Most days on the way to work I see a man. A man with two dogs. Ive seen him for the past 7 months now, since I started in my current job, come rain, snow or sun.
The man always looks happy, big smile on his face, usually talking (I presume to the dogs) and briskly walking along the side of the river.
Then, about 6 weeks ago something changed. 6 weeks ago, I saw a man with only 1 dog. I hoped the other was just having an off day, or something, but sadly, dog #2 has never reappeared. But still, the man walks briskly chatting away happily (to his dog).
Yesterday another sad change, which was again confirmed today. The man is now walking with no dogs.
Its only been two days, so Im still holding out hope that his dog is ok, but I fear not.
It got me to thinking today, about our own dogs (and cats). Our dogs are both 6, so still relatively young, but the cats on the other hand, are coming on 15/16 years old. All of them.
As much as they can be a pain at times, and I curse them every day without fail as they trip me over while im carrying their food bowl out, I just cant imagine life without the cats. Leah and I have had them since we first started living together. Both kids have had them in their entire lives.
I just cant imagine them not being there. Not tripping me over. I cant imagine a day where Eli doesnt open the back door to let them animals in, and then yell at them all for being in!
Perhaps its time we got some more cats. But then, you cant replace them. You cant just buy more, in the hope that as the older ones pass, the newer ones take their place.
So I have to face the fact, that one day in the (hopefully distant) future, I will have to imagine them not being there.
And though we dont walk the cats, I can already feel the hole they will leave by not being there.
Much like I imagine the man is feeling right now, walking alone by the river, looking a little less happy, and no longer talking as he walks.
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