Sunday it was  time to pick up Matilda’s ashes. I dreaded this; it deepens the sadness for a time. A  friend  met me at the wonderful hospital (Blue Pearl or NYC Veterinary Specialists) where Matilda had been  treated. It is a  sensitive and amazing place. At the desk was a young woman who had helped me a lot with getting Matilda in and out of the minivan. She had just heard about Matilda, and offered a warm hug. I thanked her and reassured her that Matilda had gotten an extra nine months of life from Blue Pearl, and that she was happy and active until the time of her death.

She brought the ashes to me in the famous fancy green bag. This time there was a clay footprint of Matilda’s paw!  I was very pleased, because I had never gotten this for any of my past  four-legged companions.

“I see my old boy when I look into his eyes”.

My friend and I decided to go have a nice dinner.  As we were walking around my old neighborhood, I suddenly saw two greyhounds! It was Monkey and Turtle, two gorgeous brindle greys I’d met years ago. We all said hello, and their human remembered Matilda.   As I babbled on, he said, “You just have to take the time to grieve. No one can tell you how long it takes.” We all nodded. Then he added, as he looked into beautiful Turtle’s eyes, “I see my old boy when I look into his eyes”.