A Bittersweet Look in the Rearview Mirror

by Skip Cohen

It's Throwback Thursday, and I'm surprised at how accurate the expression "time heals all wounds" really is. Five years ago, our vet made me realize how selfish it was to prolong Molly the Wonder Dog's life. She was fighting liver cancer, and serious intervention would have only prolonged her pain without any quality of life.  

When I shared the images above on a Facebook post, there were close to 300 comments from people who completely understood the hole in my heart that day. Molly had been by my side non-stop for 13 years. I honestly was at a complete loss for how to deal with the sadness.

Nine months later, Sheila and I decided to add Lucy and Belle to the family. But here's what amazed me...The two pups have Molly's spirit, especially Lucy. It's almost as if they went to "Molly Class," and she made sure they were tuned into what made us laugh. And their energy as smaller dogs is so much like Molly's, as a pup.

I get that those of you who have lost dogs before wholly understand, but it took me a while to realize that being consistent with having a pup or two in the house was a tribute to Molly, not a replacement. All of this seems pretty trite to share today, but the hole in my heart never healed. It just got filled up with more love, this time from two pups.

Having two dogs totally expanded and strengthened the bond between all of us. It's non-stop unconditional love all day, every day, and it just keeps getting better. Finding the pics above on Facebook today as an FB Memory, finally made me smile - sure it's a little bittersweet, but I feel so lucky to have had Molly in my life and now be hanging out with Lucy and Belle.

​Happy Throwback Thursday!