June 27, 2018
This rough looking dog toy, we call the monkey-beaver. It looks like a sock monkey, but has a beaver’s tail. Tilly played with it for hours. She would fetch it and bring it back every time that you threw it. I say would…because this morning when I went to let Tilly out of her crate, only her stiff little body remained. What the heck happened?
After chores, the last thing we do is close up the chicken house for the night. Tilly usually waits by the gate for me and then we go to her crate. Last night, I closed the chicken door, but Tilly didn’t wait by the gate. I went to her crate to look for her and she was inside laying down. I reached inside petted her and told her goodnight. I latched the crate door….for what would be the last time.
I dug her grave near the garden, not far from where my old Lucy dog is buried. Digging went slow because the tears blurred my vision. I went and got Tilly’s lifeless body and carried her to the grave. My dog Cinch, Tilly’s pal and gracious host, followed me to the grave site. I placed Tilly in the ground and started to cover her. I looked over at Cinch and broke down crying like a child.
Cinch waited and watched as I buried his little charge. I struggled to get the job done. Afterwards, I petted Cinch for a long time. He dropped the monkey-beaver and walked away. I guess, like me, he is wondering …. what happened?
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RicelandMeadows 
So sorry for your loss Ralph. It is never easy to lose them…
Comment by P June 27, 2018 @ 8:17 amThank you. Yes, they do grow on us quickly
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 1, 2018 @ 7:14 amSo sad when we loose one of our family members weather they are fur family or human family ,may your Tully Rest easy ! Deepest condolences!
Comment by Betty jo June 27, 2018 @ 8:37 amThank you!
Comment by ricelandmeadows June 27, 2018 @ 1:34 pmWell Sir, I’ve been there, and done that. I had a cat named Pepper once and I became very attached. She was always the first to greet me when I came home from work. Anytime I had a project around the homestead she would be near. She was with my family for several years before contracting feline leukemia. The veterinarian told me it would be best to end her suffering. Tears filled my eyes for a time, that I could not even see to dig her grave. I understand your grief.
Comment by Rich Busche June 27, 2018 @ 9:29 amYes, they get to us quickly and as sad as it is…I am grateful for the time we had and the fun we shared.
Comment by ricelandmeadows June 27, 2018 @ 1:34 pmI have no words but please know that I am praying for you and Cinch. She was just a baby……
Comment by NikiGA June 27, 2018 @ 10:49 amThank you for thinking of us.
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 1, 2018 @ 7:14 amI am so sorry about your loss Ralph. I’m in shock too. I can’t imagine. So very sad she never got to live her life. Was Cinch next to her? Did you have a vet lok at her? You are in my prayers.
Comment by Jacklyn June 28, 2018 @ 10:19 pmYes, we had been to the vet’s just 6 days before her death. She got a clean bill of health, no Lyme’s disease, no worms, good weight etc. She got a couple puppy shots and flea and tick medicine. This was very sudden. Found her early in the morning dead in her crate, no blood, no poop, and no vomit. Possibly a heart issue? I did not take her for autopsy. I just cried a bit, and buried her near my old pal Lucy.
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 1, 2018 @ 7:18 amSo sad indeed! Any idea what happened? She was such a cutie.
Comment by Aunt June June 29, 2018 @ 7:21 amNo idea what happened. She put herself to bed that night about five minutes early. She seemed a little shy or tired, but nothing really noticable
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 1, 2018 @ 7:21 amSorry for your loss, it’s always tough to lose a good dog/friend
Comment by Sid deGeneres July 10, 2018 @ 9:06 pmR.I.P. Tilly
Thank you. You are so very right!
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 11, 2018 @ 8:41 am