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.
Anonymous
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Anonymous
I'm so sorry to hear about you loosing Lucy. She sounds as if she had a wonderful life and was very lucky to have met you. I hope that the pain you are feeling now, does not last long and you are soon able to love another animal in need of a new home x
Rithika
I am so very sorry for your loss. These angels find ways to touch us in so many ways, it is so hard to see them go. I hope you and Desi gain the strength to go through this from the ten wonderful years she gave you.
Xoxo
Gina Chase
So sorry for your loss. Losing an animal companion is so hard yet I believe that we will meet them again and in he mean time they are our guardian angels.
Blessing to you and your family
sarah
Hi Vaishali and Desi...really sorry for your loss. Can feel your pain.RIP Lucy. You were so lucky to be so much loved.
Rianne
Dear Vaishali and Desi,
It is so very hard to loose such a dear friend, almost a child, but with four legs. But I am so sure that Lucy is not only watching over the dogs. but over you and Desy too. In 2004 lost The-tje, she was very special and I could not eat for a week neither sleep. Than she came back twice, she did not look exactly the same but it was very clear that it was her, she did not stay long both times. Now I have 24 doggies living with me, because dogs are treated very badly in Bolivia. Several dogs were run down by cars or trucks, some were almost dying of long and intestine infections. Many underfed. Luckily there is a very knowledgeable vet here, who saved legs, hips, eyes. Operated tumors, once rescued a big dog with a huge tumor. It was enormous and weighed 9kg, that is one stone and something?
Over 50 doggies were rescued over the years and although all are lovely, adorable and cute, only 3 or 4 of them were as special as Lucy was and always will be for you and Desi. All the strength in the world to cope with the loss and the sadness.
Rianne
Rianne
Dear Vaishali and Desi,
It is so very hard to loose such a dear friend, almost a child, but with four legs. But I am so sure that Lucy is not only watching over the dogs. but over you and Desy too. In 2004 lost The-tje, she was very special and I could not eat for a week neither sleep. Than she came back twice, she did not look exactly the same but it was very clear that it was her, she did not stay long both times. Now I have 24 doggies living with me, because dogs are treated very badly in Bolivia. Several dogs were run down by cars or trucks, some were almost dying of long and intestine infections. Many underfed. Luckily there is a very knowledgeable vet here, who saved legs, hips, eyes. Operated tumors, once rescued a big dog with a huge tumor. It was enormous and weighed 9kg, that is one stone and something?
Over 50 doggies were rescued over the years and although all are lovely, adorable and cute, only 3 or 4 of them were as special as Lucy was and always will be for you and Desi. All the strength in the world to cope with the loss and the sadness.
Rianne
Sarah
I'm just seeing this now - I'm so sorry for your loss! My baby (Pug) died unexpectedly on August 9th and I am so heart broken. GOod luck to you in your healing <3
2Goldie
I feared this would be reason for your absence. I'm so sorry to hear about Lucy. You and Desi were great parents and truly loved her. RIP Lucy.
Heather
Thank you for sharing Lucy's photos and story with all of us. Losing your best friend is the hardest thing in the world; however, I know Lucy chose you, and you chose her, too. Thank you for giving her a beautiful life.
Vegan Magic
Vaishali and Desi, I am so sorry for your loss. Having lost 2 of my wonderful companions I can understand what you're going through. Lucy was a fighter and the love she brought into your lives, the memories will help you get through this. Thank you for sharing her story and pictures, her memory will live on through your wonderful post. She couldn't have found better carers and more loving companions. I pray for your hearts to heal soon.
Pauline AV
I am so sorry to read about Lucy - it is unbearable to lose a beloved pet. I hope the many blessings she brought to your lives will soon give you some comfort. xxx
Daisy
Dear Dear Vaishali and Desi,
i'm really sorry to hear about Lucy, your words brought me into tears as you write so well, in a such beautiful way what you're feeling, it's like your feelings are pouring out of your words. And we can feel them, we are embraced by them. My heart is with yours, please receive my tight hug filled up with love and courage to continue to move forward!
After all the love and caring you guys had for her, I know, you know, all of us know that she's in peace, wherever her spirit is.
Susana.
Susan
Love and loss, life's little ironies. I'm so sorry, Vaishali, so very sorry to hear of Lucy's passing. Pretty broken up about this. As islandcat wrote, many of us do empathize and feel the pain as keenly as if Lucy was our own. Thank goodness there are others who "get it."