Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Recently I was looking through last year’s Ask Me Anything when I came across a question from my friend Steph (HI STEPH) that I had yet to address, ten and a half months after the fact. I did not mean to be so tardy in my response, but it turns out that the timing is perfect, as you shall see.
Steph asked: How did Rex come into your life? I remember you saying it was a surprise and I wondered what the story was. Saturday marked four years to the day since Rex came into our lives, but in order to tell that story, I need to first tell the story of Barkley, our beloved brown Labradoodle.
Barkley came to us in 2008 as a 13-week-old puppy, and the boys were 3 and 4 years old, so they all grew up together. The boys didn’t remember a time without Barkley; he was our childhood dog. He was a stuffed Gund toy come to life, fluffy and sweet and, like all Labrador-blends, a bit of a piggy. We all loved him excessively, but as an at-home parent, I spent the most time with him. We walked daily, he curled up by my feet as I wrote or sat with expectant and hopeful eyes while I cooked. He would never allow the boys to be in the back yard on their own, he had to be guarding and watching them at all times.
Throughout Barkley’s life, I vowed I would never have another dog; I loved him so deeply that I could not fathom my heart allowing another dog in. In January 2021, he was diagnosed with cancer in his mouth; I was given the option of giving him chemo, radiation, or removing his jaw. I said How about we just let him live out the rest of his life in peace? I did not think he’d last until the spring, however, he lived another year and a half. I think it’s because we completely stopped disciplining or scolding him in any way, and just fed him a constant stream of treats, since we just wanted him to be happy for whatever time he had left. Now THIS is worth living for, we assume that he thought, as he had his twentieth treat of the day. When he was, to my surprise, still there in the summer of 2021, I never told him to get out of the garden as he trampled through the hostas. They never did recover from that trauma.
I was so happy to have that extra year and a half with him, but as anyone who has had an old, declining pet knows, that year and a half was very difficult. The vet had told me it would be time for Serious Thoughts when Barkley stopped eating, wanting to go for walks, and being happy to get eyedrops, the latter of which was a strange but exciting part of his day. Indeed, until the day he died, he enjoyed all three of those things; in fact, the morning that he died he gobbled down his breakfast the way he had every day of his life. And so I continued with our everyday life, walking him on our slow-boat-to-nowhere route every single day, and every single day we would come home from our walk, with me on the verge of tears.
Barkley was very obviously not well, as anyone sighted could tell you. He had a very large lipoma on his side which did not hurt him or alter his mobility, but it was dramatically noticeable, and something I learned over those eighteen months is that people can be really, really thoughtless and cruel. Every single day we would walk and every single day someone would comment on his appearance. What’s wrong with your dog?, they’d ask, or, inanely, Did you know your dog has a lump on his side? One atrocious man passed us as we slowly ambled up the sidewalk and said sharply WHEN are you going to put that dog down already?
All of which is to say that when he died, on June 30, 2022, I renewed my vow that I would never have another dog. In addition to my feeling that I could never love another dog, I was sure that I could never go through the trauma of the decline again. I spent the summer radiating waves of sadness, walking around with a fuzzy, Barkley-shaped hole in my life and in my heart.
Meanwhile, as I was spending the summer staring at my ruined, dogless hosta garden and avoiding the dog park, my husband was in conversation with one of his colleagues who, for several reasons, was sadly coming to terms with the fact that she was going to need to rehome her Bernedoodle. I did not know about these conversations, which started in July. Barkley died, as I said, June 30. My husband would occasionally mention his colleague’s terrible predicament, and I would shrug and say That’s too bad. He would show me photos of this Bernedoodle, and I barely looked at them. In fact, I said I don’t think he’s cute at all, and asked him to stop showing me photos. As I sadly watched the grass in the back yard become lush and green again, he was secretly telling his colleague to please talk to HIM before anyone else, should she need to rehome the dog.
Eventually, in late September, the colleague had a trip to the emergency room, and her two little boys – who were responsible for the name T-Rex Stegosaurus – said We just want Mommy to be okay and for a family to love Rexie.
Well, I’m not made of stone.
I did have some reservations about bringing a hundred-pound dog into our little bungalow, but we knew his temperament was gentle and sweet, and – this is key – he was well-trained, well-cared-for, and was a year-and-a-half, so past the puppy stage but still young enough to adapt easily to new circumstances. And, as my older son said, We are a dog family, Mom. We need a dog in our lives.
I was not prepared for what happened. I was not prepared for Rex to immediately bond to me and I to him. I was not prepared to have a giant dog so gently and happily devoted to me from day one. I was prepared to take care of him, but I was not prepared to love him instantly and completely.
He came to us on Thanksgiving Monday, 2022, which was appropriate, because I am so thankful and grateful for such a gift, a gift of joy and happiness. I didn’t know how much I needed him.
To quote Jerry Orbach in Dirty Dancing, “When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong.”
Weekly Reading
It was a HUGE reading week for me, thanks to some short books and quick, unputdownable reads.
Dolly All The Time. I’m only a little bit late to this party! This was a delight to read. Essentially, it’s Pretty Woman without the sex work, and in a good way. There’s fake dating that – surprise – elicits real feelings and life changes, and it all wraps up in a very satisfying way. More than that, there is a theme of putting yourself FIRST, of taking care of the caretaker, and of speaking up for what you need and want. These are lessons that I think most of us could take to heart. Truly a sweet, funny, and lovely book.
The Reservation. I absolutely LOVE books like this: heavy character development, tiny minutiae of everyday life, an ordinary day that is somehow extraordinary. This book takes place in a restaurant and spans about nine hours; each chapter is a delve into each person who works there. It revolves around mysteriously missing ribeye steaks, and the soon-to-be appearance of John Grisham for dinner. I found this exquisite, with one small quibble: the chapter in which the big reveal happens was very explain-y and the dialogue was quite stilted and did not ring true. I wondered if that chapter was added later in the editing process, and I wished that the reader could have been trusted to be able to come to the conclusions in a much more nuanced way. Otherwise, this was great and I enjoyed it so much.
The Vegetarian. This was a literal fever dream of a book, a story of a woman attempting to escape from oppression and gain autonomy over her body and her life, told – interestingly and importantly – not from her own point of view, but from those around her. It’s a harrowing story and it gave me Yellow Wallpaper vibes. It was very well done and well translated, and very upsetting.
Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This uniquely laid-out book is so beautiful and life-affirming. I spent a great deal of time gasping and then clutching the book to my chest, tears in my eyes. There is a quote it it attributed to Einstein: There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. I FEEL SEEN. By Einstein, no less! Anyway, the entire book is just wonderful, made even more moving by the fact – told to me by my friend Elisabeth who recommended it (HI ELISABETH) – that Amy Krouse Rosenthal was dying when she wrote this. My heart. What a loss to the world.
Some Bright Nowhere. I have no idea what to say about this book. I guess….it’s an accurate portrayal of a woman dying of breast cancer, and it is breast cancer awareness month so…that’s good? I suppose the point of this book is Whose Death Is This Anyway? A woman stops her treatment and begins the palliative care journey, and she decides that she doesn’t want her husband of forty years, who has been caring for her through her illness for nine years, to be her caregiver anymore as she dies. Instead, she supplants him with her two best friends. And I will say that this was kind of awful to read. You all know I am no male apologist but wow, I felt so deeply for this husband, and I found the antics of the three women to be just cringey and awful. I go back and forth in my mind – a dying woman should be able to make her own choices, but the people left behind have to live with those choices forever. It’s a very descriptive story of the end of life, and so please be aware of that if you decide to read this book.
Some of you got an unintended preview of this post, due to my under-caffeinated self pressing “publish” as opposed to “save” when I was editing at 4:50 am on Friday. Whoops! If you too would enjoy getting the occasional accidental preview, or just my regular posts delivered to your email, why not subscribe? If you are viewing this on your mobile device, you will have to scroll waayyyyy down to just before the monthly archive menu, but if you are on a laptop or desktop, the subscribe button is in the top right of the homepage. You’ll never miss a post! I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving weekend, and I am thankful for all of you for being here. xo
I’m not a pet person, but I loved the Rex thanksgiving story. I’m very glad he came into your life. I have not read The Vegetarian, but I have read two other books by Han Kang (Human Acts and We Do Not Part) and both were amazingly written, but also a bit harrowing.
She’s a beautiful writer! Maybe I will try those books, but later – I think I need to recover from The Vegetarian! Harrowing indeed!
I started reading your blog right around the time you lost Barkley, and I remember when you got Rex. So I missed most of the heartbreak but got all of the Rex Joy!!! I know how hard it is to lose a pet- we lost our cat Charlotte last year- except if I’m being really, really honest, I think it’s even harder to lose a pet like Barkley. I mean he was such an integral part of your lives. BUT. You were able to make room for Rex, who really needed you (i’m kind of afraid to ask about the family who gave him up- is the mom okay now?) Anyway, it’s a joy just to see Rex photos on your blog- I can’t even imagine the happiness of having him right there every day. And his “gotcha” day is Thanksgiving, which is perfect
I’m glad we aren’t reading The Vegetarian for Engie’s book club- I think that was one of the choices and I don’t think I would like it. But, after your and Elisabeth’s review of Textbook, I want to read it! I just looked and they have it at my library. I’ll pick it up tomorrow.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Jenny, I’m glad you asked, YES the mom is okay! It is SO hard to lose a pet, and it is terrible to watch them decline. But I guess it’s the price we pay for such happiness in our lives.
I do not think you would enjoy The Vegetarian at all. I found some parts to be amusing but most to be absolutely horrifying and unsettling!
This is so genuine, so poignant and so full of love. Our favorite pet loves — we think there will never be another, we don’t want another, there’s not room in the heart and what a betrayal. I felt that when my Marmelade Gypsy died. And then Lizzie accidentally happened in and the rest is history. I love that Barkley was so special and made such an indelible imprint on your hearts. What a great dog for toddler boys and yes, I would have done the whole thing — live out the good life. But some creatures just dig their way into your hearts and they come “on time,” even though you have no idea what time that will be be. I loved every single photo, every single story. What a great way to start my day.
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Rex Day!
Oh Jeanie, you’re right about the pets coming “on time” – that’s exactly it! I’m glad you had room in your heart for sweet Lizzie!
Happy Rexiversary! Once a dog family, always a dog family. I never thought for one minute about getting another dog during Stepdog’s lifetime, and yet within a few hours of her death we started talking about it, and two months later Hubs saw a picture of Doggo on a shelter’s website and that was it.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting Rex, and my favorite thing about him is that he likes to hold hands.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be sampling The Reservation over on Libby.
He DOES love to hold hands! I’m glad you got to meet him. He’s such an affectionate sweetheart.
I didn’t realize you started talking about a dog so soon! I’m glad you got Doggo!
NICOLE. My daughter’s boyfriend has a Bernadoodle puppy and when I saw my first picture of said dog I was like: IT’S REX (it’s actually not, and her name is Marlow and she’s 8 months old, and my daughter is terrified of her because she has an insanely huge fear of dogs and Bernadoodle’s are… huge, but she is so sweet and gentle and I hope that Marlow can convert my daughter and then she and I can come out and visit you and she can love on Rex).
This was one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever written. My favourite line: Well, I’m not made of stone. Hahaha.
I am so glad Rex found his forever home and what a love story to Barkley AND to Rex.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Textbook. It was so good; I read it twice! I also read The Irish Goodbye micro-memoirs twice, and just finished another tiny book (this time a novel) called Address Unknown and IT IS MINDBLOWING. I want everyone I’ve ever met to read it. My husband doesn’t really enjoy reading and I insisted he read it and he finished it (it’s so short; like 60 little pages) and then just stared off into space for a while. I cannot stop thinking about it. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was also amazing, as we’ve recently discussed. I am in the “short but powerful book” era, apparently.
Thank you so much!
Oh, I hope Marlow converts Belle! Dogs are such a gift, honestly. And there is something so special about a huge but gentle dog!
I immediately put Address Unknown on hold!
What a sweet story! You probably remember I had a declining cat during the time you had a declining dog. Xander died a few months after Barkley. I knew I’d want cats again someday but I thought it would be a long time before I was ready. It turned out to be a little over a year and a half before we welcomed Walter and Willow home in the spring of 2024 and now I love them completely. It was our next-door cat Uno (who basically took over our yard as his property) who convinced me I was ready. For a while he and Walter shared the yard (Willow does not care to go outside) until Uno’s passing last spring. I will always be grateful for that cat.
I do remember sweet Xander, I guess I didn’t realize our timing was so similar. It’s so hard to say goodbye, but I’m glad you said hello to the kittens! I remember Uno! RIP Uno.
I so enjoyed this story. I have never had a dog due to a lifetime of allergies and asthma and for a number of years I had a life-threatening allergy to dogs. Fortunately that’s abated as all my kids got dogs when they moved out. There is one story I have that helps me relate to this a little. My son, when he lived in Calgary, rescued a seven year-old lab pit mix who had been chained up for his entire life. He spent years training this dog and was successful. I have to say when the dog was 10 or 11 years old I was afraid of him! He was massive and a little scary when he protected his home but as he aged, he became this sweet, gentle old man (who loved me!) Unbelievably Duke lived to 17. My poor son had such a hard time putting him down. It took weeks hence they would come to the Cottage weekend after weekend and I’d cry and sit with Duke and say goodbye to him and the next bloody weekend he’d bring the dog back up. Finally a year ago he had to say goodbye. I did hold that 33 year old boy sobbing after he said goodbye to his best friend.
Pat, that’s so wrenching. But wow, 17 years old is a really great long life! I admire people who can rescue dogs and put in the work. I do not think I have it in me to deal with a traumatized or reactive dog. Although, who knows, I have not had to deal with that, so maybe I could.
I love the story of your two dogs so much, and I’ve never even owned a dog. But I do know how pets can be part of the family. Rex looks like a great big cuddler and as if he’s always smiling.
Pearl, he is so cuddly and affectionate. If he wasn’t 102 pounds he would be a lapdog for sure!
I’m catching up on blog reading today…incoming….
What a beautiful story about Barkley and Rex. I can’t imagine how difficult those last months with Barkley must have been, especially with the insensitive comments from strangers. I love that you gave him the gift of enjoying his remaining time on his own terms. And then along came Rex! I think sometimes our hearts make room for something new before our minds are ready to accept it. What a lovely Thanksgiving story. Happy Rexiversary! 💜
AND, I am always down for a Dirty Dancing quote.
Kari, you are right! Our hearts can make room for things before our minds catch up. I just couldn’t imagine…and here we are!
Happy Rexiversary! I am so glad he came into your life. I hope the mom in the family that gave him up is doing ok, though, especially since she has young boys! Ay yi yi! I can’t believe the comments you endured about Barkley, though! Sheesh. People can be so incredibly mean!
I am glad you enjoyed “Dolly All the Time.” That’s one of my fave books of the year. I DNF’d The Reservation because I just did not care what happened to the steaks and I didn’t love the change in POV in each chapter. It might be a right book, wrong time for me situation, though, as my patience has been RAZOR THIN for large swaths of time this past year (currently in a RAZOR THIN mode since we STILL don’t know if the gd depositions are happening NEXT Wednesday! Gah!!). Deep breaths, deep breaths. I am reading “Take What You Can” right now which I am enjoying although enjoy sounds like the wrong word as it’s about a complicated female friendship. It’s not told in a linear manner and it starts with a woman moving close to her friend when she is 36 weeks pregnant, but we don’t know what prompted the move. All will be revealed in time, I’m sure, but I cannot wrap my mind around choosing to move, weeks away from giving birth… but I’m invested and engaged in the story.
I have Take What You Can on hold already! So I will be happy to chat with you about it when it comes in.
I remembered you DNF’d The Reservation – but I do love a multiple-POV book and this one just hit perfectly for me!
I read somewhere that owning a pet means having your heart broken because one always (usually) outlives them. You did have your heart broken by beautiful Barkley and Rex came along and put it back together.
I have not and currently do not own a pet but I have looked after my daughter’s cat (she comes next Sunday for a week!!) this last 10 years a couple of times a year, and recently checked in on my neighbours’ cats twice a day for a month. Animals bring a wonderful joy and warmth to our lives and that definitely makes me thankful.
I loved The Reservation (I agree with your quibble, now that you mention it!) and have The Vegetarian on hold. I read her novel Human Acts and was really moved by the story and her writing.
I agree with Elisabeth regarding the novel Address Unknown – packs an incredible punch for such a short novel!
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Nicole!
Jacquie, I have heard that and also that having a puppy is an eventual ticket to heartbreak. Well, the joy is worth it!
I put Address Unknown on my TBR and I will add Human Acts! She’s a beautiful writer.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
I so enjoyed reading the stories of Rex and Barkley (and Rex’s given name is AWESOME). Making tough end-of-life decisions about our pets is so heartbreaking. Your story (and mine, in the case of former beloved cats) reminds me of the Chinese practice of Kintsugi–repairing cracks by replacing them with resin mixed with gold or platinum powder, highlighting the breaks and making them beautiful while restoring the vessel itself.
Our loving hearts are capable of so much more than we usually give ourselves credit for. Healing and honouring loss can often make us that much more ready to try again. I’m so glad you welcomed Rex and helped other hearts to heal as well.
Thanks so much, Nance. In the case of Barkley, he had a stroke right as I was having my morning coffee, and so it was pretty obvious that it was The Time. Then we took him into the vet and they did suggest that they could give him a medication that would give him…I can’t remember exactly, but something like another two weeks? And I was like “NO. We’re doing this now.” Imagine! After 18 months of wondering “Is this the day,” it was a clear and obvious answer.
It boggles my mind that some people might actually resort to expensive surgery or drastic options (jaw removal?!) to prolong the life of a pet, no matter how much he/she is loved. You guys did the right thing with Barkley, and I have no doubt he was much happier that last year and a half than he would have been otherwise. 🙂
Thanks Mark, I just couldn’t bear to think of Barkley suffering through treatments – for no good reason, IMO. The jaw removal thing was astonishing. He was part Lab, so eating was basically his favourite thing, and a jaw removal would have taken that away from him.
what a beautiful story Nicole. I totally understand when you say you were not ready or think it would be possible to love another dog. I felt the same with my girls and our cats. It is proof how big our heart could be for the right person/pet. Seeing a pet suffer is also a recent feeling I’d experienced. While it was heart breaking I was grateful to feel it. isn’t this true unconditional love for another being the beauty of this world? what makes us believe this world is beautiful despite horror stories that we hear?
You’re right, Coco, it is true unconditional love and it is SUCH a beautiful thing! xo
I love Rex’s origin story
Thanks Sarah!
I want you to be the first to read this: I think Hannah will be our one and only dog. She’s perfect and I love her and adore her and she is a huge part of my day. But we have almost grown broke dealing with her GI issues and her dodgy back. I HATE that dogs are luxury items, but we are not wealthy people and I literally spent more on Hannah in the year 2022 than I earned. (I will happily be proven wrong if someone drops a perfectly good dog on my doorstep, though. I’m NOT MADE OF STONE.)
Here’s me writing down all these book titles as if I don’t have a TBR as long as my arm!
Oh Engie, I know what you mean – dogs are so expensive, even the ones that DON’T have dodgy GI tracts. It’s awful but it’s true, the costs can be enormous. xo
What a heartwarming story about both Barkley and Rex. Just from their pictures, I can tell how lovable they truly were/are. I’d be devasted losing a companion like that, so I can see why you said No for so long with Rex.
I’m glad you enjoyed the top two books mentioned as much as I did. I just finished one I really enjoyed, ‘Sunlight Finds You’ by Laura Moriarity (not to be confused with Liane Moriarity!) It takes place from about 1949 to early 1960’s about a girl who was forced to give up her baby.
I’m noting down that title! I just heard an interview with Liane Moriarty about how her writing process is so different from her sister’s (her sister plans and outlines, Liane does not, which is surprising because her books are so full of twists!), and I realized I’d never read anything by Laura!
OMG, I didn’t realize they were sisters! I enjoy both authors so much.
I need to read Laura asap!!!
Barkley sounds like such an extra special dog. It would be difficult to think of loving another one – but then Rex is also extra special. I had a particular dog who I miss very much, and I still tear up when I think of him. OK, who am I kidding. I tear up when I think of any past dogs. Even the dog that was a complete idiot! And to be even more honest, I cried while reading this post the first time and the second time! Because I DO subscribe to your blog and I got the early preview in my email! I hope your Thanksgiving was lovely! I’m thankful for you!
Oh thank you, Michelle. Dogs are such a gift. They are just perfect companions and are joy personified!
I am also so thankful for you! xoxo
Oh Nicole! I loved this post so much. It did make me sob uncontrollably but well worth it. I mean, to have such a wonderful relationship with Barkley?! And then for your husband to know you so well???? And the comment from your son about being a dog family????? AND REX?! Omg. My heart. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to welcome these creatures into our homes and our hearts.
Thank you so much, Suzanne. We are so lucky! I can’t believe how lucky we are to have such fuzzy companions in life.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal is just the best – it’s truly the worst she was taken so early, every book and project of hers was so meaningful
I started to note down some of the meaningful quotes in the book and quickly realized I would have to note down the entire book! She was a gift to the world.
Aww, I loved reading this story! Sometimes the very thing we think we could never do again turns out to be exactly what we need. I’m so glad Rex found his way to you, and you to him! ❤️
I had a similar question like Jenny – about Rex’ original family. I wondered whether rehoming him was always meant to be permanent, or whether there was any hope that they might be able to have him back one day. Did they stay in touch with you?
Hi Catrina, the rehoming was to be permanent – I don’t think I could have done a temporary thing, and they couldn’t keep Rex. We are still in touch with them but they are no longer in the country. That was another surprise for them, I think, so it really worked out for the best. They are doing well!
Also, I kept thinking about this last night. People on social media pages for rescue organizations (as you might imagine, I follow a number of them) sometimes get really shirty about people rehoming their animals. And while I think it would take a HUGE life change for me to give up my girls, I can think of scenarios in which rehoming them would be best for them (think: long-term disability, homelessness, death, etc.). And there is nothing more selfless than doing the right thing for your pet when they need you to make a hard decision.
There’s a television show called For the Love of Dogs that’s set at Battersea Dogs and Cats in London, a rescue center. It’s mostly (MOSTLY) a heartwarming show and you know the dogs will be okay. But sometimes they show a scene of a person having to give up their pet and it’s utterly heartbreaking. I think about this old dude whose wife just died and he was diagnosed with some terrible disease and he couldn’t take care of his VERY BELOVED dog. You know what? I can’t really think about this anymore. His voice as he handed over the leash…it haunts me.
That family who gave up Rex? I hope they know that they did the right thing. I hope they know that Rex is loved and with a FABULOUS family. I hope that woman who was at the emergency room is doing better now and I hope she doesn’t spend her days feeling guilty about giving up her dog. I hope those little boys someday do get to bond and love a dog as great as Rex. I hope everyone is in a better place. That is all.
Engie, thank you. This made me cry, because it’s so true. It is an act of supreme selflessness and generosity to give your pet to someone who will be able to love and care for them. We can all think we would NEVER be in that situation, and hopefully we will not be, but we COULD. And as you say there are some situations in which the very best thing to do is to rehome a pet.
The woman who had to give up Rex was heartbroken. She felt a lot of shame and guilt, but I think with time those feelings have disappeared (I hope, anyway). We are in touch and she knows how much I love Rex, and I do my best to give him a good life. I often think that the day that was so happy for me was absolutely terrible for her. She gave me such a gift by trusting our family to give Rex a good home and lots of love, and I am grateful to her every day.
The Barkley story, rolling into Rex’s story, had me tearing up a bit. I remember Barkley, and I recall loathing how insensitive strangers were with their questions and statements. WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE?
I think if you’re used to having a dog in the house, it will always feel empty without. I’m devastated when I lose a dog. (I still dream of past dogs!) Someone said to me years ago, if we didn’t lose our current pet, we’d never allow room in our lives for the many who will need homes. It’s a cycle. Oh, it’s a circle! Wait, do I hear Elton John singing in the background?
I felt the same about Dolly All The Time- such an easy book to enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I know you remember my darling Barkley, Suz, and I am so happy you do.
A cycle! I didn’t think of it that way. The joy they bring to us is certainly worth the heartbreak but wow, the heartbreak is so hard.
The comments people gave you about Barkley makes me lose hope in humanity. I don’t know what else to say.
The story of Rex made me cry and I’m so glad you took him in! He is super cute. As you know my cat broke her leg recently and before we knew she was fixable (we were both catastrophizing quite a bit) I thought of how it would be if we lost her, I was heartbroken and could not for my life imagine having another cat because I’ve never been so attached to a cat before, probably because she’s the most social cat I’ve ever had and the only one who’s enjoyed sleeping on my lap. But I guess, I would also be able to love another cat.
I couldn’t believe what people said either. I really treasured the people who would talk to me and wouldn’t mention anything at all.
I totally understand your feelings for Elsa. I hope she’s doing okay.
I love this story of Rex, and Barkley, and completely empathize with it. Barkley was a similar age to our other schnauzer, Levi, and I called him my ‘soul dog.’ Some pets just know and feel us, and it’s so unbearable when they leave us. Rex looks like such a joy and I really have a love for ‘doodles’. I decided I needed a doodle when our other schnauzer, Oscar, seemed to bond more with my husband, although he’s a lovable pup too. Now J and I each kind of have our own dog! Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
I have such a love for doodles as well! I get so happy when I see them – especially one who reminds me of Barkley. Levi sounds like a wonderful dog!
Happy Rexaversary! That is a fun story and I am glad that it all worked out in the end. Sometimes you don’t know what you need until you have it! I can’t believe some of the comments that you got about Barkley! What is wrong with people and why can’t they keep their nasty comments to themselves? I don’t understand that; didn’t their parents teach them that if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all? Woof.
I know! Imagine if you were in a wheelchair, and people came up to you and said “what’s wrong with you?” It felt similar to me!
I love this! Both the story of Barkley AND how Rex came to be a part of your family. I felt the same way about my previous dog, Dutch, who died in 2018. He was my soul-dog and I couldn’t imagine loving another animal in the all-encompassing way I loved him. So I decided to get cats and HAHAHA to me because I love them just as obsessively as I loved Dutch. It’s different, of course, but I am so attached to them and can’t imagine my life without them.
Dolly All the Time is the next romance on my list to read!
Awwww Dutch! Those fuzzy babies just get into our hearts. I’m so glad you have the girls to fill the gap!
I loved this post when it popped up in my email, and I love it just as much with a second reading. Of course your heart was broken with the loss of Barkley. I can’t imagine having a dog lose their jaw. When Mulder was diagnosed with lymphoma, we struggled with what to do. Let’s just say that we were not all on the same page for what to do. But he was only 7, and had a really good chance of going into remission. Which technically he did, but it only lasted a few months after his chemo ended. Would I do it again with another dog? I don’t know. Lymphoma takes your pet SO FAST. Like, weeks. UGH.
I really want another dog, but the expense is a huge factor. We are not wealthy, and it’s a lot of money. But the joy! The joy!
Our sweet Genevieve was 4 when we got her. The woman who had to surrender her gave her a great gift, and us, but oh, she sobbed. Poor woman.
Oh how sad, I didn’t know his remission was so short. Dogs never live long enough but seven is really, really young to lose one. You’re right – dogs are expensive even if they don’t have health issues!
I love this so much. My throat hurts. Good, good Barkley, and good, good Rex.
I own a copy of Textbook and feel similarly about it.
Loved your Rex story, so sweet Nicole! And thank you for the book recommendations too, always so maaaany books I want to read noooow.
Happy autumn!
Rex is just the epitome of dogginess. I hope I get to meet him (and, ahem, *you*) someday. Thank you for sharing his story with us. <3