I was driving when the voicemail message played letting me know that Pippin was ready for me to come pick up. That was over a week ago and I still haven't gone to bring her home. This happened when Scooby passed away too. I'm not sure if it's denial or avoidance but whatever the reason, losing a beloved Brittany since John died has only served to compound whatever grief I'm feeling at any given moment. Or not. Not to say I'm living in a state of grief all the time or unable to accept or move forward because I like to think I have. Grief is something we learn to co-exist with. It's always there. Often, grief is described as the price we pay for having loved deeply. As well as having been loved deeply.
In December 2022 I was making plans to spend the winter on Hatteras Island, North Carolina. My son and daughter in law had fashioned an amazing living space for me in their home. They invited me down to get away from the hassle of living in Maine in the winter. I would have my own private apartment! They were also providing a way for me to stay there with all 4 of my dogs. A few days before Christmas Pippin unexpectedly lost the use of her back legs. She was trembling, scared, and confused. I had medication available to treat her and keep her comfortable that night with intentions to bring her to the vet in the morning. She slept soundly for many hours, not stirring at all. At one point I thought she may have passed in her sleep. In the morning however, she was back to being her spunky little self. I believe prayers were answered. From that point on, while there was still some weakness in her back legs, her health remained good.
In January with the help of my son, daughter in law, and grandson we all drove from Maine to NC with all four dogs. Pippin, Hemi, Holly, Revere and I totally enjoyed the next three months on the Outer Banks. There was a long flight of stairs leading to "my apartment" and I was worried Pippin would struggle with them. That was not the case at all! She bravely and confidently tackled them without any issue. The time we were there was filled with love, happiness, joy and contentment. Plus, walks on the many beautiful beaches and wonderful priceless times with family. I was there for the birth of my 5th great-grandchild and enjoyed being with them all. It was a time of healing and restoration for me.
As winter came to an end the trip home was made and I settled back in Maine with my pups. I left part of my heart there in N.C. for sure! We got back into our usual routine here and soon spring turned into summer, and then summer into fall. We didn't have much of a summer here weatherwise at all. But the two brief heatwaves we had knocked the life out of Pippin. Although never confirmed, I suspected Pip had cancer. She had been full of lumps and bumps as many older dogs sometimes are. But there were a couple of undeniable masses and I knew it was a matter of time.
I'm a firm believer in not letting your dog's last day be their worst day. She was not in pain, she was still eating and drinking, eliminating on her own, even having a rare crazy puppy spurt complete with zoomies! Her greatest joy seemed to be living her life as my constant companion, following me wherever I went, always nearby with her eye fixed on me. She and Revere still played with each other, and he was so gentle with his great-grandmother. It was so amazing to watch their interaction.
To have known Pippin, and to remember her is to imagine the most animated, determined, strong-willed, intelligent, sweet and loving bundle of Brittany ever! She was a singleton, and to paraphrase Tigger, "the wonderful thing about Pippins, is I'm the only one!" One in a million. I have so many happy memories of Pippin. Funny stories, photographs that make me laugh, and thoughts of those times when she was completely exasperating!
After Treasure's passing in March 2020
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