Beyond a Cute Dog Painting : Lily
" I have no adult memories that don't have her in it."
Lily
01/20/2005-01/27/2023
“Life with Lily began on March 12, 2005 when I spotted someone selling chihuahuas out of a laundry basket in a Target parking lot. In looking inside the basket, Lily was wriggling around, crying and obviously cold. I couldn't believe someone would just leave her in this basket with nothing but a bath towel, so I asked if I could pick her up, and when I did, she stopped crying and I knew I couldn't leave her behind, so I didn't.
6,530 days later, Lily's time here with me on Earth came to an end. Everyone always said "I don't know if Lily is the way she is because you raised her, or if you've managed to find a dog that acts just like you." I like to think I found her because we were one in the same and meant to be together.
She was a sassy little thing who had a flair for drama and a front row seat to everything that was going on in my life. Lily was a great big sister, tolerating the rescue dogs that came after her- Henry, Willow, Romeo, Veronica and Tito. She wasn't an overly loving dog, preferring to sit off to the side or just human adjacent, but she would follow me around and let me pick her up and carry her around or steal a smooch whenever I wanted. One of her very favorite things to do was taking her hot girl walk around the pool and enjoying the sunshine. It should be no surprise that is where I found her, sleeping forever in the sun exactly one week after she had turned 18. The only other dog she had really bonded with was Willow, who had passed 2 years prior and Lily missed her deeply. I have no doubt the sisters are now reunited at the Rainbow Bridge.
I got Lily as I was graduating college, so I have no adult memories that don't have her in it. It's so strange that I will have to live the rest of my life without her physically front and center, but I am so grateful for the almost 18 years we had together. It feels selfish to say that it wasn't enough time - Lily gave me everything she had and more. She will by far always be the best thing I ever picked up at Target.”
If you would like me to paint your dog and share your tribute, click here to submit
This week what I have been reading about dogs :
What I Learned Dogsitting for the New York City’s Opulent Elite
Ending Your Pet’s Life Was the Right Decision. So Why Do You Feel So Guilty?
Thank you for reading, supporting my work and sharing with someone who might be interested.