1. It’s been a hard week around here. Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our sweet dog Monkey. We got him in February of 2002, just as I was starting to promote This Lullaby. My husband had done a job for some folks with a dog named Monkey, and we loved it so much I put it in a book AND my own house. He was pretty much the cutest boxer puppy ever:
What can I tell you about such a good boy? He was smart and loving. He could jump higher vertically than any dog I have ever seen. He was way too big to be a lapdog but climbed up anyway, always. He was gentle with Coco, our little dog, even when she jumped on him, and even more kind to our kid, even though her arrival meant he didn’t get as much attention as he once had. The only good thing about him being gone was that his decline was quick and merciful: he didn’t suffer over weeks or months, only a few days. It’s awfully quiet around here, though. We’re all adjusting to the empty space he left behind. But I know he’s at peace now. And there’s a comfort, a little bit anyway, in that.
2. One of the hardest things about all this—not that any of it was easy—was telling my daughter that Monkey was gone. She’d known he wasn’t doing well, as the last few days had been really bad. But sitting her down and trying to explain that he was tired and gone to heaven…man. She cried, I cried. She’s worried that Coco is going to go to heaven now, or me, or Daddy. I know it’s important for her to understand about life and death but a part of me just wishes we could have waited a little bit longer to have to deal with this. At five, you just shouldn’t be worried about people dying. Right? Or am I just being overprotective? All I can do, really, is eat a lot of cookies with her, talk about all the great things we loved about Monk, and be there to answer her questions, as hard as they may be for me to deal with. Still: not easy. Sigh.
3. On a more uplifting note—please, right?—I am finally embracing the fall. I had to turn on the heat this week AND pull out my Uggs, which pretty much means resistance is now futile. Plus there are other signs, like the smell of chimney smoke in the neighborhood, and the NC State Fair beginning this week. (Once you start seeing articles in the paper about the latest in deep-fried fair food—this year, it’s fried Girl Scout Cookies and cupcakes—you know winter is right around the corner.) The only thing that is hard for me is the days getting OH so short. It bums me out. I know they sell those lights that are supposed to mimic daylight, and I’m seriously thinking about investing in one IF they work. It’s cheaper than therapy, right? Or maybe not?
4. Another sign of fall: Halloween. This is, honestly, a holiday I had kind of checked out on before I had my kid. I loved it when I was younger, but I wasn’t into the whole costume thing as an adult. Although the candy, I will ALWAYS partake in. Who doesn’t? Anyway, once I had my daughter and she was old enough to get the whole Halloween thing, I was back in, big-time. I was a Real Housewife—complete with Bump-It in my hair!–then a cowgirl. This year we are going full-on Princess, which should not surprise anyone who reads this or my Twitter regularly. My daughter is Sleeping Beauty, and I am Snow White. I went online to look for costumes and there were SO many to choose from. Traditional, long-gown Snow White. Seductive Snow White (yikes!). Short-skirt but conservative Snow White. And the one I went with, Sassy Snow White. (I think the Sassy refers to the short skirt and the little corset bodice, although I can’t be sure.) Anyway, our stuff arrived and we decided to try it on. The skirt on mine was a BIT shorter than I anticipated, and the shoes I bought can only be described as stripper-esque. Whoops! Definitely not a look I can wear to the the preschool Halloween party. So now I’m improvising. I’m thinking some yellow leggings, with red flats, might tone the whole thing down? Or, I may look like a clown. My husband, bless him, was like, “VA-VOOM!” But I have to think about the children. I mean, it’s only right.
5. Finally, the new TV season is in full swing, and one show I’ve REALLY been looking forward to premiered this week: Nashville. I haven’t watched it yet—too crazy of a week—but I intend to immerse myself in it this weekend once I have some downtime. The truth is, though, I’d watch Connie Britton, Tami Taylor from Friday Night Lights, in ANYTHING. There are so many things to love about her, and her as Tami, but one of my VERY favorite is how she says the word “y’all.” As a Southerner, I’ve long known how great a word this is for general conversation. When I was waitressing, it was my go-to for greeting tables, because it didn’t matter if it was two people or fifteen, it still worked. “Can I get y’all something to drink while you look over the menu?” Also it’s very handy when you are angry with a bunch of people: I’ll admit to a weakness, not that I am proud, for “F**k ALL y’all!” If you haven’t said that, just do it once. You’ll see: it’s empowering. Anyway, I found a clip of Tami rocking her y’all and it’s just what I need after this long week. Maybe y’all do, too? If so, enjoy it here.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
I am so sorry about Monkey
and my thoughts are with you. I can’t imagine explaining all of that to a young child but it sounds like you did it just right.
And thank you for a great post (I really liked #5).
And thank you for sharing your life with us the readers
Aw I’m sorry to hear about Monkey! I just finished reading This Lullaby again too.
I had to have the same conversation with my five year old too. I lost my mother to cancer when I was younger and he asked where my mommy was. I was stuck on how to explain cancer to him. It worked out though and he moved on from the topic as if he knew it made me sad.
I agree with you that Halloween is much more enjoyable when you have a little one!
Augusta Georgia State Fair is here too!!
i love fall! But im very sorry about your doggy.
I’m SO SO sorry to hear about your dog!
So so sorry about poor Monkey! But its defiantly best that he went quickly. We had to put down my dog, Muffie, about a year ago and it was so hard. That took a long time, her pains were slow, going over a year and we think she had cancer. It took till she could no longer walk up our many stairs that heart-breakingly we put her down. I cried for a week straight. But its better for him now, hes up in doggy heaven without any pain, he was loved dearly and taken good care of. Thats all a good dog can ask for. Love the Halloween thing, that is just too awesome!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dog Monkey. I remember how tough it was when my first dog died, so my heart goes out to you and your family.
Hope you have a fantastic Halloween
Oh, Sarah. Sad on many levels, not least of which is that Monkey’s goodbye means an end to the Monkey-Scout era. Perhaps that’s a silver lining: those two buddies have been reunited, and you know it’s gotta be par-TAY central wherever they are, out there beyond the Rainbow Bridge. Pick up a copy of Cynthia Rylant’s Dog Heaven for your girl…it’s the gift that keeps on giving, promise. Pick a star from the night sky and call it Monkey’s star. He can wink at your daughter every night of the world, and his light will shine her to sleep.
What an adorable puppy. Boxers are great – so sorry about the news. On a brighter note, our local fair will be here at the end of the month and I’ve already requested off work to go! Love the fair, but mostly the food
I share my love for Friday Night Lights with you.. am wondering if she is still going to be on American Horror Story? Haven’t checked into that. Please give us a recap on your thoughts of Nashville – I love her, but haven’t put that show into my DVR queue. And I can so relate to the word y’all! I use it with a lot of my tables (yes, I’m a server) not even realizing it most of the time. Just a part of being southern, I guess.. have a great weekend!
Saying Goodbye to Lulu is a School Library Journal and Booklist reviewed book for PreK-2 by Corinne Demas about losing a pet. You might want to read it with your little peanut to ease her struggle (and yours). Such a difficult thing. Be well.
I’m so sorry to hear about Monkey! Losing loved ones is always hard. My oldest cat will be 16 this December and though she seems pretty healthy right now I know it’s only a matter of time. I’ve lost pets in the past and it’s never easy. My thoughts are with you and your husband and daughter!
I’ll definitely be checking out Nashville too. I love country music and Connie Britton so I’m sure I’ll love it.
Sarah, I am so sorry about Monkey. Has anyone suggested Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant? My daughter’s fourth-grade teacher recommended it last fall when we lost our Morgan, and I’ve suggested it to several parents here at the library since. I even made sure that my branch owns a copy, for the inevitable-and-probably-going-to-happen-soon-day when we lose Bailey. It’s a sweet story–it does mention God, which is why my daughter’s teacher suggested it and didn’t just pawn it off on her, but if you’re OK with dogs going to heaven, it’s a nice story that should make your daughter smile.
Well, you’re week has been less chaotic than mine, 1.)This week is Harvest Festival, which, is a VERY big deal in our school. 2.) Our rival school made sure to make today their HOMECOMING!!!-How do you compete? 3.) I had to sell tickets for a queen that I hate, and a King that is a major nerd(Don’t ask how he became King.). and 4.)I didn’t have a minute to finish re-reading Along For The Ride. That one was probably the worst. And 5.)When I got on the bus, my favorite skinny jeans got soaked. I don’t have time to change. So, sorry about Monkey:(, and good-luck with that spare minute for TV.
So, so sorry about your dog Monkey, but the pictures you’ve been posting of him are darling. He looks like he was an amazing, adorable little boy.
I’m so sorry about Monkey. Your post about telling your daughter about him going to heaven almost made me cry. I guess i’ll have to reread Just Lullaby again (for the fifth time:) in memory of him. I’ll be thinking of you and your daughter:)
You can try adding a pettiskirt underneath to make it appear longer. So sorry to hear about Monkey. I like to think of it as the last gift you can give your pet.
Sarah, I understand you when you are talking about this silence in your house after the death Monkey. Six years ago I lost my dog Armon; he had suffered for a long time, he was given different medicines. Finally a vet put him down. I cannot find any words to describe that period in my life. And that silence after he was gone. It seemed like parts of my body were dying.
I’m so sorry about Monkey. It’s always hard to lose a furry family member – they leave their little paw prints on your heart.
I’m very sorry about your dog. I just lost my boxer in February and it was the most heartbreaking moment of my life.
Boxers= Best Friends
http://imgur.com/DBBDy
When I read everyone’s comments, there all pretty much what I expected. “Im very sory about your dog.” “Im so sorry about monkey.” “Sarah, Im so sorry about Monkey.”
But what would you think they would say?
Yeah, were all so, so sorry, but being sorry isn’t enough.
I am so sorry to hear about your dog, Monkey. It’s always sad losing a pet.
I think leggings and flats would totally work for your costume! I’ve had to do that myself in the past.
I am so sorry about your dog, Monkey.
I recently lost my dog Eddy in July, and it kind of made me depressed for the rest of the summer. And everyone that I told, just told me that it was part of the circle of life (That definitely didn’t help any :’(.
So Sorry
I have never commented hear but I was so sorry to read about your dog. I was nearly thirty last time one of my pets died and it was still pretty much the same thing — tears and ice cream all weekend with Mommy. Hope good things happen and you guys start to feel better soon.
Um. Commented HERE, no less.
Omg, I just finished reading This Lullaby FIVE MINUTES AGO and I got curious and wanted to check out your website! I find that so sweet that you put him as Dexter’s dog! And I’m really sorry
But, by the way, I really really enjoyed the book! This Lullaby was such a “dreamy” book, haha, and I really really really loved Dexter! And Remy and him as a couple! Personally, I find Dexter the perfect boyfriend. If only he was real, hahahaha, just kidding (:
Thanks so much for being an awesome writer
THAT PUPPY IS ADORABLE!!!