Hi everyone,
Am feeling a bit melancholy this holiday season and have been thinking about and missing Ray a lot. Have been thinking of all of our friends and supporters here too and hope this finds you well.
It’s been about three months since Ray left us. We have since adopted a young Golden surrendered by a family who couldn’t care for him, so the house is active with new life and the fun of having a “toddler” – one who didn’t have much of a chance to express himself and socialize, as he was apparently shoved into a crate most of the time. It’s been…interesting!
While I love our new addition (dubbed “Monty” for Monty Python) – he is definitely not Ray. And that’s no one’s fault. And while it’s been a welcome transition for my husband, who Monty adores, it’s a bit more difficult for me. Ray was my baby. He was perfect. I think I can still feel his presence in my office while I’m working. And when I think maybe it’s Monty I’m sensing, I look down to find no one is there.
Of course, we are creating new habits and new routines. But I can’t help longing for the nightly steps Ray and I had. He would, without fail, come to bed when I did. He would sit by my side of the bed and allow me to hug and smooch on him for as long as I liked/needed, and then I would gesture for him to lay down. Just before I would switch off the light at my bedside, Ray would glance back over his shoulder at me as if to say “Goodnight, Mommy.” I would stroke him one last time and turn off the light. It was reassuring to both of us, I think. I miss it so much.
Not sure what I’m trying to say here except that I guess I welcome the fresh start of a new year. Losing a beloved pet is never easy and I’m glad we have the opportunity to help another sweet creature through life with love and support. I just really wish circumstances had been different, and Ray had been here to show Monty the ropes too. But we don’t always get that choice, so we make the best of the options we have.