Ruby Lee, We Hardly Knew You...

I only got to hold her twice and then only briefly. She licked my nose and whimpered.

A couple of Saturdays ago my daughter Megan accompanied her roommate to Orlando ostensibly to help her adopt a specific dog that her roommate had seen on the Internet. Megan agreed to ride along. If I claim to have little knowledge about most things I do know my daughter...and I knew that if she went anywhere close to where an adoptable puppy might catch her longing eye, she most assuredly would have her tender heart touched and some special little dog would soon have a new home.

So it came to pass. Into our daughter's open arms came an eight week old, tiny bundle of unconditional love she named Ruby Lee. The future looked bright with promise. But as fate would dictate, such would not be the case. Ruby Lee became ill. Then she became very ill to the point that veterinarian care was required. Her condition only worsened. Ruby Lee had contracted a highly contagious and life threatening virus. A series of antibiotics were administered with no apparent improvement noted. Ruby Lee's condition became grave. It came down to two choices; put little Ruby Lee to sleep or admit her to an Emergency Veterinarian Hospital that would do their best to treat her condition with no guarantees of eventual success. On the surface it would seem like an easy choice, but the underlying condition for Ruby Lee's admission was that Megan had to give up all future rights of ownership. Even if Ruby Lee returned to full health, Megan could not again adopt her puppy, nor would she ever know if Ruby Lee regained her health. Megan made the courageous decision to give Ruby Lee a chance at life. I honor Meg for making that most difficult decision. Still it was a devastating choice. Meg's heart was broken. It continues even now to be slowly on the mend. I hurt for Megan because she hurts so much.

There are few things in life that can command so much of our emotions. Our parents, our children, and, for many, our pets. They indeed become "members of the family." They lavish affection on us with no expectation of receiving equal sums in return. They are the essence of innocence and trust. They become faithful and steadfast companions. They become a vital part of all that is familiar...all that is reliable...all that can be counted on to be there when we open the door to our inner sanctums. In time when they can no longer be any of these things there is a void that cannot be described or measured, and the prevailing sadness at their loss pours into the depths of our souls. We each then know we have loved for the ache in our heart tells us so.

"Goodby" Ruby Lee. We hardly knew you, but you were profoundly loved in the short time that you loved us.