Charlie Goes to Heaven

Baby has long had a charming habit: When either of her parents cries audibly, she starts laughing right along. As today was the day that we put our elder dog down, there was plenty of crying – and plenty of laughing in the house. As for the veterinarian’s visit to our home, and the work he had to do, we did decide to allow baby to witness the event. She was actually breastfed during part of it. What she could understand of the difficult day, she did understand; what she couldn’t, she didn’t. Certainly her buoyant presence was a gift from God, and I hope that her first experience of the passing of a beloved member of the family (in a peaceful and dignified way) will be the beginning of a lifetime of being at peace with such things.

Saying Goodbye to a Family Member

Tomorrow the veterinarian comes to the house to put down our older dog, Charlie. Baby has been petting him more than ever, in part because he has been sleeping so much and in part because even when he is not sleeping he lacks the energy to get up and walk away, as he would until a few weeks back. Whether baby senses that she doesn't have much time left to pet the family beagle, or that he is weak and needs love and attention, I will never know. But it seems that she does. As of tonight, our plan is for her to be with us when the shot is given. Both my wife and I feel that death is made over-mysterious by our culture, that death is part of life and not necessarily a bad part. On the other hand, we don't want to scar our child in an effort to be evolved. So, we'll see what wisdom the new day brings.