Monday, March 29, 2010

Our Beloved Lilly

Our Sweet Dog, Lilly

Our sweet little dog, Lilly, died Saturday morning.

I am almost still too sad to write this.

Lilly was almost 11, and she had been a beloved member of our family for 9 years. Everyone who knows our family personally, knows Lilly was part of our family. We are all devastated and just heartbroken. She was a house dog, and wherever we were, Lilly was there too. She slept either under my bed (on top of my bed at the foot when she could still jump up there) or on Olivia's or Julie's bean bags in their rooms. Olivia's bean bag was covered with a blanket she had made. We wrapped Lilly in that blanket before we buried her.....outside the window beside our kitchen table. The children cut locks of her fur, and they removed three squares from the blanket. We spent an hour and a half petting her and telling her goodbye, and Jimmy led us in prayer....then we said our final goodbyes.

I never knew I would grieve that dog so much! Of course, we are all soberly reminded of how brief life is. How none of us know when this day will be our last, so we must make the most of every day, make the most of every opportunity. Express our love and thankfulness to our family every day. Death always puts things in the proper perspective. This has given us the chance to teach our children to draw comfort from the Lord. I have explained to them over and over again that God knows how much they are hurting. He loves them. He can comfort them. Jimmy led a song in our church service last night, Does Jesus Care?. And the answer is yes, He cares, I know He cares.

Yesterday Jimmy lovingly combed through over 10,000 pictures, selected, and had printed over 170....all of the pictures with Lilly in them. He put them in an album and gave it to the children last night. What an awesome and thoughtful gift.

I am not sure which is harder.....watching my husband and children grieve so deeply or the loss of Lilly itself.

I am really too sad to write anymore.

12 comments:

  1. So sorry y'all are going through this. You are so correct that we never know what tomorrow holds, so we have to live each day to the fullest, in God's will. Grief is so hard, but God will provide all you need. Hang in there, everyday will get better. Praying for y'all.

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  2. Roan, Our hearts broke for ya'll Saturday when we heard about Lilly. I'm so glad you and Jimmy used this sad experience to honor the Lord and to teach the children how close He is to us and how much He cares for us especially when we are hurt. We still miss our Snick. We planted some tulips around his grave and they are just now coming up. It reminds us that there is still life and beauty all around us to enjoy and wonderful memories of Snick to treasure. I don't know what to say to comfort you all, but I can say, I sort of know how ya'll feel. You all are in our prayers. We love you all. Liesa

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  3. Pets really become a part of our families...I'm so sorry for your loss. I know just how tough this is.

    Mine and Ed's first "child" was a dog named Honey. We had her 13 years. When she died, it was absolutely awful...I still tear up even today when I see pictures of her.

    My brother also recently lost his best buddy, Charlie. My entire family grieved for Charlie. Charlie was a black Lab and he actually stepped in front of my brother and took a snake bite for him when they were hiking one time.

    After giving himself some time to grieve, my brother has decided that the best compliment that he could give Charlie in return for the love, loyalty and companionship Charlie gave him, is to get another Lab puppy, this time a chocolate one. :)

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  4. Still thinking about ya'll! Love you so much!

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  6. We are so sorry you have had to go through this. Pets really do become such an important part of our family don't they? We lost our sweet Heidi (who was 14-German Shepherd) in November. Nothing prepares you for their leaving us. But we were reminded how their sweet lives remind us of that unconditional love that God has to offer us. Especially dogs, they seem to love us no matter what, even when we don't play with them as much or ignore them. Praying the healing is soon and memories are sweet.
    Lyn @ Southern Homeschool Journey
    http://southernhomeschool.blogspot.com/

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  7. ((Roan,))

    I said a prayer for you guys. I am so sorry for your loss. We had a sweet blond cocker, Max, for about 12 years. They do become part of the family. You'll continue to be in my thoughts. Love ~ Connie

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  8. I'm so sorry to hear that! I know what it's like to loose a pet that is part of the family. I found out that I had lost mine last summer when I came home from a vacation! So I know exactly how you feel!

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  9. I am so sorry for your loss :( Our older dog will be 12 this year and she has really started to slow down these past 6 months. Thank you for sharing your grief and your faith.

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  10. Hoping all the wonderful memories of your beloved Lilly bring you some comfort. What a wonderful thing that Jimmy did making such a special album of photos of Lilly. We lost our dog Jess and cat Martin in the last few years and we still miss them dreadfully. Thinking of you all.

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  11. Roan, I'm so sorry for you and your family that you lost your sweet Lilly. Our Sheltie Jonah turned 15 in January, and I know it will be very difficult to tell him goodbye. Take care! Renee' McGill

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