~Suzy and Kate
This picture of Molly was when she was 14 years old.
Molly, the "extra sister" in the Hines family, was put to sleep today. She lived a good and long life. She blessed my family's life for 17 years. As this summer grew and time passed us by, we knew that Molly would not be here to bless us for an 18th year. Molly was getting old and her arthritis was starting to become too much for her. She had lost most of her sight and hearing but still had an excellent sense of smell. This Sunday when Chris and I were over at my parent's house, we witnessed Molly in the kitchen whining and begging for some corn-on-the-cob (her favorite people food). (Dad gave her a few bites from one of his almost finished ears of corn.)
No one wanted to put her down, but time wasn't acting as nicely to Molly as it had in the past. It was getting harder and harder for her to walk and get up and meet people. She had to be let outside all the time and occasionally, my parents would still find a "present" in the house from her.
I honestly believed that Molly sensed a time of change. Even in her "younger" years (13, 14, 15...) one day Molly would act like she was at death's door and the next she'd act like she was 5 again. But I had moved out of the house, Jessic will be leaving this fall to start college in Akron and will be living in the dorms, and Anna, although she did move back, I don't believe will be home for long. All of her girls were moving away. And although I'm sure she would have enjoyed some alone time with mom and dad, I believe that she sensed the changes/moves coming about and saw that her purpose had been accomplished.
Molly really, truely was our other sister. Whenever one of us sisters would be away and we'd call home, the first question out of our mouths would be "How's Molly? What's she been up to? Does she miss me/us?" She helped Jessica (and other visitors) overcome her (their) fear of dogs, in a kind, loving way. Even people who weren't huge dog fans would walk away from our house in love with Molly. She's been with us through out the majority of our moves and travels. She was our stuffed animal at night (although she always had a knack for kicking me off my daybed and hogging all the blankets ), our playmate during the day, and our best friend and confidant when we needed someone to listen and comfort us. She will be loved and missed. Below is an email that my mom sent out to some of our family and friends this morning.
Thanks for "listening".
~b
Dear Friends,
Well, it was time, but that really doesn't make anything easier. Our dear friend and canine pal, Molly, went to the vet for the very last time today. We are going to miss her. You don't have someone as part of your family for nearly 17 years and just let her go without shedding a few buckets full of tears. The family will survive, we know. She was "just a critter," after all. But, we have lost a good dog and we will mourn her passing, even though we have lots of good memories. Thanks for sharing this with us....
Love, Julie
