“…for love is strong as death…” Song of Solomon 8:6
When I was young, I lived in a garden. There was technically a house in that garden, but I wasn’t in it very much other than to eat a few bites or to sleep in a glass-walled sun porch that looked out on — you guessed it — the garden.
This garden was a multi-roomed masterpiece given the generous nature of California weather, the creation of a woman named Daisy who found even the smallish bungalow at its front too much to contend with in her later years and sold it to my parents.
A farmette at the back of the property — full of fruit trees and berries and an English walnut whose branches stretched out over an alley — was nice. But, my favorite space was the “room” closest to the house.
This might have been a function of youthful fear. More likely, it was the flowers. This space was loaded with roses and daisies and was an excellent place to hang out with Bobby, the dog of my childhood, who seemed as interested in following the magical silver trails of snails as I was.
Bobby has long since gone on to that Pantheon of the Good Dog. As has Luki, the scrappy stray who graced my single-lady years, rejecting every date until one young man arrived with such unlikely things like cheddar cheese bits in his pocket. (We will celebrate 27 years of marriage this summer.)
Aldo is also in the pantheon. This astonishingly beautiful dog-child of our newlywed years went everywhere we did, even across a national border. When human babies at long last arrived, he recognized them as the pups they were and responded in kind, carrying about and grooming a tiny pink bear of his own.
And, Miles, too, is now there.
Sweet Miles – the dog of my daughters’ childhood, the dog who once raced to the front of the line when it was time for their evening haircare, the dog who settled onto the couch with a relieved sigh, his head propped on my right hip, when those wilder things finally went to bed. The dog who would absolutely have hated their imminent fledging.
His season, like our daughters’ childhood, is gone. Suddenly gone. But, there is a garden in back of our home that both Aldo and Miles loved in turn. It’s full of daisies and ants, birds and chipmunks, the occasional silvery trail of snail.
Someday, there will be another dog there. The dog of our empty nest. But, for now, I like to think of Miles in that space, sunning on the deck with his snout nestled in a crook of the railing. I can almost see him still.
Nora Edinger -- JOY Journal 
Great Missive! Happy Hearts Day from me and Ole (our cat Olaf)!
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Back atcha! Olaf. I love it!
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This was such a lyrical and poignant tribute to the canine members of your family. I was very touched by it.
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Thanks, Liz. Dogs are just the best.
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You’re welcome, Nora. I’m a dog-lover, too.
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What a sweetly written tribute. Moving.
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Thank you, Cynthia. He was a lovely dog.
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Crying. That was beautiful. Miles and those who came before would love it. ❤️
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I suspect Miles thought he was our only dog ever! He was kind of like that…
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Beautiful tribute 😢❤️
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Thanks, Julie!
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Nora, this is absolutely beautiful. What a delight it was to meet Bobby, Luki, and Aldo as you remembered Miles. I can’t think of a more honorable role for him to have in your life and memory- the dog of your daughters’ childhood.
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🙂 Thank you! This is true — growing up together is something special.
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Beautiful Nora. I prob met Miles somewhere along the way. He seemed like a nice dog. We have had our daughters dog with us since 2016. He is 15.His name is Buddy. Tom and I enjoy watching him very much. He is starting to loose his hearing, but does pretty good. We spoil him.
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🙂 Doggies should be spoiled! Miles actually visited the church there a couple of times with us as we were going hiking after service!
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This is so beautifully written Nora, thank you. Almost like I am right there in the present and the past surrounded by that beautiful garden with those fuzzy friends of yours past and future.
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🙂 Thank you for reading. They’ve all been sweeties!
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We said goodbye to our canine companion the day after Christmas. 💔 It’s so hard, isn’t it? But you’re right, their presence can still be felt.
Thanks for commenting on my last post (“My Soap Opera Life”). I saw the comment, but when I tried to answer it, it disappeared. Not sure what that’s all about, but I appreciate your stopping by.
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That’s odd about the disappearing comment. Who knows? I remember your post about Mr. Hollywood! There were several bloggers I read who lost a dog this winter. It is tough.
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You remember his name! That’s impressive. Yes, the Lord taught me some things through him. I spoke about one of them at a speakers ‘conference and was referred to the rest of the time as “Hollywood’s Mom.” 💕
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Too funny!
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Beautiful and moving tribute to human’s best friend. There’s no love like the love of a dog.
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Thank you! Dogs are simply the best.
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