REGGIE

I first met Reggie, a Dalmatian/collie mix dog, about two years ago when her master, “Angie”, came onto hospice. Angie suffered from lung cancer and over the course of those two years, had a very slow decline. Angie lived with her partner “Sarah”. The two had been a couple for almost forty years.

Reggie would always greet me at the front door with excitement. She would bounce around, her tail briskly wagging wanting to nuzzle you. Reggie would then run to the living room where Angie was sitting in her recliner.

With each visit, she would greet me with the same enthusiasm and joy. Once we all sat down, Reggie would go and lie near Angie. Toward the end of Angie’s life, she spent her days in a hospital bed in the living room. Reggie would lie as close as she could to the bed to be near Angie.

A few weeks ago, Reggie was diagnosed with pancreatitis. The initial treatment seemed to work, but Reggie continued to decline. The vet kept Reggie at the animal hospital for a few days only to inform Sarah that there was nothing that could be done. During this time, Angie had stopped eating and spent her days asleep. Sarah did not tell Angie about Reggie.

One Monday morning, Sarah had two friends stay with Angie while she drove to the hospital. Sarah was at Reggie’s side when she died. Sarah is grieving the loss of a lifetime partner with the added grief of her faithful friend. It gives Sarah comfort knowing that somehow Angie must have known that Reggie was waiting for her. She sees them together side by side and, with a few tears, can bring herself to smile.

REGGIE

　
I loved that dog Reggie.
Part Dalmatian, part collie.
One hazel eye, the other pearl.
She was the cutest thing.

Reggie was the first to the door
whenever she heard a knock.
Tail wagging, nuzzling you.
One could almost see her smile.

Reggie would lie by her master.
She was faithful to the core.
Somehow she seemed to know
her master’s time was short.

Reggie got sick quite suddenly.
There was nothing the vet could do.
Her master didn’t know,
but it was time to let her go.

Reggie’s life ended one early afternoon
while her master was in a deep sleep.
Simultaneously, her master awoke and reached up.
“Reggie, Reggie” coming from her lips.

Reggie must have been waiting for her.
She must have known her pup was there.
As three hours later, she too, let go.
Reggie and her
       again
              side by side.