Fourteen years ago, an angel joined our family. Sparky was a young, black and white mixed breed dog that had been living at the animal shelter for several months. He was overweight, out of shape, and eating disgusting canned dog food that, by all appearances, went in and came out looking the same.
Driving to the animal shelter that morning, I had warned my two young sons that we were just going there to look. I insisted we were NOT going to come home with the first dog we saw. Then a shelter volunteer brought Sparky out to meet us.
“This is a phenomenal dog,” I remember her saying.
I took one look at his sweet, happy face and I caved. Sparky came home with us.
The first few times I took Sparky for a run, he could barely go two miles. Although he was a young dog, only about a year and a half old, by the shelter’s estimation, he had been cooped up for so long, he had lost his youthful energy and stamina. I had to coax him, gently pull him along and encourage him to keep going when he sat his fat little behind down as if he couldn’t take another step.
This didn’t last long, though, because very quickly he began to love our daily runs. He lost ten pounds and became a sleek, strong, healthy dog.
Sparky was the most joyful creature I ever knew. He loved the rhythm of his life. Every morning he greeted me with a big dog smile, happy and eager to start the day. He couldn’t wait to eat his breakfast, nearly burst with joy at the thought of going for a run. He especially loved running on local trails where he ran freely and leashless beside us. He loved chasing squirrels and greeting other dogs.
He loved us with every fiber of his being and his happiest moments were when he ran with Pat and I together. He easily kept up with Pat’s quicker stride, but whenever they came to a fork in the trail, Sparky would stop and wait for me to make sure that I went the right way.
“Go ahead, Sparky! Go ahead!” I would call out. At that, he would tear off at high speed to catch up with Pat again.
Sparky camped, hiked and backpacked with us. Last summer, he carried his own little pack filled with dogfood and treats when we backpacked 50 miles on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. He lived the most fun life a dog could ever have.
We loved him deeply and dearly. We adored him, spoiled him, played with him and cuddled with him.
He was one of the best friends and companions I ever had. For the last fourteen years, God let me borrow His happiest, most joyful angel to show me how life should be lived.
Sixteen years is a long life for a dog, and Sparky was blessed to live sixteen happy, healthy years. He had never even been sick until the last week of his life. And then it was clear that God needed His angel back in heaven.
Losing Sparky is one of the deepest pains I have ever experienced. My grief is overwhelming. I wake up every morning and cry because I can’t believe my world exists without him. I know dogs can’t live forever. But I still want Sparky to wake me up and remind me to greet every day with joy and eagerness.
I will have to do it without him.
Right now, I am filled with such grief and sorrow, I can only hope that someday it will be easier.
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28 Comments
Awww Ann, I love you. I’m so sorry for your loss. This brings back so much heartache with Jackson that I almost didn’t read it. However, only you can make the most sorrowful situation end wonderfully by your words. He definitely is, was and will remain one of God’s angels. Prayers to you and Pat for healing your hearts.
Thanks Sher. I really appreciate your comfort.
Awww Ann, I love you. I’m so sorry for your loss. This brings back so much heartache with Jackson that I almost didn’t read it. However, only you can make the most sorrowful situation end wonderfully by your words. He definitely is, was and will remain one of God’s angels. Prayers to you and Pat for healing your hearts.
Thanks Sher. I really appreciate your comfort.
Im drying my tears ..
In shock .. Precious Sparky gone ?
Such a wonderful companion and intregal part of difficult and happy times for you and the boys .
Im so sorry Ann for your loss
Thank you Becky. I am devastated beyond words. I miss him so much.
Im drying my tears ..
In shock .. Precious Sparky gone ?
Such a wonderful companion and intregal part of difficult and happy times for you and the boys .
Im so sorry Ann for your loss
Thank you Becky. I am devastated beyond words. I miss him so much.
Ann,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your love, Sparky. You were a great mom to him. Someday you will see him again and won’t that be a joyful time! Sending you hugs!
Thank you so much, Ronda. It’s comforting to know that I will see him again.
Ann,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your love, Sparky. You were a great mom to him. Someday you will see him again and won’t that be a joyful time! Sending you hugs!
Thank you so much, Ronda. It’s comforting to know that I will see him again.
As I write, I sit and cry. My heart is broken for you and I pray for the strength and acceptance you need to carry on your days without Sparky. May you always feel his Spirit! I’m grateful to have met and walked with him. Much love AND hugs!
Amy, I’m so grateful for your kind words. Thank you.
As I write, I sit and cry. My heart is broken for you and I pray for the strength and acceptance you need to carry on your days without Sparky. May you always feel his Spirit! I’m grateful to have met and walked with him. Much love AND hugs!
Amy, I’m so grateful for your kind words. Thank you.
Oh Ann I think this is the best story you have ever written. What a beautiful testament of love for Sparky and the love you received. Your family is in my heart. Sparky is pain free and will meet you all at the Rainbow Bridge. I love you all.
You’re so wonderful. Thanks Ellie. Sparky was such a beautiful, wonderful companion for all of us!
Oh Ann I think this is the best story you have ever written. What a beautiful testament of love for Sparky and the love you received. Your family is in my heart. Sparky is pain free and will meet you all at the Rainbow Bridge. I love you all.
You’re so wonderful. Thanks Ellie. Sparky was such a beautiful, wonderful companion for all of us!
Reading this wonderful tribute to Sparky made me feel “normal”. Dealing with our loss of Riley a few weeks ago I felt like I was over the top with my grief and needed to pull it together. Now I’m at peace with my overwhelming sorrow. Your beautiful words expressing your deep feeling of love for Sparky were a big help! I walk our old walk on the property and shed tears of joy because I was blessed with a special furry friend. Thank you Ann for helping me see that its ok to love a pet and miss them like you would a human. Love to you, Ann and to Pat. When I take my Riley walk you two will be in my thoughts.♡♡♡
Reading this wonderful tribute to Sparky made me feel “normal”. Dealing with our loss of Riley a few weeks ago I felt like I was over the top with my grief and needed to pull it together. Now I’m at peace with my overwhelming sorrow. Your beautiful words expressing your deep feeling of love for Sparky were a big help! I walk our old walk on the property and shed tears of joy because I was blessed with a special furry friend. Thank you Ann for helping me see that its ok to love a pet and miss them like you would a human. Love to you, Ann and to Pat. When I take my Riley walk you two will be in my thoughts.♡♡♡
Jan, I’m so sorry about Riley. Believe me, I understand how painful it has been for you. Your thoughts are very soothing to me, too. Yesterday I finally gathered the courage to go to a trail where we used to run with Sparky. I had to cry and walk a lot of the way. Much love to you.
Ann, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of Sparky. I know it is very painful right now and you miss him dearly. Over time your heart will heal. I’m sure putting your thoughts and feelings on paper helped a little. You wrote a beautiful piece.
My thoughts are with you and Pat.
Denise Murray
Ann, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of Sparky. I know it is very painful right now and you miss him dearly. Over time your heart will heal. I’m sure putting your thoughts and feelings on paper helped a little. You wrote a beautiful piece.
My thoughts are with you and Pat.
Denise Murray
Thanks Denise. On Saturday, we were at Bark for Life with all those beautiful, wonderful, funny dogs. We didn’t know that we would lose our own beautiful, wonderful, funny dog the next day. Your kind thoughts mean a lot. Thanks.