Soleil

Here we are telling ourselves that time will soothe our pain but sometimes we wonder. Our beloved Soleil was born December 2, 1996. Our first Soleil also a Golden Retriever had just died. Our daughter researched and found a wonderful breeder in New Milford CT., so our second Soleil came into our lives. What a beautiful bundle of Gold fur. She was 8 weeks old. It was a bitter cold and windy January day. My husband put her in his coat pocket and home we went. She always had a smile on that beautiful face. Everybody that came into our home was greeted by Soleil with one of her toys in her mouth. Our old Cocker Spaniel (Lars), Senior member of the Cassidy household was not impressed by her zest for life, games and her lack of respect for him. Eventually Lars decided that if somebody was going to teach this fresh puppy about life he better make peace with her. For Soleil life was a constant game. She would chase our two old cats until they realized that she just wanted to play with them. After a while they ignored her and continued on their way.

Soleil would chase the squirrels, a butterfly, a moth, blow into a dry dandelion. Anything she thought would be fun. She would steal food from our grandchildren and also their toys. she would not damage any toys or our slippers, just take them and tuck them underneath her and go to sleep. In the morning when I got up one of my slippers was always missing and sure enough there was Soleil with a smile on her face and that mischievous look in her eyes almost like saying, "I bet you don't know who took your slipper." My husband was Soleil's teacher and playpartner. They would go outdoors at least eight times a day. What a delightful sight. My husband, Lars, our beautiful golden Soleil and our two cats. January 6, 2003 after 4:00pm Soleil didn't act her usual perky self. Dinnertime (her favorite) she didn't want to eat. Early evening we took her to an emergency Veterinary Clinic on advice from our regular Vet. She never made it. It was as if she took part of our hearts with her. Such pain that words can not describe. So young and full of life.

Now every morning I wake up to find two slippers by my bed and the sight of my husband taking Lars for a walk minus a beautiful, smiling golden retriever. Our lives have been blessed for having Soleil for 6 years.