Ellie

This was Ellie, a six-year old, mini Golden Doodle, and cherished member of her family. She was loving and cuddly, curious and playful and trusting, a source of bouncy joy for everyone who met her, including me. Ten days ago, Ellie died. Her next-door neighbor’s dog attacked her, and killed her.

As anyone who has ever had to part with a beloved pet knows, the loss is heartbreaking, and Ellie’s family, as well as all her friends, including me, are absolutely heartbroken. There is now an absence, and silence. But for Ellie’s family, there is more. There is confusion, lots of questions and speculation. What if. And why. But these are the 20/20 questions of trauma and grief. For my part, I am posting this memorial not only to honor an adorable pup, but to ask that anyone with potentially dangerous dogs to please muzzle them before going outside.

I’ve been stunned by the frequency of these incidents, historically aggressive dogs attacking people and killing other animals. If you don’t know how you dog will react to people and animals, if your dog has shown any aggression at all to others, and especially if your dog has overpowered your control on a leash and attacked a person or another animal, please, take effective precaution.

There but for the grace of God go all of us at some point. And the gentlest of dogs can surprise us. I’m just offering this tragedy as a warning, trying to give Ellie’s death some meaning. Muzzle your dog before he goes outside.

As for Ellie’s family, they are choosing to concentrate on her happy life, her love of swimming in the lake, walking in the park, following her family members from room to room and cuddling against them wherever they stopped. Rest in peace, Ellie, our sweet little joyous ball of fur. Your light and love are forever in our hearts.