Love All Around August 12, 2008

This last week was an incredibly difficult week in our household.   As some readers may know, my husband and I have been struggling with our very old dog for some time now.  Maddy, our first “baby”, an adorable black lab mix with an easy-going and loving temperment has been on a slow decline for a long time.  Unfortunately in the last month, that decline has accelerated…. multiple accidents in the house a day, difficulity walking, deafness, blindness and finally, a cancer diagnosis.  It had reach the point where a VERY difficult decision needed to be made. 

My husband had tried to have this discussion multiple times but I kept trying to delay it.  Eventually, it could not be avoided any longer.  Once I was finally able to face what needed to be done, it became apparent that we had to help the kids say goodbye to Maddy.  This was a very sad, teary process that involved eulogies, chocolate (both for us and the dog), lots of petting and special doggie treats. 

As much as I knew that this needed to happen, I was not prepared for the pain of actually saying goodbye.  As my 10 year old said the night before, “I am going to have a hole in my heart.”  There definitely is a space in our life that feels very empty right now.  Even knowing that we made the right decision, has not diminished the emptiness of her absence.

As our family struggles to fill this hole, it seemed destined for me to discover this ”simple line drawing honoring friendship between all creatures” by Love All  Around on etsy.  This basic drawing  printed on recycled paper captured for me the love and memories that we shared with Maddy.  I felt like with just a few strokes this talented New York artist captured the love that humans and animals can share.  It was easy and comforting for me to see our little boys hugging Maddy in this drawing.  Visit her etsy shop to see her many beautiful drawings.