Love Bond

Simon's Pawprints Across My Heart

"People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?  Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

Simon Massie 2/18/98 - 4/24/12

I had to say goodbye to my sweet Simon on 4/24/12.  He was 14 years old with a sassy salt and pepper coat, distinguished eyes and a face that would melt your heart <3. 

Simon's Story

In late February 1998, I walked into the Clark County Humane Society and found this cute, little puppy, who was all black with a stripe of white down his chest.  He was the one.  I was 21, a college senior and determined to get a dog of my own that day.  I had grown up with dogs ever since I can remember and now it was time to get my very first dog that would be all mine - not a family dog, but all mine and mine alone.  I paid $50, named him Simon and immediately went to my parent's house to show him off in hopes that his sweet puppy face would be enough to convince them I hadn't make a mistake.  My mom wasn't thrilled but my dad picked him up and they became besties.  

Simon became a fixture in college life for my senior year at Ohio Northern.  The best memory I have at ONU was attempting to take Simon for a walk on the Green Monster, a 2.5 mile path that jogs all around campus.  I was so excited and he was too being all prancy.  We began the journey and Simon loved it!  Everyone stopped us to ooohh and ahhh over him.  It was at the 1/4 mile that everything started going downhill.  Mind you, Simon's little legs could've only been about 3 inches long.  He started breaking down and flopped in the grass refusing to continue.  I carried him...yes, I said I carried him the rest of the way.  He's lucky he was so cute and only a few pounds!

Simon was my sidekick.  We moved from Ada to Columbus after graduation.  He lived with my parents for 6 months while my job had me traveling unexpectedly out of state.  We moved into a house where I promised him a backyard.  Simon has been with me for almost half my life.  He's experienced happiness, heartache, love, loss, sorrow, life and joy with me.  

Over the past few years as he got older, he slowed down a bit but never let it bother him.  It may have taken him a little longer to get there but he always made it.  I worked with our amazing vet to ensure I did everything in my power to help him.  Simon took a pain pill, an anti-inflammatory and a liver supplement.  Even after all of that, he was still my sweet Simon moseying across the room to get some loving and sticking his entire head in the toy box to pull out his favorite squeaker mat toy.  

Simon fell ill Monday morning.  He was sick to his stomach and didn't want to take any of his medicines.  It continued through to Tuesday morning, when I started to become worried.  He had gone 2 days without his medicines or eating.  Dr. W suggested I bring him in for a quick check-up.  He decided to get an x-ray of Simon's abdomen.  It felt like hours had passed before Dr. W came back into the room.  My heart sank when I saw his face.  He told me he had some bad news.  The x-ray showed a giant mass in Simon's abdomen that was now pushing into his stomach, the cause of the vomiting.  Instantly, the tears came running down my face and I began begging for a course of action.  Dr. W and I had a few discussions over the past year regarding him promising he would let me know when it was time because my main goal was never to let Simon suffer.  I repeatedly reminded him that once in the situation, I would do anything to keep Simon with me but that would be selfish and I wouldn't do that so he needed to be my voice of reason.  The alternative wasn't an option because both Dr. W and I knew I wouldn't have wanted to put Simon through a major abdominal surgery and sending Simon home with pain killers so I could have one more night would've been for me but not the best for him.  On Tuesday 4/24, it was time and even though I would've made a deal with the devil to keep him, the best thing I could do for Simon was to let him go and be free.  I spent awhile with Simon just loving on him, hugging him and kissing his fuzzy little ears.  He was so calm and just rested his head on my arm.  He looked into my face several times.  When Dr. W asked if I was ready, I took Simon's head and held it in my hands looking directly into his sweet, dark eyes and said, "Goodbye kid, I love you!"

I believe in my heart of hearts that Simon held on as long as he could to see me through the time following my Dad's death.  Simon would always sit next to me, give me a reassuring kiss on the nose, and let me hug onto him as long as it took until I cried it out.  I know my Dad was waiting on him in Heaven.  I like to think he gave Simon a big hug, an ear rub and bite of turkey.  

Simon was a great dog and I was lucky he came into my life and let me be his mom.  I love you Simon - now and furever!!  xoxo  (Give Dad a hug for me!)

  

Nothing Left Unspoken

Have you ever held back anything and regretted it later?  What's the saying - woulda, coulda, shoulda?  One thing I know to be true in this wild, wacky world is there were absolutely no words left unspoken between my dad and me.  Dad knew exactly how much I loved and respected him as well as how grateful I was to be his daughter.  I don't believe there was ever a time I didn't say "I love you" before saying goodbye or giving him a hug before leaving the house. 

The last words we both said to each other were..."I love you!" 

Please don't let there be any woulda, coulda, shouldas in your life.  Happy Valentine's Day! <3


 

Thanks for checking on me, Dad!

Dad - how did you know that I needed to hear you today? 

My car is in the shop and I'm driving Dad's Jeep (which is now Brian's car).  I decided to fiddle around with the phone "thingy" and connect my own cell phone to it.  All the while, I was thinking about how Dad was so enamoured with this feature.  He used to make each of us sit and listen as he attempted to demonstrate it, however, he'd tell it to call one of us but the system wouldn't recognize his command.  We'd giggle and he'd get so frustrated.    Dad loved technology but technology did NOT love Dad. 

I finally got my phone paired up with the system and decided to give it a whirl.  I said, "call Nicole!"  The system voice said, "Calling Larry Sinclair," my Dad's best friend.  I freaked out and starting yelling no, no, stop when all of a sudden I hear Dad's voice come through loud and clear over the system saying, "Call Samantha!"  It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard!! 

If it takes me sitting in the car sweet talking that damn lady in the system, I will figure out how to hear Dad again so I can record it and keep it for a rainy day. 

Thanks Dad - I love you too!  xoxo