Missing Natasha
I was a somewhat troubled teenager who rarely listened to my parents, and as a result I had a lot of sad, sleepless nights in high school. Despite my constant troublemaking, my parents were kind enough to let me have a dog. She was a very good friend during the angst filled days of my youth.
Her favorite snack was popcorn. If I left a bag of freshly microwaved popcorn on my bed during a movie bathroom break, I’d come back to find it stuck on her head.
From the first night that we brought her home she slept in my bed, and years later when I visited from college she still slept in my bed. This was difficult, since it was a twin size and we both weighed 100+ pounds, but we made it work.
When she was a puppy she fought with her reflection in the mirror, and I thought this was so funny I’d nearly pee myself laughing every time. As she got older she pretty much just wanted to take naps and eat snacks, which made us a perfect match.
Tonight she died of cancer we didn’t know she had. It had spread to all her major organs, and into her bones. My parents and brother held her and told her they loved her while she died. I wish I could’ve been there.
This is the second recent death in my small circle of people I’m close to, and though the first loss was much more significant, this just adds to the growing sense that life is so painfully short. I feel much older now that my puppy, who it seems I was just playing with yesterday, is gone. She’ll be very missed.
Natasha, left, with her brother Jack. This was taken last month, the last time I saw her.
I’m so sorry about Natasha! I lost my grey-faced Golden Retriever from childhood a few years ago. Actually, from a similarly quick-moving and all over cancer. I miss her often and feel so lucky to have had such a good dogfriend. (crap. now I’m crying.)
Natasha sounds like a charmer and I’m sorry you have to miss her now. It is a sad sad thing that “Nothing Gold Can Stay”.
Those are some beautiful Golden Retrievers. I got my first Golden, Tok, when I was in 6th grade. He died of cancer a few years later–way too early. I was upset for a long time that he died so young.
Tok was “my dog” even though I have three sisters. When we first got him I slept right next to him downstairs for the first few nights. He would yelp if I wasn’t there.
The death of a pet always makes you realize how quickly time has passed. It never really seems like it was that long ago when there was a new kitten or puppy being introduced into the family and then boom! - it’s many years later.
The older of two dogs that live at my parents house passed away a little over a year ago (so, she was my teenage years dog as well). In this case, there was a fair bit of warning that she would pass away soon, so it helped knowing that, but I mostly coped knowing she lead a very good life and was a happy dog right ’til the end. Sounds like your dog had a great life as well.
It’s strange, really, how much we can grow attached to these little furry presences around the house, but they really do become a part of our world. I’m very sorry to hear about Natasha; she and her brother both look like beautiful dogs.
I’m sorry about your loss. I’ve had to say goodbye to a few pets but none of them I’ve known as long as you have known Natasha. No matter the length of time one has a pet, it is still really sad to see one go. I know how you feel!
“I’d come back to find it stuck on her head.”
You just made my day Megan.
I’m sorry for your loss. As Ben Williams once said, there is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
Very sorry for your losses. I had 3 golden retrievers growing up (in serial, not parallel), and lost a close human friend this summer. It’s never easy, so please take care of yourself.
I am so sorry, Meagan. I wish we could have done more. I hope your 2010 brings a better year. We are so proud of you.
Dear Meagan,
I’m so sorry.
Tasha was very special.
Love,
Aunt Marsha
I’m so sorry for your loss. My dog Holly, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, is getting old, she is 13, and each time I see her I wonder how much longer will she be around.
Believe it or not cancer is common in Golden Retrievers.
My boyfriend’s family has had three Goldens, Luke, Maverick, and Monty. Luke and Maverick both had cancer.
But it sounds like Natasha had a wonderful family, and lived a wonderful life.
Hi Meagan,
I’m not a regular commenter but want to share my sympathy… I’m afraid my turn to go through this is coming very soon. My family has had a lot of cats growing up, and several have passed away over the years (three of them were 17 years old!), but my closest friend, Niki, is still here with me–we first met when I was 13, 12 years ago.
A few months back, she got cancer, too, but luckily it was only in one leg and we were able to save her by amputating. I have a feeling this isn’t the last we’ll see of that disease, though… I can only hope that the next time is years away.
Best,
Brandy
There is something about the smile of a Golden Retriever that makes the world go round. They are the most sensitive, compassionate, patient, and kind-hearted of dogs. I’ve had many pups, both purebred and mutts, but none of them can replace the way a golden will simply lay at your feet and sigh contently. Mine was 13 years old when she passed and that was six years ago. The sun still isn’t as bright as it used to be. Goldens help it shine, I think.
Natasha is beautiful. She always will be.