Mourning

Please, before you even start reading this, realize that this is not a frivolous post. Some may feel that way but I think that most people will relate and sympathize.

My dog, Penny, was hit by a car and killed three nights ago. She was an 8 year old sheltie/German shepherd cross. She was sweet tempered, smart, pretty, and her birthday was the same day as mine. I have three boys--she was my "girl".
I don't know what induced her to leave the back yard and run down the driveway as she rarely spent any more time than was necessary to do her "doodies" and get back inside to her family.
She was hit right at the end of our drive. At least it was quick and painless. Her neck was broken and she was gone by the time I got out to the road after hearing her bark. My oldest son (12) was still up and we cried together. We didn't tell the two younger boys until morning. The middle boy's first words to me that morning were "Where's Penny?" Then there were more tears all around.

We planned a funeral for after school but that meant spending a goodly amount of time digging a big enough hole in hard, clay-rich soil in the back yard. Between the boys and me, we managed to get it dug in a couple hours. Each boy had to pet her again and take a snip of her bright fur before "interment". The body was wrapped and covered with flowers, berries and fragrant spearmint leaves. Everyone sprinkled a handful of dirt and the five year old gave a brief eulogy. The burial commenced.

I will still cry once in a while for, as my brother put it, "It is hard to lose a close family member, especially such a loyal companion," but the burial was good closure.