On Long Sad Days:

Lady Long is no more.

It was hard these last few days as she got sicker and sicker with nothing we could do but try to keep her comfortable. She was 13 and a half years old.

Lady Long had been such a good little princess. No more then a little handful in size when she got here. She was also my willing worker, as she single handedly eliminated all snakes, small or large, that came anywhere near the house.

Her real name was Nelly Long-belly, a fitting name for a dachshund. And she was a dear friend of a dog. She had a good attitude, no matter what happened, all of her days.

But her time came to an end. She breathed her last and we laid her to rest close to her long time friend, our past dog Lady Short or Abby as she was known to us.

Sir Laidback keeps looking for his nighttime companion. And although they were never what you would say friends, as he is a blind loner and doesn’t do much of anything but sleep, they cohabited together nicely.

She loved our walks in the woods and going to the mailbox and back each day until she could no longer walk.

She liked to help out in the garden, although she was allergic to the pumpkin patch. She killed the garden varmints with abandon each year, proud of her accomplishments. And I never had to worry about any rodents that got into the house. She would have them taken care of in short order, usually before I was even aware that they had gotten in.

Lady Long was my evening cuddle buddy as I watched TV or read in bed. She loved our special time in the big bed each evening. I will miss that most of all.

Goodbye my dear little friend. You are missed.