Teaching Team
Amazing "Millie" Grace
It was last Friday afternoon and about an hour and a half before Shabbat began here in the Ozarks. I rushed out the door to do one last errand before Shabbat began.
As I ran out to the car and quickly pulled it out of the garage, I noticed that our dog Millie was outside. I knew that as soon as I started driving down the driveway that she would begin to chase the car. She always ran next to the car as fast as she could and then eventually would give up at the end of the driveway and stop in her tracks and watch me drive away wondering when I was going to return. I thought for a brief moment about putting her back in the house so that I wouldn't have to worry about her getting to close to the car but eventually I just started down the driveway.
She began to run as fast as ever and I could see her in the rearview mirror. I looked back once more hoping she would give up soon when I noticed I could no longer see her. Then I heard one of the most awful sounds of my life. "Thump" and the car bounced a little as if I had just run over something. I stopped the car immediately and got out. Millie was hobbling around on one back leg and soon collapsed on the ground. I ran over to her and tried to help but in desperation she bit me. She has never bit me and at that very moment I knew something was very wrong. I then ran to the house and told my wife Shannon to call our neighbor for help, but by the time I got back to her, her eyes were rolled back. She then took one last look at me and breathed her last.
The next hour was a blur. Between the tears, the emotions, and burying our beloved dog, my family was in a mess. We gathered round where we were burying her and said the traditional prayer "Blessed is He the true judge" and then offered up some final words to Millie. Although it may sound funny to some, for us a member of the family had died.
Millie came to us at a difficult time of transition to a new life here in Missouri. She was a bright spot and was always there to cheer us up. Although I was the last one to agree that we should get a dog, she was my baby form the first time I saw her. She was the first one to greet me each time I came home and would often try to take Shannon's side of the bed at night.
She loved our children too. She was always running outside with them or laying next to them on the floor while they played with toys. She was the perfect fit for our family.
It was earlier that day while I was doing some yard work outside in the rain, that I took a moment to appreciate her. She stuck by my side and kept me company on an especially cold and damp day. I thought to myself how blessed we were to have a dog like her.
As a family we have spent the past few days grieving the loss of our dog. We've shared all the stories we can think of. While we don't understand why she had to die before she was even a year old, we trust that everything is in HaShem's care. I have heard of famous sages who die young because their work was done. In a few short years they had managed to accomplish what most of us cannot in a lifetime. Maybe in a limited way the same is true with our Millie, her work being the happiness she brought to our family. One thing is for certain, she made a positive, lasting impact on our family. Her contagious little smile will live on in our hearts. We will miss Millie Grace, but we are so thankful to ur Father in Heaven for giving us to her for the time he did.
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Visitor Feedback:
Toby & Family,
I am so very sorry about Millie. Words are sometimes not adequate to express one's feelings & thoughts....but, I really am very sorry for your loss.
Many Blessings & Shalom to you all.
Cheryl :-)
C.A. Worcester | November 17, 2008 7:11 PM
Toby and family, I am so sorry for your loss :(
It's so difficult to let go of our beloved pets. Yes, they are family, and it hurts very much. We had a very similar situation three years ago with one of our cats, it was so hard to let go of her. May HaShem give you and your family comfort at this time.
Katia
Katia | November 17, 2008 9:03 PM