writing without a dog - Alisa M. Libby
No offense to endings or beginnings, but I've got an ending of my own to contend with. My dog, Roxanne, died this past month. Back in April I wrote a post about my perfect writing day, in which Roxanne took a starring role: http://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-perfect-writing-day.html.
Now I have to learn how to write without a dog. I haven't had to do this for twelve years. It's an adjustment. The desk is the same, the honeyed tea steaming in the mug. But the house feels different: quiet, without the clickety clack of nails or the soft snoring of a sleeping hound. People have asked "Are you getting another dog?" And while the thought of a new pet is tempting, the fact is that it wouldn't fulfill the need I have in me right now: the need for a specific dog, my dog. The smelly one-eyed basset hound who sang like Chewbacca and curled up beside me as I wrote both of my books.
I will need time to adjust. As writers, aren't we constantly adjusting to the circumstances that surround us, trying desperately not to let it adversely effect our work? But I am lucky that I had the benefit of that dog for as long as I did, and that she didn't mind napping through the clickety clack of my keys on the keyboard.
Deepest condolences, Alisa. I have a canine writing partner myself--I've been away from him no more than four hours at a time since he came into my life eight years ago. Roxanne was lucky to have been with someone who loved her so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. My dog is an intrinsic part of my writing life, so I can imagine what you're going through. Thinking of you.
ReplyDelete*hugs*
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. I've had dogs all my life. It's never easy when one passes away.
ReplyDeleteOh Alisa! You know, your favorite writing day post had been one of my favorites and I had thought a lot about your descriptions and imagined you walking your dog... So very sorry to hear about this loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad for you, Alisa. Roxanne was a special dog.
ReplyDeleteAlisa, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine losing my cat, who is not just a member of the family but the one "person" who is always up for a hug. Hang in there and enjoy the memories of Roxanne. People who have special animals to love are lucky, there's nothing like it.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for your kind comments, this really means a lot to me. I knew that this group would understand not only the emotional aspect of losing a pet, but the idea of a pet as writing companion! Thank you, all.
ReplyDelete