The Odd Little things

This is a picture of a memorial photo montage done of Gabbi by my friend Jackie Niblett along with the box Gabbi's ashes came in.  I'm showing this to tell an interesting story, but first another picture.

This is my mother's dog, UD.  As you can see she knew Gabbi (in the background).  In fact UD had known Gabbi since she was 8 weeks old and grew up playing with Gabbi (Gabbi was 5 years older than UD) whenever I'd visit my mother.  Now for the story.

I went to my mother's home after I picked up Gabbi's ashes, I brought along the photo montage in it's black matte so I could look for a frame at my mother's home.  She's an artist and has frames hanging around her house so whenever I need one I first shop at her house, the price is right - free.  After I got the photo in the frame the way I wanted it, I placed it in the chair as you see in the picture except the box with Gabbi's ashes was by a Christmas tree in a bay window near by.  After I placed the picture in the chair I went into the dining room to continue talking with my mother.  Where I sat I could see the picture in the chair.  While my mom and I were deep in conversation I saw UD slowly approach the chair, staring at the picture.  Then she sat down right in front of the chair while continuing to stare at the picture.  She stayed there for a long time before I got up and asked her "Is that Gabbi?"  She stood up and wagged her tail.  I placed the picture on the floor so UD could sniff it and then I decided to get the box down, open it and let her sniff the black plastic bag the ashes were in.  UD seemed to know that Gabbi had died.  The next 36 hours she was a more sedate and somber dog as though she were mourning and honoring her friend.  

OK, now more about my reaction to picking up Gabbi's ashes.  I was amazed at how much comfort I got from them right as soon as I held them.  It was like I got her back, not alive but in some physical form.  My humor returned full bore as well.  For instance, I took the picture and the box of Gabbi's ashes down the block to show them to a friend of mine.  When I came home I told my husband that I took Gabbi for a walk.

I know that some of these comments are morbid and will stop as time goes on but I'm so glad to see that some normalcy is returning to my life.  Am I letting go?  No way, I look forward to someday seeing Gabbi again, along with Roli, Buster, Socrates, Saskachewan, along with other pets I've known, I just have been blessed to find comfort in how I've decided to handle Gabbi's remains.  Our other 2 dogs are where they were the happiest and I know that Gabbi was always happiest with my husband and myself. So until I come across some other solution with Gabbi that fits her personality and my comfort level, she's staying with me. 

So for today I'm grateful for:

1.  Friends

2.  Gabbi in any form

3.  Family

4.  UD

5.  The existence of Heaven

Later.

Jan