Last Ride

Our family gathered together this afternoon to bring Marley to the vet's where he was euthanized. Marley got to enjoy a sort of double treat: He was able to come with us on a car ride (and in the Durango which is his favorite vehicle on account of all the room) while riding in his chair that has graced the living rooms of our past two homes solely for his benefit and use.

 

Elena, at 5, was sad and cried and felt things to a significant degree. Keaton, though, is torn up over this. He and Marley were just beginning to really get on as buddies - something Larissa and I had hoped for all along and had been frustrated by Marley's seeming lack of interest. Marley has always been devoted to me, oftentimes ignoring the kids when they were trying to be nice to him. I think Keaton was finally old enough to be able to understand how to get through to Marley and Marley responded with affection. Both children are sensitive, but Keaton really internalizes things and never fully lets go. While Elena wanted a new dog right away, Keaton wanted Marley. Definitely some developmental differences in play, but definitely some personality differences, too.

 

We're crushed with Marley's passing. There will always be the mixture of fond memories and a sense of loss when we think of him. Our home has a peculiar emptiness to it now, an emptiness that will be felt for months to come as we adjust to life without Marley. While what we are experiencing is nothing new, it's also difficult as all of Marley's life was intertwined with these beginning years of our blossoming family. It's not solely Marley when I think of a time or see a picture - it's Larissa or Keaton or Elena, too. That makes it particularly hard for me.

Done