Beloved Marleigh

This morning at 9:10, Seth and I handed our beloved Marleigh over to the One who created her. We said our final good-byes to her and her to us, and released her into the hands of pure Love. We had 12 of the most amazing, fun-filled, joyful years with her. Marleigh, though just a canine companion to anyone that didn't know her well, was one of the most trustworthy, faithful, forgiving, intelligent, protective best friends anyone could ever hope or pray for. Her unconditional love and understanding never ceased, even until the very end. She gave us everything she had and we tried to give everything back to her, though I believe she was the more giving one and we got the better end of the bargain.

She never asked for anything more than to let her be who God created her to be:
- Like all pets, she only wanted to be loved and cared for and on the occasional times when we let her water bowl run dry, she always forgave us instantly.

- She only asked to have her own place in our family and was happy to be a part of our "pack" and do whatever we were doing - she just wanted to be where we were.

- Unlike most kids, Marleigh loved putting her toys away and into her toy box at night. If she thought I'd fall for it, I'm sure she would've taken them out several times a day just to put them back again (I'm sure the treats helped with this one).

- To help me out with my exercise program, she readily volunteered to take me on walks every day and even helped me cross the street by taking her leash in her mouth and walking me across, then she'd drop it the moment we were on the other side. I loved the look on drivers' faces as they watched this.

- She was a beloved big sister to Abby, though it didn't start out that way. When we adopted Abby, Marleigh thought we were crazy and had somehow betrayed her. To show her great disapproval, she would retreat to the garage, but I'd go get her and make her spend "quality" time with all of us. Oh, she couldn't stand that new "small, brown thing with tall, skinny legs and a head too big for her body" that we'd brought home. If she could speak human she would've said "Take it back, we don't need it! Take it back!" But, after a few weeks Marleigh and Abby became close friends and sisters, and we enjoyed seeing them tumble and wrestle together 2-3 times a day. It got to the point that wherever Marleigh went, Abby went. Marleigh taught Abby almost everything she knew - how to get out the dog doors, how to retrieve a ball, and eventually Abby even got what "patch" meant, though it took all three of us to teach her. She even kept Abby in check on walks by letting us leash them together. Abby will also miss her very much.

- Marleigh longed to have as many jobs as we could think of for her. One of her favorite jobs was fetching the paper for us every morning. Rain, snow or shine, she trotted to the end of the drive-way, picked up the paper and placed it on the coffee table or ottoman (whichever we told her) - and for the small price of a treat, she would've been happy to get every neighbors paper for them, but somehow they didn't appreciate her slobber like we did. Every Halloween Marleigh helped answer the door and neighbors would recognize her (not us) and say "Oh, that's the dog that gets the paper for you every morning...where do I get one like that?" You don't, she was one-of-a-kind.

- She was patiently persistent. When she wanted to play and I was busy at my computer, she'd bring one toy and try to get me to play. I'd tell her "later Marleigh", but she'd just go get another toy thinking the first one must not have been good enough or the right one. Before I knew it I had every toy from the toy box at my feet. I could hear her thinking "surely one of these is the right one." Of course I'd cave and we'd go play ball for awhile - often at her favorite park - oh, how she loved the park. She was so focused on the ball and retrieving it for me - her job - that there could be 50 dogs in the park and she wouldn't even say "hi" to them. "Later, I'll talk to you later. I'm working now and I want to get it right." Her focus remained on me (or, frankly, whoever would throw the ball) and her job - fetching and retrieving the ball.

- The one thing we were never able to do for her was play ball enough. We always got tired first. One of her favorite moments in life was when mom and dad would come to visit. When Marleigh saw dad it was all over. The excitement was overwhelming and as far as Marleigh was concerned, the rest of the family became chopped liver - I think dad was just fresh meat. Dad wasn't tired of this ball game yet like we were and he was fresh meat. She loved it when he'd play ball and she egged him on the entire time he was at our house. Her unrelenting persistence usually paid off for her. Thank you dad for those special moments and memories.

- Marleigh never forgot anyone. Even in her last days, if I mentioned Cassie, Barney, Bridget, Paddy or Maggie, her ears perked up. While she was healthy, if I mentioned the "Denver group" at all, she'd rush to the front door and sit and wait for them to come. I learned quickly that I couldn't say these names unless Cassie was going to arrive in the next few minutes. Marleigh would sit for hours waiting to see them appear. I'd have to take her on a walk, play ball or something to get her mind off it. She didn't do it as much with the names of "mom" or "dad" because Seth and I were "mom" and "dad" to her. But, if Seth accidentally said "Mickey" or "Charlie," that was different, there she'd go to sit at the front door - the welcoming committee. She even got used to Grace's name and every time we talked about Grace (which is often), her ears perked up, her tail would wag and she'd go to the front door waiting to see if her play mate was coming over. When Grace or Cassie would come for an overnight visit, when they left, Marleigh and Abby would always go to the guest room for several mornings afterwards to see where they were. Even after Cassie's last visit, as hard as it was to walk, Marleigh would go into that room and look for her.

Finally, I cannot forget Marleigh's smile. She's the only dog I've ever had that smiled. She'd smile at anyone who approached her...she was convinced they were there just to see her. In her last days, she was unable to smile, but I could see a slight smile in her eyes - she was happy to see us when we walked in the door. I'll always miss her smile.

Although our hearts are broken at the loss of our beloved girl, the joy she gave us over the years far outweighs the pain we feel now. I wanted to write this mostly to help heal my heart and to get those wonderful memories of her written down. These memories are only a few. More will come over the next days and weeks and I'll write them to myself and my Jesus whom I love more than life itself. I don't know what I'd do without Jesus in my life - especially during times of sorrow. I'm so thankful that He knows the grief of losing a beloved pet, because He knows and shares in all of our joys and sorrows. Thank You, God, for the gift you gave us with Marleigh...she is and will always be greatly loved and missed.

I'm one of those crazy people that thinks because of Who God is and because of His great love and mercy, we'll get to see our beloved pets again one day. I imagine Marleigh romping and playing with Cooper, Barney and Bridget. She's out of pain and discomfort, in her right mind and a happy girl. I love you and miss you my dear, sweet Marleigh-girl.

From Seth and I, thank you for all your prayers, support and love during this time. To mom and dad, and Cym and Dale: Thank you again for your enduring patience with us over Thanksgiving...that was Marleigh's most difficult day. We know each of you can understand the sadness we are experiencing right now, but the Lord reminded me of this verse this morning "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning". Ps. 30:5. I'm looking forward to the morning...

We love you all so very much.
Robin Lowell (Cym's Sister-in-Law)