Lucy passed away yesterday.
She died in the very spot she always slept, in our bedroom, surrounded by the love of her family, friends, and people around the world who never met her but wrote to her here at Holy Cow! wishing her the best after she began her battle with osteosarcoma, a deadly bone cancer, nearly two-and-a-half years ago. To all of you, Desi and I want to say thank you with all our hearts. We loved it that you loved our girl.
Lucy came to us as a one-year-old from the Washington Humane Society, our first rescue dog. She was a huge German Shepherd mix who looked like a wolf, with a past that was a mystery and a heart that was full of love. The first night she came home I fell asleep on the couch watching TV, and woke up to an unknown sensation: a huge doggie tongue planting slobbery kisses all over my face. Lucy was not a prolific kisser, as I found out eventually, and today I know exactly how special that kiss was, and how much love and trust it offered to a human she'd just met. No one had told her she had been adopted, but it was like she knew we would be together for life.
The next morning, when Desi took her for a walk, she slipped out of the collar to chase another dog and disappeared into the woods. An hour later, she found her way home by herself, even though she had just lived with us a few hours. She knew she was home and she wasn't going anywhere.
We named her Lucy after the wonderful Lucille Ball, because of her unusual red coat and her screwball behavior, especially right after we had adopted her. She loved stealing and chewing on dry flowers. I'd be sitting in the room and the vase would be right near the door and I'd see a head pop around the corner, mischief written all over the face. I'd pretend not to notice and she would grab a couple of dry stems and take off down the stairs to find a secret place to enjoy them.
When we brought Opie home, he was just a puppy and had to be crated for a lot of the time. Lucy would not let him sleep, so I had to keep them separated for a good part of the day. But she'd find ways to get to him, including crawling across the room, close to the floor, hoping I wouldn't notice. It was the cutest thing I'd ever seen.
We had many nicknames for her: Fan-Face, as Desi liked to call her, because of the way her two huge, pointed ears framed her long, pointed muzzle. Lucita Momo (whatever that means-- ask Desi), Lucinda, Lucille, and Angel-Face. Peanut, because she loved nothing more than peanuts in their shells. She would sit patiently while Desi shelled peanuts for her, and guzzle them in the blink of an eye. Strangely enough, she did not like pre-shelled peanuts. Go figure.
Today I can only think of how much I miss her. I miss the feeling of her soft ear in the palm of my hand. I miss the sweet smell of her fur when I'd kiss her behind her head, I miss how wonderful she felt when I hugged her, or how honored I felt when she shyly offered one of her rare kisses. I miss how she followed me around the house, hid in the closet during a thunderstorm, begged for a ride in the car at every possible opportunity, danced around my feet when I came home from work, and offered me her belly to rub.
If there is a heaven, Lucy must surely be in it today, along with all those other great animals who make our lives so much better than we can imagine. For me, Lucy was a life-changer. Loving her and learning how intelligent, gentle, and loving she was opened my eyes to the suffering other intelligent, gentle, and loving animals endure in our world. She was the reason I went vegan. She was the reason I started to write Holy Cow! and met you all.
I am a better person for knowing Lucy. For that, and so many more wonderful reasons she gave me over 10 years, she will always be my true love.
Sleep tight, my baby.
Zengirl @ Heart and Mind
Dear Vaishali,
RIP Lucy! No matter what I say, I can never take the pain or love you have for Lucy! Lucy's memories will be always with you. My condolences...
Preeti
Anonymous
My heart aches for the loss of your Lucy. I am lucky enough to know the love of a dog and know how deep their heart and soul goes for us and for us them. Here is one of my favorite quotes:
It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are. ~Unknown
Krista
Goodbye beautiful girl and thank you for that. It brought tears to my eyes knowing how much I love my boy Tempo.
Spice Island Vegan
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the same experience of losing my dog Angie in 2004 so I know how you feel. I know that Lucy and Angie are in heaven playing together. We are better because of them. I still miss Angie until this day. It is a very hard period you are facing right now. My heart is with you!
Anonymous
Good bye beautiful Lucy! Hope you are resting in peace in doggie heaven!
Go Vegans
I'm so sorry!! You really deserve all best but their lives are so shorter than ours. I have 6 rescued pets and to know what awaits kills me but I'll know they lived the best lives they could.
Receive my hug dear Animal Lover (because your are vegan). Your work helped me a lot and you are like a far away friend. Hope your heart heals, time will make it better. I'm sure she's in an amazing place now...
caren
hi vaishali,
still thinking of you. i check in regularly. i hope you and desi are slowly managing. please know some of us think of you often and are sad for your heartache.
sincerely,
caren
Elena
I stumbled upon your blog in search of recipes and found this post at the home page. Lucy was a beautiful and intelligent creature. You gave her a home and a loving family and she taught you so many things. You had a wonderful time together and I'm sure she would choose life with you once again if she had a choice.
anthony stemke
I currently have very limited internet access so have trouble keeping up. I was so saddened to hear about your Lucy and my wife is too. Our own Lucy has a lame back foot and has trouble climbing on the bed to be with us. I have heard of your devoted love for your Lucy and I know dog-lovers make good people. There is a heaven for these wonderful animals and we will see them again. My daughter Chali is a big-time animal rescuer and in fact our own Lucy was rescued over a dozen years ago.
I feel emphathy for you and your family here, God bless and may Lucy rest in peace.