We Hyders are a dog family.
Baby Dog adopted us in 2013.
We’re still not 100% sure how old she is. We don’t know much about her life before she made our home her castle. And, truth be told, somedays we’re not sure why she chose us; she barely seems to tolerate us, most of the time. Still, we love her. She’s ours, and we are (for damn sure) hers. She makes sure we know our place on the regular.
Then there’s Amaziah.
During one of the darkest times of my husband’s life, Chris found a puppy online at a nearby animal shelter. As often happens with puppies, it was love at first sight. He went to the animal shelter to start the adoption.
But the puppy was gone. It was another kick to the balls during an already horrible year.
Devastated, Chris asked to see the rest of the litter. One puppy, the scrawny runt, kept getting shoved to the back of the crate. It was small and malnourished, obviously losing meals to feisty and demanding brothers and sisters.
Sometimes solidarity shows up in the strangest of places.
“That one,” Chris said, without hesitation.
And, in a way, they saved each other.
His name was Amaziah. The shelter lady asked Chris if he wanted to change it. Chris said no. It was a cool name. Unique. He looked it up later and found the meaning.
Amaziah: strengthened by God
That day, the two became a family, and my husband’s broken heart started to heal. Amaziah met Chris’s three two-legged kids a short time later. Then, a year after that, they all adopted me and my two babies. It’s hard to believe that was almost a decade ago.
Over Christmas, we learned Amaziah won’t be with us much longer. His kidneys are caput.
We had a family sleepover last night, with all mattresses Tetris-arranged on our bedroom floor. Both dogs happily snuggled in the middle of it all. Today, he’s enjoying all the scolding-free pork chops he wants. The vet will be here at 2 o’clock.
So excuse me for this, but seriously—fuck the past 12 months.
But I digress.
We are one of the luckiest families on Earth. Because even if just for a little while we’ve had our own piece of heaven. A tangible, daily example of what true, unconditional love really is. Amaziah has never asked much, just that we show up, even with all our mess, bad attitudes, and drama. No matter the chaos of the world, his tail still wags just because we’re his. Simple as that.
In one of my last books, the new Archangel of Death visits Heaven for the first time. Upon meeting a loveable pup, he asked, “So it’s true? All dogs really go to Heaven?”
“No,” his angel guide replied with a smile.
“No?”
“No. Pets return to heaven. They are only on loan to humans, so Earth might know what true joy awaits them here.”
He will run free with Skittles! The loss of a family member is never easy! We talk about our pup in heaven often. The little boy I homeschool just lost his pup as well. Its been a rough few weeks. My heart is with your family.
And I am crying! For your loss, remembering mine. They truly are a gift from heaven and I still miss my Violet! I won’t tell you that the sadness goes away because it doesn’t, but I am thankful every day for the 16 years I was given with her. You were blessed and you obviously know it. Take joy from that.
I am so sorry you are going through this. We lost our sweet Madison, just last month from kidney disease. We brought her home at 7 weeks old and she was our baby girl for over 16 years. It is the worst feeling, losing your fur baby. We too had the vet come to our home and she passed peacefully in my arms. I’m praying for your family’s strength and peace today. I hope you find comfort in knowing that he will be waiting for you one day, when it is your time to return home as well.
I am so sorry Elicia for your family’s loss. I too am a dog person first, but love all animals. My Sunny left me years ago and I cried for days. Still get sad when I remember some of the things she would do. But I had her for 14 1/2 yrs. Too short a time, but I loved her whole heartedly. I am sending hugs your way.
OMG!!!! I CRIED AT YOUR VERY EMOTIONAL HEARTWRENCHING STORY WE LOST OUR TOBY HE WAS AN EGYPTIAN MAHA BLACK CAT. I SWEAR HE WAS HUMAN ALWAYS KNEW WHEN YOU NEEDED A SNUGGLE THERE SO SESITIVE TO YOUR FEELINGS. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY. IT’S NICE TO KNOW WELL SEE THEM SOMEDAY. I LOVED HOW WHAT YOU SAID THAT THE ANGEL SAYS THAT THEY RETURN HEAVEN BECAUSE THEIR ON LOAN FROM GOD SO PEOPLE KNIW THE JOY THAT’S AWAITS THEM THERE. BIG HUGS YOUR IN MY PRAYERS MY CONDOLENCES FOR YOUR LOSS. DIANE
OMG!!!! I CRIED AT YOUR VERY EMOTIONAL HEARTWRENCHING STORY WE LOST OUR TOBY HE WAS AN EGYPTIAN MAHA BLACK CAT. I SWEAR HE WAS HUMAN ALWAYS KNEW WHEN YOU NEEDED A SNUGGLE THERE SO SESITIVE TO YOUR FEELINGS. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY. IT’S NICE TO KNOW WE’LL SEE THEM SOMEDAY. I LOVED HOW WHAT YOU SAID THAT THE ANGEL SAYS THAT THEY RETURN HEAVEN BECAUSE THEIR ON LOAN FROM GOD SO PEOPLE KNOW THE JOY THAT AWAITS THEM THERE. BIG HUGS YOUR IN MY PRAYERS MY CONDOLENCES FOR YOUR LOSS. DIANE
And now I’m bawling and snotting and ugly crying. Goodbye, sweet Amaziah! You are a kind and generous soul, and I know when you arrive at those pearly gates, God will say, “Good job and well done, my faithful servant. You have loved and been loved, and you have fulfilled your Earth purpose.”
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you and your family a great big virtual HUG.
My heart is filled with sadness for you all. I mostly have cats who are so damn independent. But the last 2 lab pups I had were the sweetest. They love us unconditionally and we love them back just as much. Time will heal your hearts. But know from what you wrote, that this beautiful pup felt your love.
My heart weeps with yours, our fur babies know our souls like no others. I’m so very sorry
That is so beautiful. Sending much love across the seas.
My beautiful GraySea that I was blessed to be with for 9 years returned to Angel status on January 12. Thank you for sharing this.