ROSES FOR GYPSEY

ROSES FOR GYPSEY

 Today I vowed I wasn’t going to go out in the sun and I would take it easy because of a long day tomorrow.  But, as usual, I changed my plans. It started as I was sitting on the swing with Bert this morning.  Matilda started digging in my garden which I tried to stop her.  Then Bert came up with the idea, let her dig up the area we need for the tomatoes.  I got the shovel dug a simple hole and away she went.  I had the shovel in my hand so I might as well use it.  I had been wanting to move my roses to Gypsey’s grave ever since she passed away on Thanksgiving.  Gypsey was my malamute who was the best dog in the world. She was right up there with my other dog Misty I had when I was a teenager.   Sometimes you are especially lucky and get one pet in your life that is Heaven sent. I was lucky twice I had Misty who stayed by my mom’s side with both bouts of cancer and then  died shortly after mom died.  Gypsey  did the same for me but she also divided her time between my husband when he was sick at the same time.  It is like they know you need them.  You need a special comfort only an innocent animal can give. That is what Gypsey did for me.  Gypsey didn’t have a long life as most dogs do.  It was our fault. We spoiled her terribly and she became overweight too overweight. She also had joint problems and I walked her too far after her surgery and did permanent damage.  I’m always good at carrying around guilt but I also accept blame.  So although her life was short with us, six and a half years, it was good. We had rescued her from the pound when she was about two.   Trevor and I drove almost three hours to get to the pound where she was at. The minute we walked in and saw her in the cage she started howling. She pushed all the other dogs out of the way so that Trevor could get to her.  From then on she was by our side constantly. She was  especially there for me when we took the long walks in the woods on the mountain.  There are places I have walked to this Spring that brings tears to my eyes because I remember her sitting there patiently waiting for me to try and get a picture.  Every morning I see my husband walk over to her grave and look down. He then walks away quietly. I talk to her all the time when I walk over there. I suppose some people reading this would think we are crazy so let them.  When an innocent animal gives so much of themselves to a person it is only normal to carry that pet with them in their heart daily.  Back to Matilda, she started digging around the roses I wanted to transplant. Silly dog didn’t care about the thorns she just dug and dug and dug.   I took the hint and started digging with her.  In a short hour we had dug up all the roses on the hill, trimmed them and started on Gypsey’s grave.  I moved the big stones that Trevor had put on them last November and begin to dig into the earth.  At first I was worried but I remembered there was cement on top of Gypsey so I went ahead.  This time Matilda didn’t help she just sat there and watched. It was strange the way she just looked down and watched me scoop up each shovel of dirt. This dog loves to dig and for her to not touch this area was strange.  There are now about ten rose bushes all grouped together on Gypsey’s grave.  The rocks have been repositioned in a circle to protect the roses.   She now has the little garden I promised her when we buried her facing up to the mountain.  I hope you love the roses Gypsey as much as I loved you.  Rest easy my friend.