Thread by @NortherlyRose

#Thread
It’s almost 12 months since I adopted Waffle the dog, which means it is nearly a year since Izzy my Border Terrier died.
There’s no schedule or timetable for grieving the loss of loved ones, and no difference for me between those who have 4 legs and 2.
#DogsOfTwitter
1/

The photo of Izzy licking an ice cream was the last photo my father-in-law ever saw.
My partner was called to the hospital where his Dad was dying.
Izzy and I stayed at home, waiting for the inevitable news.
A few weeks later we went out to sea to scatter some of his ashes.
2/

This was how I chose to remember my father-in-law, a former naval officer who spent most of his life landlocked in suburbia.
His old cine films had lots of shots where he stood gazing out to sea.
We watched as his ashes tumbled down into the dark swirling depths of the waves.
3/

Life moves in circles. The mourners become the ones we grieve for.
We didn’t expect Izzy to die so soon.
The compensation was a glorious last summer when we went out walking every day.
When we got home Izzy would fall fast asleep in my arms.
I still miss the weight of her.
4/

Izzy’s paws smelt like biscuits.
I miss that too.
Some people said it was far too soon to get another dog, I had to get over losing Izzy first.
But to do that I needed another companion, so I disregarded what they said, and set aside any thoughts it being somehow ‘improper’.
5/

Waffle is a joy to be with.
She is unreservedly enthusiastic about life.
People often ask what sort of a dog she is.
We have never been sure.
Her original family thought Waffle was a Cockerpoo / Bichon.
The groomer thought she was part terrier.
So my partner bought a DNA kit!
6/

Waffle’s DNA results are back, and they’ve proved to be surprisingly delightful.
Who would have thought Waffle would have Border Terrier and Chihuahua heritage?
Her Bichon, Shih Tzu and Parson Russell characteristics are easy to see, and she behaves very much like a terrier!
7/

The next time someone asks me what sort of dog Waffle is when we’re out walking I can say she’s a lovely blend of breeds.
I’ve never even heard of some of them, like the Danish Swedish Farm Dog (or Danish Pinscher) and the Havanese (the national dog of Cuba).
#DogsOfTwitter
8/

The fact that Waffle is mainly terrier explains why she’s always digging, and my lawn is full of holes!
The year has almost completed its circle, we have been through the dog days now.
Autumn and winter still lie ahead of us, with the promise of renewal in the season beyond.
9/

‘Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born...’
#MaryOliver
#DogsOfTwitter
10/

‘What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?’
‘A dog can never tell you what she knows from the
smells of the world, but you know, watching her,
that you know
almost nothing.’
#MaryOliver
11/ end

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