AppleTreePets: Day Nineteen

One Equals Seven

They say a dog's life is measured by the seven to one ratio - every year of a dog's life is equal to seven in human years. So, a two year old dog would be a teenager if they were human. Some breeds have a longer life expectancy, like the Chihuahua, which can live up to twenty years. Danes have a very short life expectancy - seven years. I have known dogs whose lives were way too short (our Frenchies) as well as dogs who seemed to live forever, and drive their people crazy the entire time (Rocky, our batshit crazy Boxer - but that's a tale for another day.)

We have mourned the passing of many beloved pets. The woods behind my childhood home was a virtual pet cemetery. The front yard of the house we've lived in since 1989 is the final resting place for several lost pets - birds, Ariel, Simon and Lucky. Lucky was my son, Andy's, childhood best friend. Like the Jack Russell in the movie, "My Dog Skip," Lucky stayed on our son's bed and wouldn't leave his room when our son went off to college. A few years later, Andy took Lucky with him but Lucky got loose one sad day and was hit by a car. We were devastated. He brought him home to be buried in front of the window of his childhood bedroom.

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So, where was I? Oh, yes. I found odd comfort burying lost pets close by. It felt like they were still with me in a way. My husband put a stop to that when the Frenchies passed. He wanted them cremated in case we ever move. Our six year old grandson asked me what was in the boxes on the bookcase. How does one explain cremation to a little kid without sounding like a ghoul? I did my best but he still looked at me sideways.

But, I don't want to be depressing today. Yes, it's horrible when they leave us! It rips a hole in your heart. I once had a friend who had been a Great Dane breeder. By some bizarre turn of events, she lost several at one time. I asked her how she could deal with so much loss. Her answer, "You love them as much as you can while they're here and honor them when they're gone by loving another who needs you." wow. See, I always felt sort of guilty - like I was "replacing" a pet. But it makes sense. You need to grieve, then realize how many dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, need love and care. You aren't substituting, and it isn't self-serving to find another who needs love. It honors the pet you lost.

Which is all the more reason to enjoy them for as long as you are blessed to have them with you. Maybe I learned from having children who grew up too fast. Some days they make you want to tear out your hair. Other days, they tear out your heart.

Jack and Rooney are Bullmastiffs. They have a life expectancy of about seven years - ten if you're lucky. We are halfway there with Jack. Losing Jack will be terrible. We don't like to talk about it but Rooney, who is two years younger than Jack, has defective kidneys. Despite all of our efforts - controlled diet and monitoring - it will shorten her life. When we got the diagnosis, Andy and I were crushed. After the initial shock, we looked at each other and decided that we would make the most out of every day we have with her. Sure, she can be stubborn and frustrating, but she is, without a doubt, the sweetest creature that ever lived. She is loving and devoted and everyone who has ever met her, loves her. Her brother, Jack, is patient and protective of her. He has never so much as growled at her, even when she is a pest. They play, sometimes too hard, and tear up the house. I love it! Rooney's "Dad" is her reason for living. She waits all day for him to come home, then doesn't leave his side until bedtime.

We both know that when either of them leaves us, it will be devastating. Ironically, I got Rooney to help my husband with his grief over losing the Frenchies. The loss of Rooney will be unbearable. But she's here today and, hopefully, tomorrow and the next day and the next...