She sure did shine!
Gracie Allen, aka G-Pup, 12 years + 3 months. #rip 06.07.2017 — Thanks for choosing me. You were the truest companion.
This girl owned a big chunk of my heart, and I miss her like crazy. Her illness was acute and sudden and completely unexpected. For the first week, we could still hear her in the house — nails clicking at the bottom of the stairs, body descending to the floor for sleep, shuffling and shifting. G-Pup sounds. We’re still watching our step to make sure we don’t jostle a water bowl that’s no longer there. And we expect to see her face in the window every damn time we come home.
We’re having a summer of rain and thunder and lightning and special weather statements and tornado warnings. It rains at some point almost every day. The gardens are thick and tall in a Jurassic Park kind of way.
The G-Pup had weather-triggered severe anxiety. The truth is I think she saw what the summer was bringing and just decided to check-out early. Oddly, that kind of makes me smile.
I feel ya girl, every day. Rest easy.
____________________
In Other News ~
Three months is the longest I’ve gone without posting to this blog. I think. I hope.
First, it was a little bit of road-tripping, a whole lot of gardening, hunkering into 52Stories52Weeks. Then, it was the passing of Gracie. I felt lost and didn’t have a funny bone in my body. And then, I succumbed to labyrinthitis. I say succumbed because it had the most debilitating vertigo with it. Those inner ear maladies can be tricky. And because they weren’t sure that was the correct diagnosis, I had a bazillion tests. We’re still going with the big L.
I was indisposed, man!
So…
Now, I no longer feel like my head rolls and bobs in the ocean. I don’t feel the need to puke, nor do I feel the need to carry my head under my arm, so I kinda, sorta know where it is. I don’t feel off balance. I feel pretty decent…. almost normal.
There you have it. That’s my sorry tale.
And this is the longest thing I’ve written in as many days.
I didn’t tweet. I didn’t read your posts. I didn’t Insta, except to scroll through what rolled down. I’ll be getting back to all that… starting now.
And Monday is in the house.
Elen
OMG, I just finished Barre class and saw this. I need to run home to read this. Glad to see you’re back.
Steve
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LOL, Steve. I hope it was worth the run!!
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I’ll be honest, I took my time 😂. It was worth taking my time. Great seeing you on board.
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Beautiful photo of your your pup, Elen. I can identify with all those sentiments. Glad your back ‘in the fold’. Take care.
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Thank you. I know you can.
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Oh, Elen. Glad to see you back,but I am so, so sorry to hear about Gracie.
And then, labyrinthitis! Terrible thing, that. I’ve had three or so bouts over the years, always around stressful periods. Since menopause, though, nada. Thank God.
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Thank you, Maggie. It’s good to be doing some ‘normal’ again. Gracie will be missed, but she was well-loved, and we were well-loved in return. It is a terrible thing, though I’m pretty sure I know the cause, and it wasn’t stress, though that might have exacerbated it. Cheers!
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Elen, it was so nice to see the notice of your post. I knew about Gracie from your post on IG, and it’s best just to let someone find their way. Silence serves a great purpose, doesn’t it? Sometimes, it’s louder than anything.
I’m so glad your illness was short lived, that couldn’t have been pleasant in any way. I too took a two month break and posted for the first time on Saturday and Sunday. I can’t thank you enough for your kind and thoughtful comments. I’ve missed you, dear friend.
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Thank you, Kellie! I saw your break. 😉 Yes, silence does serve a purpose. Your gardens sure are looking beautiful.
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Welcome back, Elen. I was pleasantly surprised to see your name in my email. We all take breaks of varying lenghts at times. Sorry to hear about G-pup. I remember when my parents G-pups that I grew up with passed on. There was an unusual silence and emptiness in the house. It was odd to eat a bowl of ice cream without fuzzy, brown eyes in my lap staring up at me waiting patiently to lick the bowl. Glad you’re feeling better, too!
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Hey, Eric! Yes, that silence is a killer. Thank you. I am feeling much, much, MUCH better. 😀 I hope you, the DW, and your guys are having a great summer. I look forward to catching up with your blog. Cheers!
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While I haven’t exactly taken a break per say, I have slowed down with the posting. Only posting half as much as normal. We are having a great summer! Lots of hot sunny days!
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Oh, Elen! I’m so sorry for your loss. Our furbabies are definitely lights and deeply missed when they are gone. And I’m very glad you feel better. Sending you big hugs!
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Thank you, Diana. This has not been a good ten months. I love seeing your furbabies on INSTA. They always make me smile. I look forward to hearing more about your trip abroad. Cheers!
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Nice to meet you via Thom and his Immortal Jukebox. You don’t mind if I follow, I too am an ardent dog lover. Chris.
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Delighted, Chris. Welcome.
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Thank you.
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Glad to see you back but sorry you lost your Grace companion. I hope fall treats you better.
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Thank you, Bunty. I’m glad to be back.
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Sorry about Gracie. Twelve years is a long time for a dog. Welcome back!
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Thanks, John. Yes, it is a long time for a Golden Retriever. The vet said they’re not living much beyond ten years anymore. We felt lucky to have her as long as we did.
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