Mo Chuisle Molly

Christmas Memories of Molly

2006-12-23T05:03:00.000-08:00

The other day I found this Christmas picture of Molly and Daphne taken on Molly's last Christmas in 2003.

That was the last time that she got up on the sofa. The DM had progressed to the point where she needed help to walk. For some reason she wanted to be on the sofa again and asked John to help her up where she surveyed her world from a loftier vantage point.

This was the second of two memorable occasions that winter. The first took place when Molly who had not been walking more than half of a block at a time, gifted me on my birthday with her last walk around the block.

John and I were both shocked when she kept pulling on the leash, but she was persistent, as if to say "it's not over with yet" so don't give up on me.

Yesterday as I was reflecting on a conversation that I had earlier in the day with Ben, a reporter from the local newspaper who came to see Holling, I thought of Molly's last year and Ben's question regarding whether I'd do it all over again.

It was the little things - like Molly walking around the block on my birthday, asking to get up on the sofa at Christmas, waiting patiently by the door every day to have her car ride and expecting to stop for "one dog's worth of turkey" ($1's worth of freshly roasted turkey at the Concord sandwich shop)...yes, the little things that kept telling me that despite all of her challenges, she still wanted to "hang around a bit longer."

So Ben, the answer to your question is ..... Yes, I would do it all over again, given that the same resources are still available to me.

Peace everyone.

Sharon

My dear Mo Chuisle

2006-11-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Molly and Holling,

A few weeks ago Holling decided to make his forever home here with us. We're very happy that he likes it enough to stay :-)

You can read the update on his blog. Just click on the link Holling.blogspot.com

I'm thrilled to see that there is indeed enough room in my heart for another German Shepherd dog. Thanks mo chuisle, for sharing with Holling. You are a generous spirit.

Sharon

Sad News

2006-07-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

On the GSRNE list today I read about another dog who bloated and lost his battle. It's terribly sad that they have to suffer so. From the GSRNE website:

I found a penny today
Just laying on the ground,
But it's not just a penny
This little coin I've found.

Found pennies come from heaven
That's what my Grandpa told me,
He said , "Dog-Angels toss them down."
Oh, how I loved that story.

He said, "When a Dog-Angel misses you
He tosses a penny down,
Sometimes just to cheer you up
To make a smile out of your frown."

So don't pass by that penny
When you're feeling blue,
It may be a penny from heaven
That your dog has tossed to you.

Hi to all of my friends in the Juvenile 3 Group!

2006-04-05T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Last night when we posted to your blog we told you that it snowed in Boston during the winter. Well, we were really suprised to wake up this morning and find that the snow was falling. It's supposed to be spring here!

Here is a picture that Sharon took of me a few minutes ago in our backyard. The white spots are snowflakes!

We'll talk to you again soon.

Woof, woof,

Holling

Holling and Bandit like to sleep together!

2006-04-05T14:41:00.000-07:00

Whiskas and Bandit 2005

2006-04-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

Cassie March 2005

2006-04-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Bandit and Dafne April 2006

2006-04-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

Holling Comes to Live with Us

2006-03-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Mo Chuisle,

It's difficult for me to believe that I started this blog almost a year ago and it has taken me so long to get back to it. It takes an eternity to find a comfortable place when a beloved companion takes another path.

Please meet Holling aka "my boy." I really never thought there would ever be room for another German Shepherd Dog in my heart. Now that I think about it, I was selfish, huh?

Woofie, "my boy" is "older" as were you, and as you can see he's a bit worse for wear. He can't see too well and he doesn't hear anything, plus he's missing part of his tongue, so there are cookie crumbs all over the floor. I love him anyway! Isn't that what it's all about?

My boy came just before Christmas and we've made a lot of progress in the last three months. His new diet has put a sparkle in his eyes. Dianne says his fur coat is beautiful now.

It's not certain how long "my boy" will be here as he's available for adoption, which is okay with me. The important thing is that he has love and good care for the rest of his life.

Ta me chomh doirte sin duit, mo chuisle.

The Older Man in Molly's life....

2005-05-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Loper aged 15 and Molly 12 1/2 April 2004

Woofie, I hope that you and Loper are having a good time playing at the Rainbow Bridge. Isn't it great to be able to run with the wind and jump over the rainbows? Have lots of fun and dog biscuits!

Sleep gently with the stars at night in the cradle of the moon.

Sharon

Before we start....a bit about me and animals

2005-05-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

Molly July 2004

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
- Anatole France

Before Molly came to live me me I had enjoyed the companionship of dogs for almost all of my life. It is my belief that all living things are deeply connected and as such, we humans bear the responsibility to respect, protect and provide loving care for our animal companions. It's the least that we can do.

I have always had a deep and loving attachment for all "fur coat" members of my family, but my love for Molly was special. Over the years, people would often comment about the extraordinary bond that had formed between us. It could be because she was a German Shepherd Dog and they are extremely loyal to their "people" or perhaps it could have been because she was on borrowed time for so long and I was wholeheartedly committed to her safety and comfort. Then again...it could be simply that I loved her regardless of the situation or the hurdles we had to clear. Borrowed time or not, she was and continues to be my heart song - sometimes a sad, but always a beautiful melody. Whatever the reason, we had a a"fairly good ride" through to the end of the road.

As I revisit my experiences with Molly, I see how our partnership cemented some life lessons for me that previous animal companions had started. As a teacher, and an animal lover, I hope that readers of our story may find some revelations and some resources that they can use on their journeys with beloved four-footed companions.

Molly - the song in my heart

2005-05-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

Molly December 2003

Molly and I met in 1992 when both of us were in the springtime (meaning that neither of us had gray hair or wrinkles :-) ) of our lives. I was visiting a friend in Maine who was living with a family that had adopted Molly as a puppy. I thought that Molly was the most beautiful creature that I had ever seen and enjoyed spending the weekend with her. A year later my friend called to tell me that Molly had been returned to the kennel because her long hair (Molly was a long-haired/coated GSD) was just too messy around the house and the family wanted a smaller dog. Go figure that one out....I didn't hesitate for a minute. I offered Molly a home and thus began my 11 year love affair with "mo chuisle." It was not an easy love affair. Molly was plagued with multiple serious physical challenges over the years.

Nonetheless, she always rose time and time again like the phoenix out of the ashes until August 13, 2004 when I had to say "ta me chomh doirte sin duit." It was a sunny day with a gentle breeze blowing. Molly and I lay on a blanket on the new mown grass under the shade of the maple tree. I bid her adieu with a heavy heart as she was released from pain and left me gently to finally fly home to the angels. Yes, I did say angels...because if there are no dogs in heaven, then you won't find me there.

Adieu Molly...

We have come to a fork in the road
Where we must part and say adieu
But you are never alone
You are always in my heart

Molly, you are finally free -
To run with the wind
To soar with the eagles
To jump over a rainbow
To play hide and seek in the clouds

Molly you are finally free -
To wink at the sun
To dance with the stars
To laugh with the moon beams

...until we meet again

And so my Molly, dhá chroí le chéile, ar neamhchead do na achar.

Do Not Weep....
James Wadworth Longfellow

Do not stand at my grave and weep:
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow;
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight;
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry:
I am not there. I did not die.