew the front door wide open, and Boss took off on an adventure. He didn't get past the second house up the street when he was hit by a car. And just like that, he's gone from our lives.

So tonight, as my husband carried Boss' fluffy little body through the door in his big, burly arms, I found myself right where I was the first day he brought him home: a heap on the floor in a mess of tears.





31 comments:

  1. mindy. i don't know what to say. you now how i feel about 4legged children, and this.. mindy, i'm crying. i love boss and all his silliness. please let me know if i can do anything. ANYTHING. hippo and bird would love to come upstairs to comfort you guys anytime of day. some may think this is silly, but we will be praying for all of you.

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  2. Thanks Arica! I appreciate that. You know Boss and his love for running away. We're a lot alike in that respect :-) It's been really sad.

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  3. oh, sweet girl! I am so sorry. This just happened to us a few years ago.
    It's so hard. Good thing I didn't call you today! It would have made for a sad first phone conversation. xo Hugs

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  4. Oh.... I'm so sorry, Mindy. :(

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  5. MY heart is breaking for you. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things. Many do not understand the dynamic a dog has on a family and in each person's lives. We just lost one of our beloved boxers Tank 3 weeks ago and the void in our house is just still so evident. Hold on to those amazing memories and know you gave him the absolute best life imaginable and that he was not just a dog but a member of your family. I will pray for comfort and peace during this time as you grieve.

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  6. We shall both cry together as this happened a few weeks ago to me. It's like losing a member of the family. Cry as long or hard as you want to.

    Boss's waggly tail is always close at hand. He is just very good at hiding temporarily. :)

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  7. Mindy, I am so so sorry! I can only imagine how heartbreaking this must be. When I think of losing one of our puppies, I feel sick. I'll be thinking of you all.

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  8. hope that Boss will always in your heart ^_^

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  9. I am sorry for your loss. But just remember, in the eternal scheme of things, you will be reunited with him just as any other family member. And as a three-year old girl in my primary so profoundly said, "Death is not the end of the day. There is resurrection."

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  10. Oh I am so sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose a pet, they become such a huge part of our lives don't they? hugs to your family.

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  11. I know how rough that can be. I lost Cinnamon the same way as he was quite the runner too. I'm sorry Boss is gone - it's so hard to lose something/someone you love so much!

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  12. Oh Mindy, I am so sorry. Losing a pet is such a terrible experience. My prayers are with you and your family.

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  13. As a mom to only 4-leggers, horses, dogs and cats....I so understand.
    Boss had a wonderful life because of your family. And your family was blessed to have him!
    xo, misha

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  14. I am so sorry to read this. :( We had two little puppies (no matter how old they got, they were still our puppies). Puppy love never goes away.

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  15. So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for the healing of you and your family's hearts...

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  16. Thanks for all the kind words! We said our goodbyes and had a doggy funeral in the backyard today. All is well.

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  17. i was an absolute mess when my dog bonbon died- thinking of you

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  18. Oh Mindy I am so sorry for your loss!!! this is one of the hardest things!!! These pets end up being such a huge part of the family, wish i was could give you a big hug!!!
    Thinkin of you and your sweet family
    Tif

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  19. This is heartbreaking. What a touching story. I am so sorry for your (and your family's) loss. I am wishing you well and sending you love.

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  20. Dear Mindy,

    My heart is heavy for your family. I remember when I was young and the family dog died. It was awful. Praying you all feel comfort.

    Kisses,
    Danyelle

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  21. Mindy,
    Im so sorry for your loss of Boss. Our sweet dog Mack ran away in Jan. And our family is not the same. Prayers for you and yours.

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  22. Mindy, I am so sorry you have lost your beloved pup Boss. It's funny how our pets can become like family and we love them so much. Only time will heal the pain of losing Boss so suddenly.

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  23. Mindy,sorry about Boss. That was really beautifully written.

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  24. OMG hon, that's just terrible! I am so sorry for your family!

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  25. I hope your heart has been able to heal a little since loosing Boss. We lost our little 13 year old chihuahua Thelma this year, an owl took her from us and she has not been seen since. I just found your blog and you are such a beautiful person.

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