By Helen Lacey
Yesterday I had a sad day – I lost one of my dogs. Missy had been with us for ten years. She was a tenacious and fearless Tenterfield Terrier who had the heart of a lion. As terriers do, she liked to hunt and since I live on the east coast of Australia there is always plenty of prey. But yesterday she took on a seven foot brown snake, and although she did slay her foe, also got landed with a nasty bite that ultimately took her life.
When I started writing this blog today I thought I could have a woe is me moment . . . but I don’t think I will. What I want to do is celebrate the life of my little friend. We got her as a two year old dog and as ‘grown up’ companion for our new puppy. When we brought her home her name was Sweet Pea, but my husband just couldn’t bring himself to call out that name in the back yard. So she quickly became Missy. She liked to sit on my lap on the lounge (and in the car) and wasn’t easily fooled by a tablet or any medicine disguised in a doggy treat. She once grabbed the electricity meter reader man by the trouser leg and he swung her around off the ground (all of this monitored by my neighbour who was called in by said meter reader as back up because of the ferocious dog in my yard) I did think when I heard this story that he might have meant my one hundred and forty pound Mastiff or my other Staffordshire Bull Terrier – but no, it was Missy wreaking all the havoc. Missy, we discovered as the years went by, had relentless courage and would defend her backyard in earnest. Unlike the highly strung Staffy or uber lazy Mastiff. 
It’s no secret that I am an animal lover – and with horses, birds, dogs, a cat and a house cow named Ginger, my husband often jokes that one day I shall end up on the reality show Animal Hoarders. My four legged friends are a big part of my life and many of them have actually ended up in my books. There’s something precious about the loyalty of a dog, the reserved affection of a cat or the companionship of a horse. Do you have a special animal chum, past or present? Or maybe you have had a few? I had Missy in my life for ten years and that, I believe, makes me very lucky indeed.
Helen, I’m so sorry that Missy didn’t make it after her fight with the snake, but WOW she sounds like a feisty heroine, that’s for sure. Determined to protect. Also love that she enjoyed sitting in your lap whenever and wherever.:) We can learn a lot from our animals, can’t we? I have my little pomeranian Bijou and we adore her. She barks her head off when the pizza delivery guy shows up at the door. We just tell him that her name is “Killer”.:)
Hi Leane – hehe – Killer. I afore Pomeranians. If I was to have an ‘indoor’ dog, that would be my pick. And yes, Missy was certainly fiesty
Hi Helen,
Hugs on Missy. I agree, though, that when we lose a pet, we should celebrate their having been in our lives. Your “sweet pea” sounds like such a wonderful dog. She lived a full life, too.
We lost our dear dog a year and a half ago, and I still smile thinking about his morning bedside greetings or how he’d have dreams and his legs would twitch and wiggle like he was chasing a bunny in his sleep. What joy our dogs bring into our lives.
More hugs winging your way.
Hi Lynne – I always smile when my dogs do that chasing the bunny thing too – especially my mastiff – shakes the whole house. Thanks for the hugs
Helen–
I am so sorry about your loss and understand wanting to celebrate the time you had with Missy.
I am a “late in life” pet lover, never having had dogs growing up. A few years ago when the idea of getting a dog first struck, I thought it was a crazy idea. But the more I thought about it, the more I decided I wanted a dog. I figured it would be a great way to encourage me to exercise and give me something to do beyond working and writing. I never expected, though, how much I would love my Shadow or that I would add two more dogs to my home.
Missy sounds like she was a great dog and an awesome friend!
Hi Stacy – three dogs – lucky you! And yes, Missy was an awesome dog. Thanks for stopping by.
Animal Hoarders! I love it. I don’t currently have a pet, but we had the gamut as the kids were growing up, including rabbits, rats (and 132 babies from said rats!), and even two tarantulas. Ugh. They didn’t stay long. My favorite was probably my dog Kitty, who was the family dog when I was a kid. My sympathies on losing your heroic Missy.
Susan
Hi Susan – I always wanted a rabbit growing up – but they were no legally allowed to be kept as pets in the state I lived in.I did have goats though – they were awesome. Thanks.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Helen. <>
Most of our pets have preferred my husband, but for about ten years we had a bichon named Comet, who loved me best.
The day after he died, I had to call in sick to work and I spent the day crying. I had lost a dear and much loved family member. Thinking of him still has the power to bring a lump to my throat.
Yet, I can honestly say I wouldn’t have missed those years with him for anything.
Hi Cindy – that sounds like a much loved Bichon
Oh, Helen, I’m so sorry for your loss. Our pets are part of the family, aren’t they? I have a cat and a dog. I was always raised with cats and LOVE them. We seem to understand each other. I’d never had much experience with dogs, until my daughter was in middle school. She read The Encyclopedia of the Dog and managed to convince us that our family would not be complete without a corgi. She was right. It’s silly how much I love this dog. We live on a lake in Florida and I constantly fear that an alligator will make a snack out of her. It sounds like your little huntress Missy was doing what she loved on her last day. I hope you can take comfort in that and your fond memories of her. Hugs.
Hi Nancy – how lovely you have a pooch you adore. And yes, Missy did go down swinging . . . exactly as she would have wanted
Helen, oh Missy sounds lovely and formidable indeed. I’m glad she won that last battle, even though it took her down. Sweet Pea, indeed. Hugs to you and so sorry you’re without her now.
We had dogs when I was little–just two, Skippy and Cheena. A cocker spaniel, Skippy lived to a ripe old age. He was so old that when he barked, he fell over. Bless you, Skippy. And Cheena was Pekinese and terrier, I think. A sweet little mutt terrified of fireworks.
We also had a parakeet named Pixie who flew away in the Sierras in the spring and then was returned to us in the fall when she flew down and landed on a fisherman’s head. We had a cat named Sputnik. And one called Fluffy who was lean and sleek and a black shorthair. We thought Fluffy was such a funny name for him.
There were more. And I’ve had several cats as an adult. My two now, Tom and Ed, have been with me for fifteen years.
Hi Christine – yes, Missy was formidable
I love the names you’ve had for all your pets … they sound like such great editions to you family.
so sorry for your lose…i know how hard it is to lose pets you’ve had for years and years my first cat i had was for 17 years…and then another cat i had her for 17 years as well…..
as of right now i only have 2 cats a mom and son…and the mama cat i was calling her in the house and she was limping a little. and when i got a look at her she had a puncture on her leg so i put peroxide on it and she hid in the house for the next 12 hours or so…esterday she went out and i still havent seen her ( which is normal) but back in my mind i keep thinking she’s went to “find her hiding place” even though the sore wasnt that bad….hopefully she’ll come home later today
Hi Amy – 17 years is such a long time. I do hope your cat comes home soon
thanks…she did and her leg is better
last week on 20/20 there was a segment of where people put webcams on their pets…i would so do this because i think she may be cheating on me lol i think she has another family lol…
Helen, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Missy sounds like a feisty little pup, and I am sure her memory will keep you smiling for many, many years to come. I am an enormous dog lover, and I know how precious that bond is. I’ve learned to take each day with my furry boys as a gift, and I can see that Missy brought you the same joy. My thoughts are with you and your family.
~Olivia
I am so saddened to hear about your loss. My Ollie is brave like that too. Willing to take on whatever opponent might be posing a threat, real or not, that day. He once got stung by 4 or 5 hornets because he was unwilling to run away after the first one got him. Luckily, he’s not allergic.
George Carlin once said dogs are “little tragedies waiting to happen.” You get them knowing there’s a very good chance you will outlast them. But, we do it anyway, and it’s worth it. Every heartbreaking moment. Big hug to you.
Hi Laura – what a fabulous quote – thank you. And I love the sound of Ollie
thanks for stopping by.
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