Exactly one month of McCay’s surgery, I finally found the courage to write my homage to our Little One. I couldn’t bring myself to do something the last few weeks, let alone write about her. The events just bring me to tears. But when I finally saw the sign, I know it’s time that I do it.
Top: McCay’s adoption photo;
Bottom L-R: first time meeting McCay in Branford, CT. First car ride to her forever home.
Who would’ve thought that an unwanted litter of seven will fill our hearts so much? In 2016, when Bob and I felt we’re ready to get our second dog, we reached out to Unconditional Love Pet Rescue. After almost a month of email exchanges (if we’re the right fit) and the long travel (for the dog), We met McCay and brought her home.
It was love at first sight. McCay was a 12-week old puppy when we adopted her. Her story was not unique; she-along with her siblings were discarded in a place popular for dumping unwanted animals in rural Arkansas. She had a beautiful chocolate brown fur with a long tail, holding a piece of wood bark on her mouth. Advertised as a lab mix, we immediately fall in love with her.
I couldn’t exactly remember how Nikki (our three year old Aussie/Newfie mix) interacted with McCay when she first got home. What I can remember was that Nikki looked confused that on the fifth day, McCay still hadn’t left the house (as she used to having dogs brought by our friends that visit go home after few days) 😂. Eventually, when Nikki realized McCay wasn’t going anywhere, they become inseparable. They bonded as mother and daughter first. McCay learned a lot from Nikki; “monkey see monkey do” as we say. Basic commands that Nikki know, she learned them quickly. Then they become sisters and best friends.
Top L-R: Nikki and McCay strutting in Hathaway trail; swimming at Hathaway’s Pond
Bottom L-R: Graduating from puppy school; looking out the window waiting for me
Our fondest memories of McCay were during her puppy and growing up years while living in Cape Cod. Her playing tag and chase with Nikki in our grassy backyard with two pine trees that later looked like a race track from running around them. The daily walk at Hathaway’s Pond- where she learned how to swim (even in a cold winter months) with Nikki; the first loud bark she howled at a stranger that startled her; and the great escape (again with Nikki) which ended them in a highway picked up by two angels- that made them permanently leashed when walking; but later McCay regained her independence as she was such an obedient dog. Her acing the puppy school… Her waiting for me to get home from work… First play with the snow. First birthday. And many other firsts.
When we moved to Florida McCay continued to be the joyful, fun and adventurous dog that she was. We discovered new places, met new people together, and mostly enjoyed our little haven of paradise in our lanai. She and Nikki continued playing in the back yard. (We) They both swim in our pool which was intentionally built for them (and Bob)🙂. We found Beresford Park to walk everyday and explored different walking paths. In 2021, we adopted a blind dog and introduced Mr. Charles to our pack. McCay took the responsibility of the guiding dog for the blind (dog). She helped Mr. Charles tremendously in adjusting to his new place. McCay was literally by his side (in all the walks and all the corners of our home) as Nikki didn’t really care so much; but all three exist harmoniously.
Top L-R: enjoying the deck in Hyannis home. Always enjoying where the sun is.
Bottom L-R: McCay and Nikki enjoying their run in the snow; McCay’s 1 year old Birthday; McCay’s first snow experience.
Top L-R: McCay and her favorite toys. Enjoying our lanai.
Bottom: L-R: the kids eager to go to the park; our pool being enjoyed by Nikki McCay and Bob.
Left: The butterfly that showed in our lanai few days ago; the sign I was longing to see.
Right: McCay after her surgery. The last photo we took that she seemed happy.🙁
But some good things never lasts. I will not go into the details of how our Little One endured her pain. I am still grieving; and reliving her agony still brings me to tears and causes me pain. When we started noticing that McCay’s belly seemed bigger than it usually appears sometime late June/early July, we sought our vet right away to know what’s going on. The initial finding was tumor of unknown location- liver, spleen, or intestine. The recommendation was to seek a board certified surgeon that will operate on her; and we did. We were very careful in every steps we made. When the exact location of the tumor (spleen) was determined (by a fine needle biopsy) and possible metastasis to vital organs were ruled out, we proceeded with her surgery. She was doing great until she wasn’t. She survived the most critical four hours in the ICU. She was recovering well after she was discharge home; until her fifth day when she developed clots (possible pulmonary embolism) in her lungs. From there she slipped away so fast. One day we were cheering for her bravery, the next day she’s gone. That was a real punch in the gut.
“’Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars
I'm gonna give you my heart
'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars
'Cause you light up the path.”
-Sky Full of Stars, Coldplay
One of McCay’s beautiful portraits I took.
Recently I watched a Coldplay concert, and while I was celebrating their music, there is one song that somehow hit me and thought of McCay right away. This was right after we found she has a tumor during her initial vet visit and before her surgery. While at the concert and listening to the upbeat rhythm of the song, I shed some tears. I had the fear of the unknown then, I didn’t know what’s going to happen. And now a month later, it all made sense. McCay was our sky that was full of stars. Like the vastness of the universe that caters to all the heavenly bodies, she showered us with so much joy and laughter the last nine and half years that filled my, Bob, Nikki and Mr. Charles’ hearts with so many fond memories that we will rekindle forever. She made all the people that she met happy- proved by all the people that prayed for her through out her journey. She made myself and Bob connected to people that were once strangers to us- like Doug and Cindee/James, Erin, Lilly and Pepper in the park. McCay brought me a deep understanding of profound love and showed me happiness even in difficult times.
Post Script:
For the past two weeks as I do my morning commute to work I utter my daily thanks; I also asked to give me a sign that our Little One is OK at the other side of the rainbow bridge. A few days ago Bob sent me a photo of a beautiful monarch butterfly inside our lanai insisting to go inside the house. Strange enough, McCay used to stand where the butterfly would usually go when she wanted to come in (with a single bark of course). The butterfly flew over the plants before it flew elsewhere and finally went out of sight. Butterflies are one of the signs; and I know that was her, telling us she’s OK and she’s finally come home.
Thank you McCay for all the love and joy you brought into our lives. Rest now our Little One, the Class Clown, our only Gazelle and Collette, our Bebe and Princess… until we cross path again.
one of the many random photos we have of McCay, Bob and myself.