Sunday, December 23, 2007

A Very, Very, Sad Day

For those of you who don't consider pets part of the family you might as well stop reading now.

Ben and I had always wanted a dog and when we moved to Los Angeles we finally had the chance. We made sure to rent a place that was large enough, and with a yard, and that allowed pets. We knew we could never buy a dog, I was brought up with rescue dogs (we always had at least two, sometimes as many as four) and they were always the quirkiest and sweetest mutts imaginable.

We adopted Rita in early August of 2006 and she was quite the feisty pup. A rescue dog multiple times over, she was up in years (about 6 or 7 when we got her) so she wasn't a dog that anyone else wanted. But she was sweet and adorable (in an unidentifiable mutt type of a way) and we loved her immediately. From the day we adopted her she became an important part of our family, traveling with us every time we hit the road, and taking up most of our conversations with friends and family.

Last night she had a terrible accident and didn't make it. Ben took her to the emergency vet, but it was too late and there was nothing they could do. We are so so heartbroken. While she wasn't young she had so many years left in her and since it was so sudden and unexpected, it was especially hard to handle. If you're not a pet person this whole thing may seem a little over exaggerated, but if you've ever loved a pet as a part of your family, I hope you'll understand how much pain this has caused us.

At this Christmas time it's just another reminder to me, to love your friends and family fiercely, and to tell them every day how much they mean to you. Savoring every moment is the only way to live life. We will miss our little Rita dearly!


5 comments:

Jillian Kay said...

Katy, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for the reminder to love "fiercely".

MM said...

Katy, I am so sorry for your loss. Rita was an adorable dog. I came home last night to my 12 year old cat (my baby) limping for no reason. I was grateful that she was ok today.

**Hugs**

OHANA PHOTOGRAPHERS said...

we are so sorry for your loss. we love our dogs just like family too. we lost one of our pups last year on new years to a very freak and unfortunate accident. it was a long sad night, we feel for you.
merry christmas guys.

DrewB said...

Katy, I am so sorry for your loss! My little rescue dog is my baby and I can't imagine what I would do if something happened to him. Just know that you gave Rita such a happy life while she was with you and try to remember all the good times you had with her.

J said...

So sorry for your loss of Rita! We are big dog people ourselves(even put them on our holiday stamps and cards)...mutts are the best.

May the New Year bring you happiness and maybe a new puppy :)