It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done to say good-bye to Chelsea; she was my best friend for 13 years & was almost 20 years old when she died….a wonderful, loving, devoted, & happy companion. We went through good & bad times together. When my husband was terminally ill, Chelsea wouldn’t leave his side. She insisted on being his protector & guardian, staying at his side near or under his wheelchair. I was always panicked that she would get run over with the electric wheelchair, but she managed to avoid that disaster. Of course, being offered a piece of bacon every morning probably was an extra enticement to staying close by!
Chelsea was the smartest, most sensitive, sophisticated dog in the world. We called her “princess,” because she was so delicate, dainty, & regal. She would paw her favorite blanket forever to pile it up in the highest, most comfy bed. She adored going with us on trips, & we’d have to drive around for blocks, looking for a park or other place with green grass for her to do her “thing.” Far be it for a princess to go potty on gravel or weeds!!
My fondest memory was when we’d come home, & she’d go into orbit, doing a dance going round & round & round, with tail wagging like crazy. She even taught her younger brother to mimic her! Her favorite thing was taking walks, which she enjoyed until the day she died. She would get so excited, we could hardly get her harness on, with her dancing/prancing a mile a minute!
She was the neighborhood “squirrel patrol extraordinaire!” She would spend hours peering out from under her doggy door, just daring any squirrel to come in our yard. If they challenged her, she’d lay chase & run back & forth next to the fence, proving her superiority over those pesky critters!! How dare they come in HER YARD!! I was always glad she never caught one, because I’m not sure who would have won!
My heart is so sad that she is gone, & the house seems lonely & empty without her. But a poem by Jan Cooper reads: “But an Angel just appeared to me, And he said, ‘You should cry no more, GOD also loves our canine friends, He’s installed a ‘doggy-door”! I’m sure Chelsea found that doggy door & is continuing her legacy of devotion, love, joyful play, & being the best friend anyone could ask for. So I thank God for the gift of her companionship & unconditional love & for the wonderful, happy years we’ve had together. I love you with all my heart, Chelsea, I miss you, & I look forward to seeing you again over the Rainbow Bridge, where I know you’ll do your cute little dance of happy greeting.
Joyce DeVaney