My beloved pet dog of 13 years passed away on saturday. I just wanted to share a few words i wrote about Blackie. I know not everyone understands the grief of losing a pet and as already has been said to me, sure cant you get another dog..I know how much ye all love pets here and i said id share my story of the dog i loved so much...
My dog Blackie
I remember the first day she came into my life. It was Friday September 28th 2001. I had a half day at school that day, and I decided to go down to my local chip shop to buy my beloved chicken burger and large chips. In those days I was a lonely 12 year old boy. I didn’t have many friends. I was overweight and I wasn’t like the other boys in my class. I was useless at sports, had no interest in sports, and immediately that placed me on the outsider circle. My passion was music and fast food! I toddled home and just as I was about to empty my chips into the plate, my mother said Greig come out to the shed. I have a surprise for you. I proceeded to walk towards the shed anticipating what could be inside. Mam opened the shed door and there she was a small black dog with the saddest round eyes I have ever seen, she was clearly undernourished and had rings around her eyes. Dad had bought her for five euros and a pint. She wasn't a classic beauty that’s for sure, but I feel in love instantly.
The first two years of Blackies life was very eventful. She fell pregnant and gave birth to five pups. She survived not one, but 4 car crashes. I remember the vet telling us that she will never eat a bone again after her last accident. All her teeth had shifted. Little did he know that up until her final moments she loved nothing more than getting her teeth stuck into a big juicy bone.
In 2002 I remember going on our family holiday to Salou. I still remember my Nana calling us a few days into our holidays telling us how heartbroken blackie was. She must have thought that we had left and she would never see us again. She had to be force fed the first couple of days because her heart was so broken. I will never forget the embrace we shared when I came in the front door after a whole seven days. All our Christmases came at once. We were reunited again.
Blackie lived a simple life. My mam was Blackies master. I tried to sway her, but it never worked. I was too soft. Mam was the disciplinarian, THE BOSS!. Wherever mam went, black would follow. I on the other hand was her best friend. Her big brother in a way we would chase each other around the garden, I’d bring her down for a swim in the river during the summer months. She enjoyed the little things in life, a slice of ham and a good belly rub and black was in canine heaven.
We had an amazing relationship. She was my best friend, even though she never spoke a word to me in her short life, she understood me more than nearly anyone I know. I was a lonesome boy, and she filled the empty void I had in my heart. I found school challenging but knowing that my black was there when I came home was a constant reassurance. She helped me more than she will ever realise. She was my confident. I could tell her anything and know that she wouldn’t hold it against me. She provided unconditional loyalty and Love.
I have never met a dog quite like my Black. She loved to be involved and feel part of a group. If mam had people over, she would be right in the centre of them all. All the children loved Blackie. She was so gentle and loving. Maybe I’m being biased because I loved her so much but I believe she was the greatest dog to have ever walked on this earth. She was also a budding actress. She played the role of Annie’s Dog in a local musical. I’m still in disbelief she didn't become the new Toto, and made us a fortune, but then again they do say fame changes you.
Blackie passed away on Saturday the 7TH June 2014. My mam and I both stayed with her while she took her final breath and left this earth. In my mind I replay the incident all over. The vet preparing the needle of doom, while I stare into her eyes, choking back the tears, telling her everything will be ok. “I love my black” “you are my world”. In just a matter of seconds, she had gone.
I have never felt pain like this in my life. Blackie has been an integral part of my life journey since I was 12. All I want to do is hold her one last time and tell her how much I loved her. What hurts the most is just how personal the pain is. Not everyone can comprehend how painful it is to lose a pet. . An article I read which summed up pet grief perfectly stated that losing your pet is a very isolated grief. People aren't calling to my house with Mass cards and throwing their arms around me, but that’s ok. Blackie left this world like she entered it, without a fuss. We were her world and she was ours. Maybe in time I’ll have another dog, and ill love that dog unconditionally, but one thing is for certain. No animal will ever replace Blackie and the love I hold for her. She will live on forever in my heart. I love you Blackie!
My dog Blackie
I remember the first day she came into my life. It was Friday September 28th 2001. I had a half day at school that day, and I decided to go down to my local chip shop to buy my beloved chicken burger and large chips. In those days I was a lonely 12 year old boy. I didn’t have many friends. I was overweight and I wasn’t like the other boys in my class. I was useless at sports, had no interest in sports, and immediately that placed me on the outsider circle. My passion was music and fast food! I toddled home and just as I was about to empty my chips into the plate, my mother said Greig come out to the shed. I have a surprise for you. I proceeded to walk towards the shed anticipating what could be inside. Mam opened the shed door and there she was a small black dog with the saddest round eyes I have ever seen, she was clearly undernourished and had rings around her eyes. Dad had bought her for five euros and a pint. She wasn't a classic beauty that’s for sure, but I feel in love instantly.
The first two years of Blackies life was very eventful. She fell pregnant and gave birth to five pups. She survived not one, but 4 car crashes. I remember the vet telling us that she will never eat a bone again after her last accident. All her teeth had shifted. Little did he know that up until her final moments she loved nothing more than getting her teeth stuck into a big juicy bone.
In 2002 I remember going on our family holiday to Salou. I still remember my Nana calling us a few days into our holidays telling us how heartbroken blackie was. She must have thought that we had left and she would never see us again. She had to be force fed the first couple of days because her heart was so broken. I will never forget the embrace we shared when I came in the front door after a whole seven days. All our Christmases came at once. We were reunited again.
Blackie lived a simple life. My mam was Blackies master. I tried to sway her, but it never worked. I was too soft. Mam was the disciplinarian, THE BOSS!. Wherever mam went, black would follow. I on the other hand was her best friend. Her big brother in a way we would chase each other around the garden, I’d bring her down for a swim in the river during the summer months. She enjoyed the little things in life, a slice of ham and a good belly rub and black was in canine heaven.
We had an amazing relationship. She was my best friend, even though she never spoke a word to me in her short life, she understood me more than nearly anyone I know. I was a lonesome boy, and she filled the empty void I had in my heart. I found school challenging but knowing that my black was there when I came home was a constant reassurance. She helped me more than she will ever realise. She was my confident. I could tell her anything and know that she wouldn’t hold it against me. She provided unconditional loyalty and Love.
I have never met a dog quite like my Black. She loved to be involved and feel part of a group. If mam had people over, she would be right in the centre of them all. All the children loved Blackie. She was so gentle and loving. Maybe I’m being biased because I loved her so much but I believe she was the greatest dog to have ever walked on this earth. She was also a budding actress. She played the role of Annie’s Dog in a local musical. I’m still in disbelief she didn't become the new Toto, and made us a fortune, but then again they do say fame changes you.
Blackie passed away on Saturday the 7TH June 2014. My mam and I both stayed with her while she took her final breath and left this earth. In my mind I replay the incident all over. The vet preparing the needle of doom, while I stare into her eyes, choking back the tears, telling her everything will be ok. “I love my black” “you are my world”. In just a matter of seconds, she had gone.
I have never felt pain like this in my life. Blackie has been an integral part of my life journey since I was 12. All I want to do is hold her one last time and tell her how much I loved her. What hurts the most is just how personal the pain is. Not everyone can comprehend how painful it is to lose a pet. . An article I read which summed up pet grief perfectly stated that losing your pet is a very isolated grief. People aren't calling to my house with Mass cards and throwing their arms around me, but that’s ok. Blackie left this world like she entered it, without a fuss. We were her world and she was ours. Maybe in time I’ll have another dog, and ill love that dog unconditionally, but one thing is for certain. No animal will ever replace Blackie and the love I hold for her. She will live on forever in my heart. I love you Blackie!
