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Debbie Austin's avatar

This is so touching, Wendy! I found myself thinking of my good dog, Henley, and what a sweet companion she was to my kids and then to me in a new, challenging situation. I like to think she lived her best life in the country for the last 4 years of her life. Freedom like she'd never known and SNOW! Time to write.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

I wish I'd met her, Debbie! But I'm glad she had such a good life.

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Mary McKnight's avatar

Wendy, this is just so perfect, so true (although I am a Cat Person, I relate). I was working to explain "love" to one of my 4-year-old students who was missing his mom when she dropped him off. He told me, "I love her so much," through many tears. I said as I held him in my lap (he fell into my arms), "Love is complicated, isn't it? We love and feel so happy and that same love hurts like no other when we aren't with them. But, it's all good love, because good love, sticks." Thank you for your beautiful piece today, Wendy.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

You get it completely, Mary! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on love.

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Robin Kolb's avatar

Beautiful and touching as always. I'll hug my doggos extra hard today :-)

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

Do you recognize the dog bed in one of those pictures?

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Janet Zupan's avatar

What a lovely way to address the desire to create, to write, as springing from the same bottomless well that holds the love for a sweet pup. The photos are so touching. Thanks for bringing some light to this dark morning, portending winter storms beyond the window, as I struggle with another chapter and think of the dogs I've loved in my lifetime.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

So glad I could help enlighten this dark morning for you, Janet! I probably should have waited until Friday, when it'll be dark AND cold.

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Will Bain's avatar

It's good to be reminded of old Tenz again! He was quite a character.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

He was your special boy. We'll always miss him.

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

Beautiful ❤️

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

Thanks for reading!

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Mark Kolke's avatar

And who said you can't teach old dogs new tricks? I like that you weave character and dog on the page as might wrestle in our heads with things we can't so easily spill onto the page ...

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

I like to think of all of us as old dogs, constantly learning new tricks whether we want to or not!

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Mark Kolke's avatar

Me too - but predicting our fellow humans' behaviour isn't the same predicting what rover will do!

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Mark Kolke's avatar

I read them all - just don't always have time to 'think before writing' ... and you put so much work into that piece I felt badly not chiming in as so many other fans of yours did. But on that day the 'urge to complement you was in me' but the distractions du jour were too. Still in a dither, but with no time for dithering... All the best to you!

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

I know what you mean. I only like to comment when I have time to think things through thoroughly. So I very much appreciate that you came back here to do just that!

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Mark Kolke's avatar

on days like this I smile, and miss my dog a lot. They are such great guides - whether or not we think we are blind, they know we need them to help us see.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

This is so true, Mark. Thanks for reading!

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Robin Kolb's avatar

Yes! my dogs and I are honored to put that bed to good use!

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Dorothy Patent's avatar

I love this piece, Wendy. I feel the same way about that contract, especially when something terrible happens. But I didn’t sign up for this!! I think. But if you can cry into the fur on the neck of your most loyal friend you can survive and move on over time.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

Well said, Dorothy! I agree completely.

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Suzanne Morrone's avatar

You are an amazing writer. This clearly touched the hearts of lots of your readers, not just me. But I think we are friends because we really see the world in a similar way. Writing, and my dogs, make life bearable. It's as simple as that. I loved seeing the picture of you and Mothie. I know losing each of your dogs tore off a piece of your heart, but it grew a new part for the next dog. Happens to me, too. and writing though all the changes, losses, fears, and even joys... writing is a world away from it all, even if we immerse ourselves in our characters losses, joys, and fears. You brought all this to this post. I appreciate you so much. And feel tears ... lots and lots of tears for what is gone. And lots of excitement for what's coming next. ❤️

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

I love how you think of your heart growing new pieces for new dogs. That's a wonderful way to look at it. And yes, we are kindred spirits indeed!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

This was so heartwarming. Thank you for sharing your own journey and difficulties with change. Dogs truly are a gift to humans. When a drastic change occurs, it's my dog who comforts me. And hubby, but Apollo fits perfectly in the curve of my arm.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

Dogs always know when comfort is needed, don't they? Thanks so much for reading, Carissa!

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Janet Fox's avatar

Just lovely. Our dog is in his senior years and..........

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

Aw. There is nothing sweeter than an old dog.

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Jim Melvin's avatar

I know this is said so often nowadays that it has almost become cliche, but the only way I get by is by living in the present.

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Wendy Parciak's avatar

There's a reason those cliches exist. They're quite true! Thanks for reading, Jim.

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Carol A Foote's avatar

A moving and thoughtful column, Wendy. Yes, how we love our dogs! And how hard it is to say goodbye, not just to dogs, but to so many things in our lives.

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