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Karmen…R.I.P.
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

I’m late posting, but the drama’s done for the day.

This morning we buried little Karmen.

My daughter, who’s as much of a night owl as I am, called me over for a cup of Barry’s tea last night. We sat on the stoop and watched the little dog as she did her business. We lost sight of her in the shadows next to the fence. When we got up to call her back, I saw her in front of the gate at the driveway. As I headed back into the house for my shoes to chase after her, I heard a truck barreling down the road. It was midnight. I’m sure we woke the neighbors calling after our little dog who had never, ever approached the road before. My daughter checked around the house while I headed straight for the road with a flashlight, heart in my mouth. I saw a shadow. Hoped that was all it was. But the closer I got, I recognized her little bat ears (she was half French Bulldog, half chihuahua) and the pretty little purple sweater she wore. She lay on her side in the center of the road, her belly split. Entrails spilling out. I know. TMI. But I can’t get the sight out of my head. I wanted to spare my daughter, but she was right behind me as I kept saying, “No, no, no.”

I picked up the remains, grasping Karmen at the scruff of the neck. She’d died instantly. That much was a blessing. We placed her in a box until this morning. Then my father dug a grave. A very small grave.

Karmen was a rescue dog. She’d been found in a shed with two hundred other dogs, living in a small cage with a foot of feces pushed against the sides. She’d been in four rescue homes before she found my daughter who had the patience to potty train her. She was the happiest, sweetest dog. We’ll miss her. I don’t think either of us could feel more regret, more guilt. Nor can we stop crying.

13 comments to “Karmen…R.I.P.”

  1. Myla Jackson
    Comment
    1
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 12:30 pm · Link

    How very sad. That road out there is a killer.



  2. Skip Maslan
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    2
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 1:07 pm · Link

    So sorry to hear of your loss. It’s never easy to lose a pet. Especially one so loved. My heart goes out to you and your daughter.



  3. Delilah
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    3
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 1:20 pm · Link

    Sis, you know it. Can’t wait to see you tonight.

    Skip, thanks so much for your condolences. DD was hit especially hard.



  4. Lisa J
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    4
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 2:25 pm · Link

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It makes me tear up just thinking about it.



  5. Shoshanna Evers
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    5
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 2:55 pm · Link

    I’m so sorry for your loss, Delilah. I had an 8 month old puppy die last year after eating string from a rope toy which tore up his intestines. A slow, terrible death prolonged because we tried to save him with two surgeries. I know what you mean about not being able to get the image out of your head. 🙁 While I’m still not over the puppy’s death, a year later I’m able to remember him without crying. Sort of. Losing a pet is hard.



  6. Brandy W
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    6
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 3:25 pm · Link

    I’m so sorry Delilah.



  7. Susan R
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    7
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 3:31 pm · Link

    I am so sorry for your loss. ((((hugs))))



  8. Estella
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    8
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 3:52 pm · Link

    So sorry. It is so hard to lose a loved pet, especially at this time of year.



  9. MJ
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    9
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 7:55 pm · Link

    Oh, Delilah!!! I’m so so so sorry! Hugs!



  10. Aimee
    Comment
    10
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 10:12 pm · Link

    I am so sorry for your loss. Pets are like children to some and losing them is heartwrenching. {{{Hugs}}}



  11. savonna
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    11
    · December 23rd, 2010 at 10:53 pm · Link

    I’m so sorry for your loss, Delilah. I can’t imagine going through that type of trauma. My heart goes out to you and your daughter.



  12. Delilah
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    12
    · December 24th, 2010 at 5:56 am · Link

    Y’all are very sweet. Thanks for thoughts.



  13. Sue Brandes
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    13
    · December 25th, 2010 at 5:52 pm · Link

    I am sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Hugs.



Comments are closed.