There’s a post I concocted that’s been sitting on the back burner for over a week, heavy on photos as expected here. I think it’s ready to go but I’m not quite sure… It’s waiting for me to get myself together and dish it out but it ain’t happening right now.
Life is too big and I’m all disjointed.
Chloe doesn’t look at me the way she used to when I say “cheese!” or “walk?”. She isn’t pretending to be aloof.
Her hearing is going, going, gone.
I still talk to her as if she can hear me. I love her and hold her close more often and let her feel my voice on her skin.
She is often lost and looking around to find me as her sight is going, going, almost gone. She sticks to me like glue. I believe she sees a shadow directly ahead. It might be similar to looking through a scope or seeing a light at the end of a tunnel.
Honestly, I miss her.
More black and white.
On the evening before the recent tropical storm arrived, Marbled Salamander planted itself on our driveway. Michael and I moved it to a safer place a few times before the tenacious torrential rains pounded for three days.
Yes, life has been big.
Living hard,
working,
loving,
playing a little,
all
a bit dangerously
and licking my fingers with delight
sometimes.
For now, here is a bird
Light and carefree









28 comments:
All so good, but the salamander. Ahhhh. God's critter.
Awwww--Mary--Chloe in decline. It happens, and we understandably miss these wonderful companions, and grieve at their diminution.
Sweet Chloe.
Aw May, kiss that beautiful gray face on the cheek for me.
Oh a sweet post Mary! Chloe steals my heart :)
((((Mary)))) Not an easy time, nope. Your sweet Chloe feels your love even if she can't see or hear you as well these days.
Such thoughtful photos Mary...you seem to always see the big in the little things! I'm grateful.
What a fun post! I love what you can do with pics! And I hear ya, I often have posts running around in my head for weeks and then I either forget about them or eventually get to post them.
Happy autumn!
Oh Mary...my heart goes out to you and your sweet Chloe. Been there...and still tear up remembering.
The goldfinch pictures...wasn't expecting that. Wasn't expecting that at all. Hugs to you.
PS never seen a salamander like that! Wow!
Dear Chloe; it's so hard when one of our companions begins to age and grows infirm. I'm sure she feels your voice and knows how much you care for her.
This post is pure poetry! Hope life is treating you well, Mary, and the storms have abated.
I fear the day when my pups show their age. But I know I've given them a good life full of love, and I think they know it too. Hugs to Chloe and to her Mom.
I sit here and cry as I read about Chloe. I have just spent an hour sitting in the sun 'talking' to my Badger Darlin', missing him so much that I actually ache with it. So much love, laughter and tears and in this life of ours---but how lucky are we, Mary, to have the love of our furbabies. My heart is so sad for you right now.
I guess there's reason to feel melancholy but not sad... She has good health and a few good years left. The bounce in her step is very puppylike and she can still annoy the heck of me so some things are the same! LOL! It's a shame sight and sound holds her back so much cause I'd love to see her steal and run again.
Aww Mary, Chloe looks so happy and peaceful. She knows her mether loves her so, even if she can't hear or see (I'm talking about Chloe of course, not mether). Bless her puppeh heart. Our old boy spends his days laying around so much, and when he tries to run and play, well, his joints aren't what they used to be, so he trips and falls a lot. But he just keeps goin', so we will appreciate what we have. We lost his sister a few months back, so we are happy to still have him with us. I hope you all didn't sustain any damage from the torrential downpours. Take care!
Aw Mare, poor ol' Chloe. You've given her a good life and please give her a hug and kiss from me! (reminds me of my dear old Candy Sue and even after 14 years, there's not a day that goes by when I don't miss that old doggeh)
Hola Mary,
It's a bit sad to hear about Chloe, but she's still with you, even if you need to speak closer.
I send you both my best wishes.
Besos,
Mel
Oh, Mary... I've loved and lost many such friends in my lifetime. This always seems like the most difficult part: when mortality can be seen.
But she has more time and more joy in her life--and you get to spend it with her! She knows you're there and she knows she's loved. That's what counts.
Hi Mary,
What a lovely post about Chloe. I kind of like dogs when they get to that stage. They become pure being.
The bird on the steering wheel (is it?)! Wonderful composition. I would love to see you do a retrospective of your early shots.
Animals are so perceptive. I wonder if Chloe can see through you, read your reactions to things as if she were seeing them herself.
You've become an extension of her. Such trust she must have learned all these years.
Sweetness, nothing but sweetness.
Dear Mary,
I followed the storm as it came your way. Hope you are in the dry now.
November can be an up and down sort of month. With Chloe having troubles I bet you are being with her as much as possible.
Stay strong,
Sherry
I want to pop that bubble and speak to chloe in smell language..or is that going going gone too? ..hee hee..
Give that precious pup a hug from Balisha.
Oh my, this is the price we pay for loving so much....Like the song says "I could have missed the pain but I would have missed the dance"..don't think any of us would want to miss the dance with our furry friends...take care...
((mary))
all we can do is love 'em
"I still talk to her as if she can hear me."
she can feel you, mary. there is a bond between human and animal — especially a pet — that transcends the known physical perceptions of sight, sound, and smell. she senses your kind heart; your gentle, nurturing soul; your compassion for her, which is why
"I love her and hold her close more often and let her feel my voice on her skin."
is everything she needs from you right now.
and blowing a little bubble or two every now and then doesn't hurt either.
Hi Mary, Just stopped by to say hello. This is such a lovely post. Chloe is wonderful! So sweet.
I hope you are well.
Lin
What to say, Mary. Just sending a hug.
Bawwww. I watch the gray overspread Chet's eyebrows. This post fast-forwards me and brings me to tears. So good that you treasure her while you have her. That is some bubble. Tell her Chet only makes those when there are squirtles around.
Love you.
J.
and I have never ever seen a marbled salamander!!
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