Friday, December 30, 2011

Kelly , the hover dog .




Another good night for Wilf followed by an early start to the day. '' The font " and family head off at the crack of dawn to see granny font. Getting them out of the house in time to catch the first flight of the morning a process not dissimilar to herding cats .

Our walk to the fire hydrant a little later than usual . Wilf has just turned for home when the old widow, blue house coat unbuttoned , runs out of her front door . '' M'Ongoose ! Come Quickly ! ". Kelly was restless and off form last night and this morning she can't be roused . The elderly neighbour buries her head in my chest. If you had ever doubted the bond between human and dog then look no further than these unselfconcious tears. I guide her back in from the lane hoping that she's wrong and that Kelly is merely asleep.

Back before lunch with a spade. The old widow wants Kelly's final resting place to be outside the kitchen window - ' where I can see her '. We settle on a spot in the gentle shade of a walnut tree. There , buttoned up Calvinist and tearful ninety year old say farewell. The sun bursts through the clouds. There's a natural justice in that. Natures tribute to the little things. Afterwards we have a glass of wine . A vin d'honneur. Another faithful dog asleep on the ridge overlooking the valley. Another day in a village in France Profonde.

Wilf gets an extra hair tousle before bed.

39 comments:

  1. Oh no, i'm so sorry for the lady, this must be so hard. Tell her she has all my sympathy, will you?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Our hearts go out to the old widow. Would she understand if you told her about how many people all around the world knew and enjoyed reading about her beloved Kelly?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Our sympathy....we know what losing a loved friend means.

    Glad Wilf had a good night and enjoyable day. Will you be cooking while everyone is gone?

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ohhh No poor lady, it is never easy at any time but somehow this time of year does make it harder. She has my sympathies.

    Run Free Kelly

    Love
    Momma Tea
    x x x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sleep sweet, Kelly Hover Dog x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Angus, this is heart-breaking! In your writing about Kelly, I had thought that she was a very young, spirited girl with so much life and vibrancy, especially since she was just off causing mischief a few days ago--I so hope she had a good, long life, and not one that was much too short...Regardless, as we may be lighting our own candle, we will light one for Kelly as she journeys to the Rainbow Bridge.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, sweet little Kelly, i had to read your post two times for being sure that i understood what happened to her. I didn't know her, but i can't stop crying since i read your post.
    She seems to be so happy, so in love with Wilfee.
    Rest in peace lovely Kelly. Please Angus, say to the old lady that someone in Brittany share her distress.
    More, more, more bisous to my beloved Wilfee.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am sad to read of Kelly's passing. The poor widow, my thoughts are with her and her beloved dog.

    Please give a hug to WILF for me!

    Susan
    Boston,USA

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sweet Kelly, that was very sad reading.

    Thank goodness you were there to help Kelly's owner in such a practical and understanding way.

    x (for Wilf!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Kelly, run free over the rainbow bridge. And may your poor neighbour come to peace with her loss. Extra kisses to Wilf :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. So sad to hear about Kelly, my Kelly and I hope "the widow" will be OK without her sidekick. Keep going Wilf, you family is enjoying every minute with you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such sad news to read this morning, RIP sweet Kelly. I will be keeping Kelly's owner in my thoughts and prayers today. Thank you for helping her get through a difficult day.
    Hugs for Wilf.

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle, Maggie Mae and Max

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, I hope Kelly is hovering excitedly around Digby right now and he's showing her how to biff the swing. Such sad, unexpected news. Sending prayers of comfort to the widow from across the Atlantic. Yes, please do let her know that Kelly was loved around the globe. And dearest Wilfie, keep on keeping on!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Please tell the grieving woman that tears were shed here in south Florida too!

    Joan and the Barkiesy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sad news about Kelly. I'll miss her appearances in Wilf's Story. We send the widow our sympathy. Jigs and mlou

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tears are being shed in Michigan for Kelly. Thank you for being with the widow in her time of need.

    Many hugs and kisses to Wilf!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kelly, we will miss you. Say hello to Digby & the rest of the gang welcoming you at the Bridge for us.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Grief and tears here too for Kelly and sending condolences to the grieving widow for her painful loss. Hope Kelly finds good friends while she is running and hovering in peaceful eternity. RIP dear Kelly. ..DBH

    ReplyDelete
  19. writing this through tears.
    when a beloved dog dies it is a sword through one's heart. thank goodness you were there when she needed you so much. a little ninety year old widow trying to dig a grave for her wee dog... just too much.
    dear clavinist that you claim to be... i think your buttons have much loosened in the beautiful france profonde
    love and with a most special hug to darling wilf,
    tammy j

    ReplyDelete
  20. So now we know why Kelly disappeared for a bit the other day. Please give the grieving widow our condolences(from Seattle) regarding her loss. Thank you for helping her during this rough time.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh, Angus.
    I know you were a comfort to her.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Her calling on you for help and letting herself weep on your shoulder says a lot about you, Angus :). Godspeed, Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh no, no! This is sad news. Poor Kelly, I wonder what happened to her? I am sure the widow's heart is heavy and sadness is only just starting. Poor dear! Please give Wilf a great big cuddle and a hair tousle from us across the vast pond. Keep on going Wilf!!

    With love from your Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

    ReplyDelete
  24. oh...so many friends being lost at the moment...how wonderful that the widow had you to call on in her time need..sending hugs..x

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm so sad to hear about Kelly! Please send the widow our condolences. Did she get into something during her little escape, I wonder? Poor girl! I know she was very loved!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh to be so alone at 90. You are a kind friend.

    ReplyDelete
  27. How kind of you, Angus, to dig Kelly's final resting place.

    I can understand the old lady's gratitude for your helping her through this.

    Happy New Year to all,

    Stella the dog, Jo, and Zkhat

    ReplyDelete
  28. While I read todays post I am crying - I wish to have a gentleman living next door the day my final farewell to my loved dog happens... There is a Russian Saying and I would like to dedicate it to Ongoose : You have a heart that weighs 80 kilos...
    Tickle and bacetti for the most gorgeous Wilf from Susanne, Daisy (gently rediscorvering her maternal instincts) - Foxxie a nearly perfect adoptive father and Kyril - the turbotigerpuppy

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm so sorry! This post brought tears to my eyes. I'm going to light a candle for Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh darling boy We want you to tell the woman next door that we are sending her lots of love and hugs And we wish you and all your family a happy new year filled with glorious days, treats and tummy rubs and love A million bisous A+A

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dog people know and understand how much dog people can love their dog. There is a special love between a dog and it's familiy that is timeless.

    RIP sweet Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
  32. We are deeply saddened to hear of Kelly's sudden passing. Our hearts go out to her grieving owner.
    You are a very special person, Angus. May God shower you with blessings for all of the kindness you bring to this world. Each of us strive each day to make the world a better place. You have succeeded.
    We think that when you found your village, you found your real home.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Very sad news. At least Kelly didn't have to outlive the widow too. It must be very hard for the poor woman and you too. I hate these reminders that our furry friends do not live long enough lives for those of us who treasure them.

    ReplyDelete
  34. RIP, Kelly. May the widow find a stray in need of a loving home, just to have another heartbeat in the house.

    Jed & Abby

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh no. So sad, especially for the solitary widow. My heart aches for her.

    Please give Wilf an extra pat from me too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Just now seeing this terribly sad news on Kelly's passing on the cusp of the new year! I am sick at heart for the Widow and so thankful that you were able to be there for her at such a difficult time. I will miss hearing of Kelly's shenanigans but know that she is in wonderful company having crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in peace, dear Kelly. I am keeping that poor lady in my prayers, as hers will be an even lonelier home going forward. So very, very sad.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Many tears are being shed in Texas as well. It is such a shock to lose Kelly so suddenly! I am so thankful that you were there when she needed someone to help. Please tell the widow that she is in our prayers.

    Rosie and the Hooligans
    Houston, TX

    ReplyDelete