Time passes too fast

I came across a thought provoking article this week by Karen London in The Bark Magazine where she talks about the brevity of the lives we share with our dogs. Her piece was inspired by a set of photographs circulating on the internet showing time span pictures of pets with their owners, some a few months apart –  for example puppies into adult dogs – and some over years where a child with a puppy is seen later as an adult with a veteran dog. The pictures are beautiful and very moving.

In the article, Karen London thoughtfully writes:

“As I looked through these photos, it struck me as beautiful that we are able to share a dog’s whole life. That’s quite rare in people’s relationships, which is why those friendships that began in early childhood and last forever are so cherished. In contrast, many dogs come into our lives as puppies or adolescents and remain with us until the end of their lives. Granted, that end comes too soon as I am always saying, but there’s something special about sharing all the stages of their life with them from youth through middle age and into the golden years.”

It is so true, that sharing a life with our dogs from their puppy hood through into old age and their final passing is a remarkable experience. In my book, the chapter that seems to make readers rather emotional is, not about Susie-Belle curiously, it is the first chapter where Jasmine’s life and passing is shared. We lived with Jasmine for over 14 wonderful years and I still find when I think about her last few months, it provokes a depth of emotion in me that I do not feel about anything else. It is truly a treasured gift if we are lucky enough to share our lives with our special dogs – they reward us every day with such love and honesty of emotion that is entirely unique in my view. No other relationship is quite like it.