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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2019)
8 Wednesday, April 3, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Commentary... Goodnight Molly: A tribute By Tom Donahue Guest Columnist say now: I did not realize how empty and cold the house would be without you and how I would automatically start to reach for your food dish and your water dish and your leash 4 and then catch myself, real- izing you were not there to eat or drink or go on a walk. Or there for me to see you lying on the carpet, warmed by that little spot of sunshine that you always seemed to find. Following that spot as it worked its way across the room. Both of us taking com- fort from that simple little pleasure. I9m not sure which of us was more warmed by that little spot of sun. I will also miss all the other simple little pleasures. Like coming home or waking up to your greeting. Or hik- ing thru the wilderness while you did your hunter thing. Or wondering if you found some dietary indiscretion in the woods that you and I would pay for after your diges- tive system did its thing. Or looking in the rear-view mir- ror to see your focused gaze and coiled body as you tried to spot chipmunks scurrying across forest roads. We did spend many glorious hours in the woods, didn9t we? In short, I will miss the comfort of your presence and all those thousand little things you did that brought both of us such joy, whether you were seden- tary or at full gallop. I will even miss doing all the tedious little chores that I sometimes complained about. Like trying to find a hotel or rental home that will allow you to stay. Or making sure I got home on time to let you out. Or vac- uuming three times a week. Or dealing with all those additional clumps of hair that you seemed to molt every spring and fall. Or trying to find you after you got yourself lost in the woods. <I9m not lost dad, you just don9t know where to find me.= If only people could learn your unconditional love and forgiving nature. Besides the basic necessities of eating, drinking, peeing, pooping, and chasing, the thing you wanted most was to be with me. To go where I went and do what I did. On those few times when I made you stay home by yourself 4 and there were more of those as you got older 4 you, of course, sulked. But, when I got home, you forgave me as if it had never happened. All I had to do to get you to wag your tail was walk into a room or talk to you. Even when I scolded you, you forgave me. You seemed to know that I was only doing it for your safety 4 and so I could get my deposit back. What9s the use? Words cannot begin to express how I feel about you and how much I will miss you. I hope my actions during your earthly days spoke louder than these words. Just know that looking at you made me smile. Your The following is dedicated to dogs and dog-lovers every- where. While this column is about one dog, it9s quite apparent that most owners feel the same way about their dogs. Molly was a 50-pound shepherd mix 4 though one vet said she looked like a Czechoslovakian wolfdog 4 that I was privileged to spend 15 years with. She came to me from the Bend Humane Society when she was six months old. She died on February 28 of many things common to old dogs. But, thankfully, she was active until her final few days. And she never complained. " " " Dear Molly, You left me too suddenly and quickly. I know I9m sup- posed to be grateful for that. Grateful that you and I were spared the pain and suffer- ing of a long, protracted ill- ness. Grateful that it came on without warning and lasted only a few short days. Grateful that you died on your own and I did not have to make that dreaded decision. Grateful that you were active until those last few days 4 even though your old bones creaked and your muscles ached. Grateful that you were around for 15 glorious years. While I am grateful for all those things, I still can9t help but feel cheated. Cheated that I did not get a chance to say a proper goodbye and tell you all that you meant to me while you were fully aware 4 that I only got to do that after you lapsed into semi- consciousness and labored breathing, it finally dawning on me that the end was near. Sports, FAA, or Cheated that I did not fully realize how sick you were DOT Physicals! and treated you more gently — Offer expires 4/10/19 — and compassionately in your last few days. Cheated that my primary concern seemed to be to get you to go outside and go for a walk to do your 541-548-2899 3818 SW 21st Pl., Ste. 100 business rather than to let you Redmond • Open every day yo yourcaremedical.com our urc caremedical com lie there and be comfortable. So here is what I want to WALK-IN • URGENT CARE • OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE • X-RAY $10 OFF When life changes, you still want a place that feels like home! joy in the little things taught me perspective. Your pres- ence gave me comfort. I made a poor attempt to tell you how I felt every day of your life. I leave you now with my nightly good night wishes. Goodnight Molly It9s time to go to bed Have a good night9s sleep, ok I want my puppy to have the best sleep ever Cus she9s the best puppy ever She9s the best puppy in the world I9ll see you in the morn- ing honey And now you truly are having the best sleep ever. Love, Dad CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND FAITH An evening with local artist Dan Rickards April 10, 6:30 pm SISTERS COMMUNITY CHURCH WEDNESDAY 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy., Sisters Mark your calendar for... Game Night! Wed., April 10 • 6 PM Continuing the 2nd Wednesday of every month. 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Tall Fir Ct., Sisters 541-549-1726 P’ P 182 E. Tall Fir Ct., Sisters | 541-549-1336 D T | O/O Business Cell 541-848-3194 For more info on our events and a full calendar, please visit paulinaspringsbooks.com. Enjoy exceptional service when you SHOP LOCAL for Books, Games, Toys, Gift s and Audio Books at Paulina Springs Books 252 W. Hood Ave., Sisters 541-549-0866 • info@paulinaspringsbooks.com We can order and receive most titles in 1-2 days for no additional charge! Ask about Frequent Buyer Rewards.