, 06.19.2019 02:43 PM

Our Daisy

Daisy.

Daisy is my company, but – for almost as long – Daisy was a dog, too.

I got her in 2007, at a place out of town. She rode in a cardboard box beside me, on the front seat, and she was perfect. A perfect chocolate lab. Her disposition was a ten, the breeder told me.

I don’t know how they measure those things, but it turned out that Daisy was indeed a ten. We were all so sad from the loss of our long-time border collie, Sheena. But Daisy made us feel better. She gave us joy, basically. That was her job.

And she proceeded to do so for the next almost-13-years, too. Through health challenges, through pain, through a marriage breakup. Through all of that and more.

She loved jumping in our lake, chasing whatever we’d throw in there: she’d leap as far as she could, retrieve the stick, and then swim back. She’d do that a 100 times, if you let her.

She loved being up there in the woods, too. As we would round the bend, heading towards the dock, she’d make these little sounds, and we knew what they were: Daisy expressing her own joy.

She loved her family, her four kids, and – most of all – her mother, Suzanne. She loved walks. She loved her expensive dog food. She loved us.

And, we loved her.

You wonder if you should mourn a dog so deeply, but you do. We do. I do. They make their way into your hearts, into your lives, into every family memory. And, even though they aren’t here as long as their humans are, they are indisputably part of the family.

Our family, the Kinsella-Amos family, are down a member, tonight. We will miss her and love her – and we will forever see her in our memory, leaping into Lake Weslemkoon to get that stick.

Bye, Daisy. You were the best dog. We love you.

Now, go get that stick.



27 Comments

  1. Fred J Pertanson says:

    Pets are family.

    My condolences.

    • Stephanie Clarke says:

      I am so so sorry. So sorry. If humans had half the love and integrity dogs have, the world would be a much better place.

  2. the real Sean says:

    Sorry for your loss, Warren. You wrote “You wonder if you should mourn a dog so deeply, but you do.” No weakness in that at all. Losing a dog is brutal. I remember being in a funk for a good while. Be grateful for the good times.

  3. hugh says:

    Ah jeez, I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
    Words cannot express the true feelings when you lose a family member (and that’s what they are) like that, but I offer my condolences to you and your family.
    Makes me reminisce of our last pup, she was fifteen and a bit, and her younger “brother” who was around twelve (unsure because he was a rescue).
    Better go now, seem to have gotten some dust in my eyes or something.

  4. Dave says:

    Bless you and Lisa for loving and respecting Daisy so much. I’m sure she was spoiled and filled your hearts. My 100 lb shepherd- Husky mix saved my soul 7 years ago and is diminishing these days… he’s always leashed as he is prey crazy. So I have a 25’ retractable, he used to always be 25’ ahead of me seeking the world… now he’s often 25’behind me taking his time. Your words of love for Daisy made me feel sad yet happy for what you shared. Thanks.

  5. Jean says:

    Your tribute to Daisy is eloquent and sincere! I agree with all that you said, as we are grieving the loss of a dear family pet this week too . Our dog was 11 years old. Thank you.

  6. Jeff Rogerson says:

    It just sucks….so sorry.

  7. Campbell says:

    Sincerely condolences on your and your family’s loss Warren.

  8. Steve says:

    My sincere condolences on the heartbreak you and your family must be feeling. I’ve known no greater grief, no loss as deep, as the loss of a four-legged friend. When we lost one of ours last year our other dog was out of sorts, missing his friend, his partner-in-crime. So now he has a little sister, rescued from Rankin Inlet. She’s energetic, annoying, at times frenzied and a complete pain in the butt to her older brother. And we can’t imagine our lives any other way.

    You’ll never replace Daisy, but I hope you’ll find another four-legged friend to share your lives and love unconditionally… you family sounds like it has lots to give.

  9. Mark D says:

    Sorry for Daisy’s loss.

  10. Craig Cantin says:

    So sorry for your loss. I know how important our dog is for my wife, so I can imagine your current grief.

  11. John Harris says:

    Hi Warren…sad to hear your Daisy has moved out and moved on. You’re right (again) that her job was giving you joy. Actually, that was her chosen vocation. Dogs, like us, give what they get. And knowing you can love someone that much is a step on the path to wisdom. Glad you and the family made Daisy one of the gang. One of these days, you’ll do it again. Keep up the good work.

  12. Sorry for your loss. Hope you all meet again.

    And since this is a political website: what Truman didn’t say applies, [y]ou want a friend in life, get a dog!

  13. James R says:

    They leave a dog shaped hole in our hearts when they go. I’m glad you had a “10” and appreciated her.

  14. Steve T says:

    Well, this should have a NSFW warning, because I was holding back tears at my desk as I read it.

    Like you, we had a beloved dog (“Emma”) that was with us for over 15 years. Dogs become so intertwined with your life, and there is a massive hole when they are gone. This was a few years ago, and we’ve not had another dog since. Partly due to lifestyle changes, but also because we still would end up seeing any new dog as Emma 2.0.

    My one suggestion would be to gather up all the pictures and videos of your wonderful Daisy, while this is still top of mind, and consolidate them into one folder on your computer (and/or box, if they are hard copies). Make a scrapbook or photobook if you like. It is a great way to keep all the fond memories close by.

  15. Walter says:

    Very well written. I seemed to get some dust in my eye as I read the story.

  16. I’m so sorry for your loss 🙁

  17. Jay S says:

    Your tribute to Sheena was truly moving. I remember it well, after all these years. I was a new dog owner then. Now I’ve also loved and lost. My thoughts are with you, and with Daisy. May you meet again, at the rainbow bridge.

  18. Pipes says:

    ‘Twas in a pub just off the Strand
    When I was in my cups,
    There passed a bloke with in his hand
    Two tiny puling pups;
    And one was on me with a bound,
    Seeking to lick my face,
    And so I bought him for a pound
    And took him to my place.

    Three acres by the shore I own,
    A hut, a pint wood;
    And there for fifteen years alone
    He shared my solitude.
    It was his own, his only world,
    And when with hunting spent,
    Each night beside my bed he curled,
    And slept in sheer content.

    My dog is dead. Though lone I be
    I’ll never have another;
    For with his master-worship he
    Was closer than a brother.
    My foot is frail and I am old,
    Yet how my heart can pity
    Pups straining on a short leash-hold
    And pent up in the city.

    From all thought of self above,
    And purged of sex emotion,
    I know no form of living love
    So deep as dogs devotion.
    I have no hope at all of heaven,
    I’ve lived in sin and strife;
    But thank God! I at least have given
    One dog a happy life.

    Robert William Service

  19. Steve says:

    Well said. A sudden illness took my Jack Russell last year and I still haven’t recovered enough to think about another dog. You really are losing a family member. In fact the only family member that is always happy to see you, always up for a walk and always there when times are tough. I feel your pain and wish you and your family the best.

  20. Mark and Allyson says:

    Warren and Lisa – Allyson and I want to send you our condolences for your loss. My memory of Daisy was how welcoming she was at our meeting in your office boardroom she was a “True Gatekeeper” for Daisy’s Daisy.

  21. Nick says:

    As a former dog owner and perpetual dog lover I wish I had known then what I know now.

    Here’s what I know:

    Dogs are omnivores and actually not only thrive on a balanced plant based diet they also outlive, with fewer chronic diseases, dogs who eat animal based diets.

    Any way, hope your current doggy has a healthy and long life!

    Blessings

  22. Nick says:

    Btw, my last comment also applies to human beings.

  23. Raymond says:

    Oh no. So sad to lose a loyal friend & family member.
    I followed her since she was a pup.
    My condolences to all of you.

  24. John L. Wehrstein says:

    Joan and I are thinking of you and your family. The pain is real and enduring. We speak from experience, too. Look after yourself. Losing our canine companions can take a large toll both physically and mentally. That’s a beautiful picture of Daisy and great memories to treasure

  25. Scott says:

    Came across a quote once that went roughly like this:

    “Every dog owner thinks they have the best dog.
    And every one of them is right.”

    Been down this same path before; so very sorry.

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