Nothing gets Luke more excited and happy than a new toy, or better yet, finding something in the house or yard unexpectedly. If he discovers it’s something I don’t want him to have, he quickly turns it into a game of keep away. My only recourse is to go get a bag of treats and do a tradeoff. He knows what “leave it” means, but he doesn’t think it applies when he’s having fun.
I think he digs around in the yard looking for buried treasure sometimes. He shows up running around with the strangest and most unlikely things (that was part of what precipitated our much needed yard cleanup). Not too long ago he got into the vegetable garden area where he is not supposed to go (he doesn’t know yet not to tromp all over the plants). The next thing I knew he came romping out of there with something in his mouth. I couldn’t tell what it was. I got the bag of treats to do a trade off and here is what I got:
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you might remember that our late beagle Kobi often wore Pawz dog boots and also little “slipper socks” (non-skid pet socks) to help him with traction in his hind legs. This is the second time Luke has found one of these socks in the yard since Kobi’s been gone. The socks were mostly for in the house, and the Pawz for walking, but if the yard was dry we would let him wear the socks outside. He often came back in without one or both. We would usually find them when cleaning up the poop in the yard, but apparently over the months he wore them we missed some.
It makes me a bit sad when Luke unearths these treasures, but it also brings a little smile to my face with fond remembrance of how cute Kobi looked in those socks. There’s another unusual thing about these. The ones Luke found in the yard aren’t the only ones lying around. I have a tote in my closet with grooming supplies and extra Pawz and socks, some used, some never used. That’s not so unusual, but there are others in other odd places; one in a drawer in my writing desk in the bedroom, another in a closet on a shelf, and a pair in the garage.
I don’t keep a lot of mementoes around. Dishes and things that were Kobi’s personally have been put away. There are some photos of course. This is one of my all time favorites of Kobi with my hubby and our Lab mix Maggie from a lot of years ago when we used to hike with the two of them:
We buried Kobi’s ashes in the memorial garden, because I simply couldn’t look at them every day. Some people can do that, but I just can’t….it keeps the grief too fresh for me and I can’t move on with daily reminders like that. But there is something about these little socks and Pawz that I can’t seem to put away. I haven’t moved any of the ones lying around from their various locations, even though there’s no reason to leave them there. They could be washed and put away in that tote with the other clean and unused ones.
Maybe one day I will finally pick them up, but if I do, I hope soon after that Luke will unearth another of these treasures from the yard and bring it to me.
I don’t comment much because I never know what to say. I really liked this post. Everyone has someone that they miss.
Thank you, Edie! Even if you don’t comment often, I know you’re here reading….because you always very nicely share on Twitter, which is also much appreciated.
Personally, I think it’s Kobi letting you know he is safe, happy and well and he misses you. That is how I think. 🙂
I love the way you think. 🙂
Oh I miss Kobi. 🙂 But it is kind of neat that Luke keeps finding mementos.
Thank you for saying that! It is neat….I need those reminders sometimes.
I so understand! I think that is so cool that you are reminded of Kobi with those little momentos. Very special!
Thank you so much for understanding, Lisa!!
So sweet – it is a little like Kobi coming back to say hi. I keep the ashes for Sally, Tino & Becca in my office, although I don’t look at the every day – I like having them here. This might be a little morbid, but I had my mom and dad’s ashes here too until just recently. My sister traveled back east to sprinkle them in our home town…and I kind of miss them.
No, I don’t think it’s morbid, I think it’s loving and sweet! Everyone is different….my siblings spend far more time visiting the cemetery where my parents are buried than I do. I just don’t get attached to the physical remains, I prefer to just feel their spirits. But I think I’m more unusual in that way.
Awww. That is so sweet. I keep the collars of all of my pets and they have always had Christmas ornaments. I hang every single ornament for every pet each year. We share Christmas together.♥
Oh yes, the Christmas ornaments! Years ago a friend gave me one for each Maggie and Kobi, and since then I have started getting one for every pet. The first year of taking them out is the toughest, but I love to have them on the tree as mementoes every year.
Luke has been wearing some of Kobi’s, and even Moses’, collars and that’s probably why he’s always “channeling” the two of them! 🙂
Awww, my heart hurts.
I love the idea of Kobi’s socks turning up as reminders.
Me too….on both thoughts. Thank you, Pamela, for caring.
Oh wow! That just shows that your pup is still with you, and around every day.
That is just beautiful. Sad of course, but beautiful.
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Thank you, Jenna! I love to think of it as a sign that he is still with us every day.
That is so sweet that he finds the socks. I wouldn’t be in a rush to put away the socks and pawz that are lying around. When you are ready you will put them away, but for now they should be there for you to see now and then.
I agree, Emma, and I think I’ll know when the time is right to put them away. I do just love the little reminders of him around, and they keep the memories alive too.
Wonderful the way you are brought little memories of such happy times.
Luke is really great for that….he does a lot of little things that Kobi used to do!
I know it’s hard to see these reminders but they are at least bitter sweet. I always tell people to remember those times you had and enjoy the present dog and make plenty of sweet memories with him. Some day you will look back and have them for comfort knowing you gave them all the best life a dog could ever have. I truly do everything I can every day to make all of my huskies know they have a wonderful life.
That is definitely the best thing to do, Jim, live each day to the fullest. All the sweet memories of Kobi remind me what a good life we did give him, and how we took extra care of him in his senior years.
That is a wonderful story. I think perhaps Luke is getting messages from Kobi to tell you Hi.
I think you’re right, Mary, and I’m so happy that Kobi is still thinking of us as much as we are of him!
We agree with Miss Caren. This is Kobi’s way of letting you know he’s okay. 🙂
Thank you so much!! It’s such a wonderful thing to think, isn’t it?
I just loved this. I think when Luke is finding things from Kobi, it’s Kobi’s way of communicating with you from beyond…he is letting you know that he is ok. (((hugs))))
Thank you, Caren, it really means a lot to me to think of it that way.
I soooo understand! For a l o n g time after my Kissy passed, I couldn’t bear to look at anything of hers, but as my heart healed (thanks to the arrival of Callie, and then Shadow), I was once again able to find her little toys without crying my eyes out. I eventually bagged it all up though and took it to the shelter for those poor doggies. Kissy’s spirit is always with me in some way — she’s my little guardian angel now. Funny, I called Shadow “Kissy” yesterday but I don’t remember why. My brain’s not keeping up with me lately. LOL.
I sure know how that is! And I know I’ve called Luke Kobi or even Moses recently too! Seeing the socks and Pawz lying around makes me sad, but as I said, I just can’t bring myself to put them away yet. I think it’s a way of feeling like Kobi is still here and close to me.
Awe he keeps coming back to you through Luke, those little socks are adorable and I would cry tears of joy if someone brought them back to me. He is always with you and will keep popping in to say hi and that it is ok! Hugs and have a great weekend.
Thank you, JoAnne, I hadn’t really thought of it that way but that is exactly how I would like to think of it. Luke was chasing grasshoppers recently too, which is something Kobi loved so much….and since Luke came in winter Kobi couldn’t have shown him that!