Searching for that Silver Lining

2020...a year of...life.

I've been working hard to find the blessings in this crazy year.  I've managed a whole lot of positives through crafty endeavors and family time,

and, thank God, none of us or our family has been infected by Covid 19.

Our greatest loss was this fellow.

Nine years ago, a parent from the school where my husband and I were teaching convinced him that he was the right person to adopt this puppy, coming from an abusive situation.  

I said NO, no, no!  Until I met the little guy.

To be honest, it felt like a bit of bait and switch from the time I met him as a squirrelly tiny little furry white creature to two weeks later when this chunky friend came home to us.

He and my kid became fast friends, with a whole lot of shenanigans throughout the years.

How many dogs do you know who will engage in a light saber battle with you?

It's a good thing for a kid to have a furry friend throughout his childhood...

Even after work with a trainer, we realized that the abuse he suffered in his early days of life had left a real impact on him.  He never adapted to strangers well, so we had to keep him on a tight leash in public.  But within our family, he loved and was loved.  It was his happy place.

No cone of shame with this guy.  He wore it regally.

He may have weighed 70 pounds, but he was a definite lap dog.

Especially when visiting the vet...not his favorite place to be.

Yogi was the best crafty companion ever.  I think I knit and sewed a bit of his dog hair into every single project I've ever made.

In the last days of May, Yogi was sick.  We soon realized that what we thought was an upset stomach was much worse.  Our visit to the vet revealed advanced pancreatic cancer.  He went from a vibrant, happy dog to a weak and very ill friend in two days.

We needed to make the decision during that visit to say goodbye to end his suffering.  

May 30, 2020.

Because of Covid, we weren't there for his final moments.  Instead, we had the precious opportunity to be with him outside the clinic while a sedative took effect.  I just can't really put into words how profound that moment was.  It still breaks my heart that we couldn't be with him after they carried him into the vet's office to stroke his head when he passed over to the Rainbow Ridge.  

But in a crazy way, I was so grateful for the stay-at-home orders.  His final two months of life were spent with the people he loved the most...he had our constant presence and non-stop opportunities to cuddle with us.  To know how much he was loved.

We were so blessed to share in his life on this earth.  God knew that Yogi needed our family and our family needed Yogi.  

Rest in peace, dear and faithful friend.