By MAMAMIA TEAM
Never have we been so struck by how someone articulates the unwavering companionship and love of a dog, as by Sarah Silverman’s obituary for her ‘Doug’.
Early last week, American Comedian and Actress Sarah Silverman wrote an obituary for her dog, and it is quite simply, heartbreaking.
There is nothing quite like that quiet understanding, that bouncing smile, that panting excitement, that tired cuddle, that skin-licking welcome and relentless love of a dog.
Here is what Sarah wrote in her Open Obituary:
Duck “Doug” Silverman came into my life about 14 years ago. He was picked up by the State running through South Central with no collar, tags or chip. Nobody claimed or adopted him so a no-kill shelter took him in.
That’s where I found him — at that shelter, in Van Nuys. Since then we have slept most every night together (and many lazy afternoons.) When we first met, the vet approximated his age at 5 ½ so I’d say he was about 19 as of yesterday, September 3, 2013.
Sarah SilvermanHe was a happy dog, though serene. And stoic. And he loved love. Over the past few years he became blind, deaf, and arthritic. But with a great vet, good meds, and a first rate seeing-eye person named me, he truly seemed comfortable.
Recently, however, he stopped eating or drinking. He was skin and bones and so weak. I couldn’t figure out this hunger strike. Duck had never been political before. And then, over the weekend, I knew. It was time to let him go.
My boyfriend Kyle flew in late last night and took the day off from work to be with us. We laid in bed and massaged his tiny body, as we love to do – hearing his little “I’m in heaven” breaths.
The doctor came and Kyle, my sister, Laura and I laid on the bed. I held him close – in our usual spoon position and stroked him.
I told him how loved he was, and thanked him for giving me such happiness and for his unwavering companionship and love. The doctor gave him a shot and he fell asleep, and then another that was basically an overdose of sleeping meds.
I held him and kissed him and whispered to him well passed his passing. I picked him up and his body was limp – you don’t think about the head – it just falls. I held him so tight. And then finally, when his body lost its heat, and I could sense the doctor thinking about the imminent rush hour traffic, I handed him over.
14 years.
My longest relationship.
My only experience of maternal love.
My constant companion.
My best friend.
Duck.
Have you ever lost a dog?
Top Comments
My little family have lost three beloved dogs Zac, Kirra, Jed and our cat Catty recently. But for myself Zac was the hardest. He had been the runt of the litter and come from a shearing town where he would have been knocked on the head. He was rotty/dobby cross and I loved him from the moment we met. He grew, and grew, and grew to a very BIG lovable dopey sweetheart and he travelled with me from Dunedin (South Island NZ) to Adelaide, Brisbane and eventually Perth WA over a span of 16 years. He was there when my previous relationship finished and there through the current relationship and two of three children. He was my constant companion for a longtime till he passed in my arms. I will miss him forever.
I still read Malcolm Turnbull's eulogy for his dog, Mellie. It made me see him in a new light:
http://www.malcolmturnbull....