In loving memory of Cheryl, I share with your our shared connection over our best, furry friends.
Before I met Cheryl, I met a short, stout gal named Daisy. I’m certain I was acquainted with Miss Daisy first, as the clat-clat-clat of that dog’s stubby little paws often went a’trotting before Cheryl’s every move. When Cheryl saw me with Daisy, her eyes would light up as she would dote on the four-legged friend who was more like a cherished confidante for Cheryl.
Likewise, upon Cheryl meeting me, she met a feisty gal named Yodi. Yodi likely bounded before me to pounce upon Cheryl before I could embarrassingly reign the little fireball in. Despite the punch of Yodi’s terrier gusto, I saw Cheryl there, happily smiling and speaking the dog whisperer language. I felt at ease knowing I met another one of my own blood... yep, dog people.
Every time I saw Cheryl, I would look for Daisy and welcome her big, dramatic, attention-seeking eyes, only encouraging her to be more of a lush. If Yodi was with me, Cheryl would whip up a gourmet meal for both pups to enjoy (served on a ceramic dish, no less).
Cheryl had a crafting table that was adorned with scrapbooking paper, stickers and embellishments. She created a card for me when I lost Yodi, and out of everything in the day I lost my best friend, it was Cheryl’s card that comforted me. I’m sure Daisy was at her feet the entire time she created that card. Cheryl understood the special connection that I had with my dog, because it was similar to hers and Daisy’s bond. Cheryl made the time to show love in her own way by creating, and that is something I will always remember.
Cheryl and I connected over the eye of the dog. The gaze of man’s best friend that grounds you back into the carefree afternoons of childhood, and at the same time, inspires you to move forward into the mornings that lay beyond. “Dogs ‘get’ you, it’s so funny to me that they don’t even have to say words and they can just know what you’re feeling, they’re just there for you always...it’s in their eyes”, Cheryl told me on more than one occasion. With a happy, resounding yes, I always agreed.
What a woman who, even amidst much, still held a happy, childlike love for a dog. Here’s to Cheryl and her bright heart that always shined next to Daisy.
“A dog will make eye contact. A cat will, too, but a cat’s eyes don’t even look entirely warm-blooded to me, whereas a dog’s eyes look human except less guarded. A dog will look at you as if to say, ‘What do you want me to do for you? I’ll do anything for you.’ Whether a dog can in fact, do anything for you if you don’t have sheep [I never have] is another matter. The dog is willing.” – Roy Blount Jr.