Oreo
One of the things that has been very important to me is including my first dog, Oreo, in my major life moments. When I moved away she stayed with my parents, but she was my first dog, my first baby, and will forever remain that way. She could not attend our wedding ceremony, here in MA, but when we held a party in Canada she was present. I got some fabulous photos of me in my wedding dress with her.
So as time ticked by when we were trying to get pregnant, it worried me. I wanted my child to get to meet her, to get photos with her, before she passed on. She’s not young anymore, and as the years passed with no pregnancy I really thought my chance was slipping away.
When I got pregnant she was still doing really well, and I was thrilled! Maybe time wasn’t too short, after all. We planned a trip after the baby was born, to finally get that picture. I was still nervous, though, nervous that something would happen to Oreo.
But instead my child died.
We actually went to visit last Christmas, but looking through the photos I realize I have none of me with Oreo… none with Devin with Oreo. It was a sad Christmas, saying goodbye to Tessa (the other dog), who was dying of cancer. I do have photos of Oreo, just none with me and her together. I didn’t realize time was so short. No one thought such a tragedy was right around the corner.
Oreo is still alive at over 13 years old, still doing well. I wonder if she will hold on long enough to see my next child. I don’t know if we will have another chance.
I live in fear of a phone call.
A week after her birth, June of 1995
Christmas, 1996
My high school graduation, 2000
1st anniversary party, summer 2006
Oreo seems like a beautiful girl. So sorry that you never got your photo. Animals are so very loyal and bring so much pleasure into our lives. :)
Oh, she’s lovely. There’s something about a border collie with a smile on her face.
It breaks my heart to know that I will lose my Maggie one day. But I remind myself, that she and Gabe will be with each other, until I come along.
What a beautiful dog! I hope she gets to meet your next child too!
What an awesome photo-journal of Oreo and you growing up together! You both look so cute and wholesome and Brady Bunch. You look like a teenager who would never predict that you’d suffer through losing a son, years into the future. Sometimes I look back at pictures of myself, back when I thought I was totally invincible to any sort of harm.
I believe in the bond and healing power of dogs, and I hope that you get to make lots more happy memories together.
Aww…what a sweet old girl. I have an 11-year old lab. She’s been there for me through everything, and she had a stroke in April. She’s fine now, but just going through that makes you realize that someday they won’t be there anymore. : (
Try to stay optimistic, tho. Herding dogs like that tend to live pretty long, right?
Kelly – yeah, they do have pretty long lifespans, 15 years isn’t uncommon at all and they can go longer. So I have hope for her!