For auld lang syne, my dear,      
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

So the New Year begins. 

The Eve was a sad day.  Lily passed away in her sleep overnight.  Mum had been sleeping on the floor with her the past few nights and early in the morning she asked Daddy to check her because, even though her head was right next to her; she couldn’t bear to touch her.  I was still in bed but I could hear the tears in her voice.   That meant there was that salty wet on her cheeks and I wanted to kiss them away but they left me in the kennel while they made a few phone calls and then came and got me.  Mum bustled me out the bedroom door and shut it but I looked, quick, over my shoulder and all I could see was Lily’s little blanket in a tiny mound with Squirrely right there beside it.

Breakfast was quiet with Mum and Daddy talking in quiet, sad tones.  I was a little cross because Mum forgot to sing me my wake up song:  “Good morning; good morning!  It’s great to see you up.  Good morning; good morning to you!” but I went outside to do my business and wandered in the garden for a while in the cold.

Later, Mum and Daddy bundled up and Mum said to me, as we sat together on the sofa; “We must take Lily to get ready for Eternity.  Her spirit is with her Rudy, now, and Megan and Lovey, too but we want her remains settled so that she can join Rudy in their urn.  So, we must go “Bye Bye” for a little while.”  Her cheeks still glistened so I jumped up and threw my paws around her neck and kissed them until she smiled.

After that, both Lily and Squirrely were gone from the house.  The part I miss the most is walking in the garden with the old girl.  Even though she was so tiny and frail; she would walk out to the fence at all points of the yard and I would watch her wander.  Mum always watched from the house and sometimes she would come out and get Lily (I think she thought Lily forgot to come in) and carry her into the house.

There is lots of special Lily food left and Mum gave me some for supper.  It was SO good!

Later, deep into the night and long past my bedtime; Daddy came out to sit on the sofa with Mum and me.  Mum had brought a tray with two sparkling glasses and a bottle of wine and, when the voices on the TV got loud, they clinked the glasses, kissed, and said “Happy New Year!”  Then they gave me a biscuit and played with me between them.

Mum is still sad in the days that have passed.   She keeps the wet from her cheeks, now; but she often talks about Lily this and Lily that . . .

I try to tell her I love her best.  When she leaves the house and says “Bye, Bye” I always throw my paws around her neck and cover her face and neck with kisses.  This makes Mum smile and laugh and she tells me what a clever girl I am.

So the year begins with just the three of us.  I must confess I am happy to have them all to myself and now I can spend more time with Daddy (Lily stayed with him most of the time so I was gated out of the TV room).   Now I am big girl and I am in charge of taking care of them and I intend to do the best job I can.

Mum says life is a tapestry; woven with sturdy thread and, as the years go by; gold threads for joy are intertwined in it  and silver for sadness so that, in the end, it shimmers though It is worn with use.  She tells me spring is coming and we’ll go out in the garden again to play but for now we’ll enjoy the coziness of Rose Cottage and use the time to remember and plan for the future.  

I just know I love the quiet and the warmth of Mum’s lap and Daddy’s big strong hands on my back. 

Happy New Year!