Magic has been on my mind a lot recently, as I help a friend who is trying to help her dog with some aggression issues. Fortunately for her and her dog, it’s not a neurological problem, as Magic’s was. With some consistency and strong, clear boundaries, I think they’ll both be fine.
Even while I can say I’ve finally gotten over the “what if’s” and the “if only’s” with Magic, I haven’t gotten over him. This quote pretty much sums it up for me.
“It came to me that every time I lose a dog, they take a piece of my
heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with
a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my
heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they
are.”–Cheryl Zuccaro
Thank you Karen! I look forward to reading that. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Hi Karen,
I hadn’t heard about what happened with Magic, and was wondering if you could direct a relatively-newcomer to the story, if you’ve blogged about it in the past.
We lost a beloved Aussie a couple years ago who became aggressive due to what we suspected was a neurological problem. It was one of the more sad and traumatic experiences of my life, and I still miss her. I’ve never blogged about it, because it’s just too personal and upsetting. I’m not sure if that is anything like what happened with your dog, but I was just curious.
I love the quote as a dog-hearted person too.
Hi Dori,
Reading between the lines, it sounds like your experience was similar to what happened to Magic. I’ve never really told his story on my blog for similar reasons. But I did write a book about him and Kiera and another deaf Aussie I had named Molly, called Dogs of Dreamtime: A Story About Second Chances and the Power of Love. That will tell you the whole story. I bet you will find a little of yourself in it…
In a nutshell, Magic developed an aggression disorder from undiagnosed Lyme disease that affected him neurologically with no other typical Lyme symptoms. I spent a year trying to rehabilitate him and get him help. By the time we found the true cause, it was too late to save him.
What a wonderful quote. It reminds me of my favorite dog quote…”I aspire to be all that my dog thinks I am.”
Maybe that’ll happen when all the components of my heart truly are all dog!
That is an amazing quote!! How very true it is.
Anything truly of any value in this life does not leave you unchanged.
Those of us with dogs know that all to well.
“Sunshine”
What a great quote!
Beautiful quote. Nice to think of it that way…that you gain of piece of their heart as well.
That is a very sweet quote and says it well. Thanks.
I hope it is true. Imagine how wonderful to have a heart that is all dog!