In Deacons Wake

In Deacon’s Wake

The loss of your best friend (doggy types) is a different kind of hurt than losing a loved one. I have written chapters on the latter — but never the former, because I had not really experienced it.

My sweet baby boy Deacon was so integral to this farm… just like Miss Cathy. He will be so missed.

The day I said goodbye — I did not know that would be the day. He had had a bad week — losing blood, sick, weak…. He still managed to wag his tail and give me kisses — but I knew it was close.

My #1 thought was not to hold onto him — but to make sure he did not suffer.

It was Friday, and I took him to the vet to see if there was anything else we could do about his pain.

The vet took one look and said — there is nothing we can do for him — maybe a ketamine painkiller shot — but that only buys you a little more time.

That moment was so heavy on my heart — the realization that I was going to lose my best buddy — a dog who helped me transition out of the Army, a dog who helped, in his own way, build Land Basket Farm, a dog who had stood by my side before, during, and after Miss Cathy’s death… a dog who loved me unconditionally every hour of his life.

…Hours prior, I had him in the sun on the back porch. I brought him some water and leaned in to kiss him on his head, and he whimpered ever so slightly. I think he was ready — or at least that is the narrative we humans write in our heads in times like these.

Sweet Deacon……….. the fabric of this farm was woven into that dog — there is no operation he did not impact.

Yeah — there is a part of our hearts that remains uncommitted to other humans and is held in reserve for our closest furry friends……… It’s a different kind of hurt to lose that kind of friend........ a friend who loved you unconditionally — every hour of their life.

I love you, my sweet baby boy. I will miss you so very much.