Sparkling Ginger

Well friends, I was unexpectedly thrown off my game here for a couple of weeks as our family lost our beloved canine member, Ginger. She was such a sweetheart and a wonderful presence in our house (as those who knew her would know), and it's been quite a shock to the system to no longer have her around, providing endless unconditional love, support and friendship to us all on a daily basis. But they say "don't cry because its over, smile because it happened", and when I think about it I guess that's the right attitude to take, because it's only our inability to acknowledge death as a necessary part of life that makes these moments so hard to bear. Maybe if we really face the fact that nothing lasts forever, we'll enjoy things more while they're here and not feel quite so angry and bitter when they inevitably disappear.

Anyway, as a memorial to my favourite little friend for over 10 years, I did what I always do when things come to an end...wrote her a poem. Here's to you, Gingy. Living Green blog will resume next week.

Ginger
2002-2012

"SPARKLING GINGER"

It was a special day in April, in the year 2002

When the Farragher family first laid our eyes on you

It was true love at first sight, I think we’d all agree

The little smudge upon your face suited us perfectly

And so began the story of your life at 52

We took you home, and showed you around, and named you Ginger, too

And from that day on, you became the dog we knew

With so many things about you that made you so uniquely you

You were a cavalier with personality to spare

And a happy little face framed by flowing Ginger hair

You’d greet us every morning with an unabashed delight 

And cuddle up to watch TV beside us every night

You loved to walk on through the park and greet the passers-by

(Though you preferred the human breed to your fellow canines)

You’d set out with excitement and energetic glee

But by the final hill you’d always pant exhaustedly

You understood our language, and made sure we knew yours

You knew that “bed”, “cookie” and “walk” were all things you adored

And when you wanted dinner, or a late-night snack or two

You stomped and sniffed emphatically ‘til we gave into you

A lover of life’s yummiest culinary delights

You’d stare at us intently when we ate our snacks at night

Pizza, peanut butter, and McDonald’s French fries, too

You had a way of knowing when they were on our menu

On days of celebration, you could never quite hold back

(Self-restraint was a quality you sort of seemed to lack)

You’d dive into the presents, whether they were yours or not

And gleefully pull out the tissue paper, while we laughed ourselves in knots

Yes, you had a special innocence and sweetness about you

Everyone that walked through the door was a best friend to you

You’d greet them with enthusiastic curiousity

And make them feel like they were meant to join the family

But to our family of four, you were loyal through and through

Your touching dedication was so clear with every move

The first to greet us at the door, the last to say goodbye

So full of love and gentleness, with such a zest for life

And now we’ve watched you peacefully drift away to sleep

And for all the memories we’ve shared, our hearts longingly weep

But we thank you for those ten good years of joy, laughter and love

And know you’re resting peacefully on an angel’s lap above

xo Janine