Sophie sleeps a lot now.
Sometimes she sleeps in the garden.
Sometimes she positions herself by the French doors so that her head is outside and her rump inside.
There is much staring into the distance.
And much standing waiting for doors to open.
She's given up on stairs .
Four or five times a day (the timing is random ) she has a walk. This morning at sunrise we head down to the walled garden by the cathedral. Here she wanders, off the lead, on the soft grass. There have been foxes in the garden. This puts a spring in her step.
Her walks are short in distance but lengthy in duration. Laughter and encouragement mark her path. Sometimes we get to the front door, stand on the pavement and then head back inside. Sometimes she has a destination in mind. Sometimes she doesn't.
Invisible things are barked at. This surprises her as much as it surprises us.
Loud noises alarm.
Another poem has gone up on the wall of the library portico. Sophie stops, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun, while I read it.
So starts another day of gentle drifting. Salmon and rice for breakfast . They're ignored this morning but we'll try again later. Tomorrow more of the same ? Maybe.
33 comments:
I desire to know everything that is going on in Sophie life and it is a blessing that I see her in different locations checking things out. Keep on going Miss beautiful Sophie. Stay strong and enjoy your wonderful meals that are fixed with love for you. Love you 🙏🏻💕❤️🙏🏻
Bless you for sharing her final days with us.
Belle journée à toi adorable Sophie. Profites encore un peu des lieux que tu aimes et de ceux qui veillent sur toi.
Nous sommes tous auprès de vous par la pensée Angus and the Font.
Amitiés de France,
Véronique
Strong positive thoughts flying from southern Europe to Sophie and her humans. Pets are our children, we love and ache for them as parents. Wish you another beautiful day💓
Somehow I am reminded of a historical reference:
“The King’s life is moving peacefully towards its close".
Sophie is so blessed to have you.
So glad that the sun is there to shine on Sophie's last days.
Goodness ! That poem is so beautiful and so right for Miss Sophie. If only I knew then what I still don't know.
Thank you for sharing these special moments. XX
A rich, full life winding down. Gentle moments still enjoyed. No hospitals, no tubes, no drains just walks by the sea, visiting favourite spots and having family near. What we’d all like but seldom get.
Having been offline for two weeks, I come back to so much sorrow. Your brother and now Sophie. Your whole household is in our thoughts.
I just listened to a lovely podcast about the children's book, "Goodnight Moon," and, reading through two weeks of blog posts in one sitting I realize that your récit of trips to the café, walks along the beach, encounters with passersby and your companion's outrage at various birds and unlimited gourmandise have the same kind of rhythm as the classic book. The author, Margaret Wise Brown, based it on her own finding-sleep ritual of expressing gratitude for the things around her. Your posts often contain a measure of impishness which keep it all from being twee but the gratitude remains palpable.
May Sophie enjoy what's left to the fullest.
She's still enjoying life, bless her, and the sun is a benison.
Hari OM
Sophie is living the very best possible life here at its closing... Thank you, Angus, for permitting us into what is surely such a personal time. YAM xx
These gentle days are some of Sophie's best days, filled with so much love.
I'm glad Sophie continues to enjoy life and hope that, in the end, she falls asleep and doesn't wake up. A gentle end for her though difficult for Angus and the Font. I hope the caring of Sophie's is some comfort.
Loving and heartbreaking.
What you're doing for her now, will be a comfort later.
My heart goes out to you and the Font. Thank you for sharing your life with the world.
Sophie is so blessed to have you and the Font. A beautiful life for a beautiful girl.
How difficult it must be to write of her beautiful, extraordinary, very ordinary days! I am so thankful for the chance to be along for the normalcy of rump in-rump out naps, even as it breaks my heart. Thank you for that rare opportunity. I wish for peace for the three of you, as together you gaze off into the distance. I see Bob out there, and Wilf, and they beckon to Sophie, even as we hold onto her with a ferocity that surprises. How greatly she has returned the love you have given her throughout her days. How greatly she has enriched all our days! All will be well...
But it's not easy.
Leslie Piper
What a sweet picture is painted by the phrase "gentle days" and your commentary. Tears here.
Hugs!
Angus, no dog or human could wish for more than the love you and Sophie are sharing as these gentle days drift by.
So many beautiful words have been expressed that now I find it difficult to say anything more poignant or expressive.
Peace to all three of you during these difficult days.
JoAnn in Maryland
Another peaceful day Sophie, filled with love, support and yummies. Oh, how I wish the sweet vet from France that quoted Beckett could be there for Sophie’s ending, out on the grass in the sun with infinite kindness. But as someone said above, the best would be just drifting off in her sleep. I’m with you in spirit little girl. ❤️
Wondering in soft grass, naps in the garden, warm sunshine. Salmon to be enjoyed or ignored. Tears.
Angus, thank you for sharing her days with us. I know it must be difficult to write about the coming end of this life of your beloved companion, and yet you do it with eloquence and grace.
There is such comfort in seeing her head out rump in sleeping pose. It’s almost as if she’s been transported back in time to France.
Normally, I check your blog early in the morning. I just couldn’t do it this morning. I was too afraid of the news you would impart. My big relief in finding Sophie enjoyed another morning. Sophie appears quiet and contemplative in these photos. One cannot help but wonder what she is thinking. How lucky she is to enjoy these last days lovingly and peacefully with you both.
Checking in on you three, hoping your day is peaceful. XXX
For the last couple of months, during my lunch time at work, I have been going to a nearby cafe and having lunch and reading a book and taking a moment or two to read blogs like yours. It occurred to me yesterday as I was eating my lunch, that this journey with Sophie is like a book that I do not want to end. And, I know that no one wishes that more than you and 'the Font.'
Todays photos brought back fond memories of Sophie at TROF in France. Sleeping in the early morning sun. Positioning herself at the front door with her rump inside and her head outside. Standing on the green grass in your lovely garden look around. And always standing at the closed front door willing it to open. Sending you heartfelt thoughts and hugs during these difficult days. Sophie is adored world wide. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Many warm thoughts to you and the Font from Africa. Thank you for the privilege of sharing dear Sophie with us.
What a wonderful poem. And thank you for allowing Sophie to follow her own pace, so gently.
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