Goodbye Maia

Regular followers of my blog will know I haven’t posted for a while and one of the reasons is that on July 2 my lovely dog Maia was diagnosed with canine lymphoma.

I noticed enlarged lymph nodes on her neck and under her “arms” and the vet did a needle aspiration and delivered the devastating news a few days later.

For most of the time up until she died on 21 October she displayed absolutely no symptoms whatsoever and that is some comfort, although it is also hard to realise your dog is actually dying.

I have posted about canine lymphoma on a separate page with some information and links I found useful.

A friend sent me this lovely poem which helped me. I hope if you have lost a dog it will help you too.

“ I Stood Beside Your Bed Last Night”

I stood beside your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well. I’m fine, I’m here.”

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour your tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the marsh today. Your legs were getting sore.
I longed to make just one retrieve, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, “It’s me.”

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew.
In the stillness of that evening, I was close to you.
The day is over, I smile and watch you yawning.
And say “goodnight, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out, then come home to be with me.

Author unknown

Goodbye Maia.