Sometimes the hardest thing we can do, when a friend is suffering, is nothing. It goes against our natural instinct to nurture and comfort and try to make people feel better. However, we need to think of what they want and not do what we feel comfortable doing.We need to honor their wishes, respect their needs. I identify so very well with this particular pain, I lost my best friend, Callie, my dog, less than a year ago. My friend, everyone’s friend, Judy Judith lost her dog Max the other day. He was not only her dog-friend but ours, he was an icon and part of all our lives. We all knew him, and apparently, he knew us too. He wrote us letters.
His name was Max. The dog owner of the wonderful blog “Creativity to the Max” helped by his “human,” Judith Westerfield, one of the loveliest and intelligent people I know. Those who know her adore her, those who interact with her form her wide fan club and fall in love with her. She is direct and honest and she will tell you what she thinks, good or bad, directly, no matter what, and when she says something you wrote is good, you better believe her because if not, she will theoretically smack you on the head over cyberspace in a loving way, of course. She is also extremely funny and she makes us laugh.
To know that she is in pain is killing me. When my dog, Callie, died a few months short of a year ago, Judith was there for me, telling me it will hurt but it would get better, Selena told me about the Rainbow Bridge that I had never heard of before. Maureen and Rosemary and Lorraine and Tammy and other friends supported me and helped me through it. I relied on these friends that I have never met in person. These friends on-line had become family, our own family, they knew the right things to say, there was no drama between us (okay, maybe just a little), no childhood memories or lapses in judgment. They were here to listen and to support and encourage; I am here for them as well.
Friendship is both about being there for someone when she needs you but, even harder, stepping back, when she asks you to. We are all stepping back in honor of your request, in honor of Max. We will miss you, Max, and we will hurt because we know our dear friend Judy Judith is hurting. Don’t worry, Max, you can count on us to take care of her for you. In memory of you, Llliiiiickingly yours, Lexi-Pro and her human friends.
A beautiful and touching post honouring a very special person and her furry companion.
LikeLike
I should add that Max was a phenomal dog — it’s good that they had the time together. They truly were soul mates.
LikeLike
they really were!!!
Warm wishes, Laurie https://hibernationnow.wordpress.com
>________________________________
LikeLike
Thanks Phy, i appreciate it. I was scared of Judy’s reaction but after she “hated” me, she loved it. (I was really scared)
Warm wishes, Laurie https://hibernationnow.wordpress.com
>________________________________
LikeLike
Ok, I’m calmer. I don’t hate you any more. I love you much more.
LikeLike
wphew, I was really scared. you said not to respond to your post. technically you didn’t say anything about blogging. and I waited 2 days to post it. thank you for not hating me. I really was anxious. I love you too. love, Lexi-Pro
Warm wishes, Laurie https://hibernationnow.wordpress.com
>________________________________
LikeLike
I HATE YOU. You made me cry more and embarrassed me in public by saying all those incredibly loving and wonderful things.
LikeLike
omg, I just saw this one now. I’m SORRY. ( why were you reading it in public?) now I feel worse than before.
Warm wishes, Laurie https://hibernationnow.wordpress.com
>________________________________
LikeLike
That was a tongue in cheek “I hate you” kinda like when a child throws it out to get attention.
So if you are choosing to feel bad . . . STOP IT!
P.s. I wasn’t reading it in public. I was referring to how could a blog in cyberspace be private! My sense of humor doesn’t always come across in print. I will have to learn how to do those smiley face thingeys
LikeLike
Warm wishes, Laurie https://hibernationnow.wordpress.com
>________________________________
LikeLike
Sad story. Somehow our online friends are always there when we need someone.
LikeLike