Sunday, May 8, 2011

Population of Pleasure Palace and Pet Hospice Down to One



Layla the dog left this world today after two hours of lying in her bed and soaking up love love  love. It was often said that Layla could never get enough petting, and we sometimes joked that a petting marathon should be scheduled to see if she could be sated before being petted bald. The man who loves me and I did our best to honor that loving neediness of hers in her last hours. Sometimes known as “Love Sponge,” the love Layla gave actually exceeded the love she took. She made friends easily and endeared herself to anyone who became a regular visitor.
In her earlier years in the Clemen/Emanuel household, Layla seemed to be a dog with no middle ground. A three-mile walk was often followed by an afternoon on the couch. She did not enjoy toys, was afraid of balls and Frisbees, and professed little interest in bones. But give her a person to hang out with and there would inevitably be a conversation about love. Before becoming the minister of love in her adopted household, Layla, along with Lola, lived for a time on the streets of downtown Los Angeles before being rescued by Thumping Tails. It may have been her time on the streets that sensitized Layla to suffering. Easily startled and somewhat anxious, Layla was particularly upset by crying. On more than one occasion she mercilessly mauled a box of Kleenex, most likely blaming it for the tears of one of her beloved humans.
Layla was preceded in death by her litter mate Lola, and the cat Snowflake who both died in September. She is survived by Piper, Snowflakes’s sister, who will celebrate her 17th birthday this month. Having endured failing health for many months, Layla met death peacefully and seemed almost to sigh with relief in her final moments.

7 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Oh. I am so sorry to hear of this dear dog's death. So, so sorry. I send you hugs and kisses and love and condolences. And may she rest in peace.

A.Smith said...

My heart goes to you, but it is good to know that to the end she knew you loved her. And if there is any comfort to her absence it should be the good memories and the love she gave in return. I know you must be grateful for that and that her passing was peaceful and sweet.

May we all have the same blessing at the end of our time here: to know that we are loved and to turn off the light gently and peaceful.

Dawna said...

I'm sorry, Denise. I lost my Dreidel (aka, "Pommie)--the one on my profile--last year. My heart has not recovered. My Spice girl sounds like Layla, and she has certainly become droopy in recent weeks . . .
Well, pets have souls and feelings; the grief of a lost relationship.

stephanie said...

Sad news, but a lovely review.

Raj said...

I am sorry you lost your pet. I happened upon your page looking for something else a few months ago. You have a polish as a writer,a real voice. Keep at it!

Matrix Music Teacher said...

I remember very well when Lola and Layla came to live with you. After years of Roy being the "pointy" dog in our little dog/music circle, he was replaced by even pointier L&L. And now, too soon, L&L are both gone. Such short lives our beloved pets live. We hang on dearly to every day that Roy is still with us. I feel for you!

Anonymous said...

Denise,
I'm so sorry to hear about Layla's passing. I know this must be so hard for you but even in your greif, you are a beautiful writer and person. Praying for you always...Gen