Yesterday we had to say goodbye to Ophelia. Her abdomen had swelled up and the bottom dropped out of my world. Hemangiosarcoma had spread through her spleen and liver and she was bleeding out. We spent Thanksgiving together and while she was a bit wobbly her appetite had not faltered. I was thankful for the years we got to spend together, thankful for the way she showed me how much I meant to her, thankful for her unique talent for driving me crazy and making me laugh all at the same time. Opie-doo had many talents besides what she did in the show ring. Opie was an accomplished interior designer and had the ability to utilize a number of mediums, however, paper products seem to be a favorite. Her designs were rather eclectic, ranging from long strips of toilet paper throughout the house to tiny confetti bits of money, checks and/or IRS forms. Opie could also do impersonations. Vocally, she could imitate a water cooler gurgling and would do that whenever she got excited about something, particularly breakfast. She also could impersonate a lizard hunter. I say impersonate, because while she did hunt for lizards, she was not very good at it. Her perseverance though, never faltered, to the point that she could climb up a tree if she spotted one. The few times she did manage to catch one, no one was more surprised than she. She never really hurt the few she caught. She'd just have this look of astonishment and then bring the lizard to me, pleased as punch. Ophelia was also an inventor. She invented a game we call roof top tennis ball. Opie lived and breathed for two things, food and tennis balls. She liked trying to chase and catch tennis balls well enough and even my youngest ones could never outrun her to one. What she really loved though was having the tennis ball thrown on the roof and trying to figure out exactly where it would come down so she could be the first one to catch it as it fell. With so many talents of course, Ophelia had to have a number of nick names and she answered to them all, Opie, Opie-Doo, Pheepheelia, Phee Phee Gumbo and Phee Phee.
Ophelia left this world in my arms, with a tennis ball in her paws while eating cookies. My heart is broken and I can barely see through the tears and write this and simply don't understand how I even have tears left to cry. I didn't want to go home yesterday from the vet because I simply could not bear the fact that she wouldn't be there with some new design idea, or trying to climb a tree to get her lizards or handing me a tennis ball and running to the side of the house waiting to play roof top tennis ball. It is so hard for me to accept the fact that these things are no longer a reality but a precious memory. Wally and I are devastated over losing her and we can't believe how empty the house seems without her here.
Terrie, I am so very sorry for your loss. Losing a dog is such a difficult thing. I still miss my Derby, we were fortunate to have shared 14 years with her. Rejoice in your memories and know she loved you.
