Rose died before we moved to this Bedlam Farm. We had her cremated, and when the ashes came back, they also came with some sentimental junk – soap, a glass, and a ceramic piece with her pawprint and name embedded in it.
I hate those death trinkets, especially for a dog like Rose, who was without much sentiment. I have no need for trinkets to remind of her, they seemed morbid and presumptuous to me, if they had asked me, I would have made it clear I didn’t want them.
Maria knew that I didn’t want them, and being a packrat, she saved them and planted the Rose paw outside of her studio and in her garden. She saves all the ashes of our lost dogs.
Frankly, we forget about the ceramic.
Every year, we raked the leaves and then there was snow and gardening, and dogs digging things up and playing, and the piece vanished. Today, while cleaning out the ground around the maple tree, she spotted this ceramic piece and picked it up.
Maria was shocked, she recognized it as the Rose ceramic, and brought it to me. Even though I didn’t want it at the time, I was glad to see a piece of Rose, for my money, the greatest dog I will ever have.
I put it on my desk where I can be reminded of her.
Godspeed Rose, I hope you are running after sheep all the way to the horizon. No Rainbow Bridge for you, you deserve so much better than that.
For the record I cried when I heard Rose had died. Your writing and reading about her got me through some very rough times. She is fondly remembered. I have saved something from my dogs all two of them.
I now have my forever dog, the one I was meant to have , my spirit dog, the one got right before my husband was diagnosed with cancer and died six months later overlapping my mothers suddenly declining health and passing two years later. Casey got me through all that, he was my companion, he came and howled when I cried. He is 13 now and almost lost him last year but nursed him and now he has helped me through the quarantine and all this other mess. Some dogs are just so special.
Casey is a border collie too.
Glad you found the memory.
WOW to say that Rose is the greatest dog you will ever is quite a tribute. Your book Rose in the Stormhas a lit more meaning to me after that remark. What a wonderful group of puppies might have come from Rose and Red. Two great dogs to be part of your life.
You’re going to get emails…..
Glad you have a piece of Rose. I loved reading about her.
My granddaughter and I loved reading about Rose. We talked as if we knew her and wished we had enjoyed the opportunity to meet her. We cried when she died; I think it was L’s introduction to loss. She was so lovely and loved. Her memory is indeed sweet.
Thanks Teresa, she was a remarkable dog..saved my life a bunch of times…