Love Is All That Matters

Our beloved English Spring Spaniel, Cocoa, suddenly passed away this past week. Words can’t describe how painful this is. Losing a pet is devastating; being surprised by an illness with no signs or warnings is beyond heart breaking.    

Cocoa was the best dog, with the best temperament we’ve ever owned. We brought her home 6 and half years ago as a puppy. This is when we made the leap from being a one dog to a two-dog family. “What’s one more dog?”, I said to our young boys who convinced my wife a new puppy was absolutely the best decision for our family.

At the time we had a rescue lab/hound mix, Wrigley, who ran the house and kept us all in line. Wrigley wasn’t too sure about the new furry friend following her around and drinking from her water bowl. Despite their size difference, over time they grew to love each other and race around the backyard chasing squirrels, foxes, and deer. 

Wrigley taught Cocoa all the bad habits that big dogs discover. The importance of getting into the trash, how to lift the lid with your snout so you can shred paper products everywhere. The best spot in the kitchen to patiently wait for food to magically drop on the floor. When to go paws up on the countertop when no one was around to snarf down fruit, leftovers, anything that smelled delicious.

With a full stomach of dog food, people food, and an assortment of trash, the days would pass as they took turns jumping on the furniture with countless patrols outside in the yard. When they lost interest, it was a race upstairs to see who could mess up the boys’ beds first. This never happened when we were around, of course. The only evidence of their mischievous behavior was when we returned. Pillows scattered about with comforters hanging off the bed. 

Then one day, Wrigley quietly passed away next to the sofa she loved. It was heartbreaking. She just fell asleep after a big breakfast and suddenly, out of nowhere, we were a one-dog family again.

Our boys were getting older and didn’t understand what losing a pet was about. Trying to explain this while staying stoic was beyond challenging. My wife and I talked about dog heaven, looking through old pictures, and recounted stories to take the sting away.

Fortunately, we had Cocoa, and we channeled all our love and energy towards her. She reciprocated showering us with love, attention, and laughs, always with her short stubby tail wiggling with excitement. She had a presence in every room she entered, always the center of attention. We traveled with her to the beach, the lake, and the orchard to pick apples in the fall. Cocoa was part of our family. 

As Cocoa turned two years old, it was time for our family to rejoin the two dog owners club.  We brought home a liver-colored English Springer Spaniel and named her Maple. Maple’s a different dog, kind of high strung, but full of love and energy and very much still a puppy. Cocoa and Maple loved to stroll the neighbor on long walks, explore the woods, and race each other to the packages on the portico where the UPS guy would aways leave dog treats on top of the deliveries. 

Cocoa and Maple had a great four and half years together, causing mischief and keeping each other entertained. Leaping through the snow, rolling in the leaves, and staying cool in the shade of a hot summer’s day. They were inseparable. 

Then, suddenly out of nowhere, we became a one-dog family again. This hurts so deeply that words just can’t describe. It’s taken some time to write about Cocoa, all the memories and time we’ve spent together. Now we begin a new chapter and routine and are so glad Maple is with us. Though, cleaning one set of paws after wet cold excursions outside just doesn’t seem to be enough. It will take time to heal, it always does.

All pets, especially dogs for our family, are the glue that keep us together. It’s their unconditional love that they share that makes them part of our daily routine. They give so much to us and teach us about love. Reflecting through this experience, love is all that really matters.

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