Saying goodbye to old friends

A couple weeks ago, this space was devoted to moments from my weekend spent reconnecting with old friends. Our time together was full of childhood stories, spontaneous laughter, good-natured teasing and “remember whens.” When we parted, we said, “See you soon” and made promises to get together more often.

Recently, I got together with another old friend. Our time together was quieter. The conversation was one-sided, the laughter subdued, and the memories all in my head. I was with Sage, our family dog. She has been slowing down the past few years, and the Woodens were well aware of what needed to be done.

Faced with that fact, I spent the weekend doing our favorite things. We went for a walk, explored at the river and when I was giving her pets, she put her paw on my leg just as she has done hundreds of times before. Having the luxury of saying goodbye doesn’t make the process any easier. My parents got Sage 15 years ago, just a few weeks after I moved home when I got divorced. Not too long after she came to live with us, she broke her leg while playing with our other dog. From that day forward, Sage would awkwardly squat with one leg sticking straight out. She was the best companion, going for a walk with Mom every morning. She loved digging for gophers, fetching sticks in the river and chasing airplanes. She’s been the best companion for all of us.

Ask any pet owner – particularly dog owners – the hardest part of owning a furry friend. Is it the potty training? Is it the late-night cold-nose nudges for a trip outside? Is it the endless vacuuming or the crazy barking or the cost of food? No. The tough moments of a pet’s time with us are far outweighed by the good they bring to our families. The hardest part, by far, is saying goodbye to an animal that has sat by our fires for thousands of years.

The domestication of animals is an unclear, slow, complex process, and at what point that transformation took place depends on the animal, the people, and the location. Dogs appear to be one of the earliest animals to be brought into our homes, probably for practical purposes as civilizations realized that they could be used for hunting, protection, work, and warmth.

But what we may not have bargained for was the intense love we humans would develop for these four-legged creatures we took from the wild and invited into our lives. The day we adopt any animal we know, deep down, that we will likely outlive them. That does not stop us from seeking their companionship or their love, because we understand all the memories of our “good boys” and “good girls” make it worthwhile.

Last week we said goodbye to Sage. We will miss you, our loyal and beautiful companion. The loss is deep, and the grief is real. Give your pets an extra scratch behind the ear and kiss on the nose today. They enrich our lives beyond measure.

— Annie Wooden