On October 8, 2014

In honor of our four-legged friends

By Robin Alberti

This week I had to let go of my 14-year-old dog, Maple. She came from a German Shepherd mom and unknown father. She picked me out when she was 9 weeks old, trampling all the other puppies in the puppy room at the Deschutes County Humane Society in Oregon, to put her paws on my knee and lick my chin. It was love at first sight.

I know many of you feel as I do: pets are family members, not possessions. When someone would ask me if I have kids, I have always answered “I have two two-legged kids and two four-legged kids.” I am a firm believer that when you take on the responsibility of giving a pet a home, it is a lifetime commitment.

Pets bring us so much joy, love, affection and entertainment. Even some of their annoying habits or bad behavior become funny stories to tell. Maple ate one of my two-legged children’s gingerbread houses every year until last, despite our best efforts to place them where she could not get to them. Having our gingerbread houses last until the New Year was a sign she was getting old.

Maple was there with me through a move across the country, the birth of my kids, my divorce, Tropical Storm Irene flooding our home, and many other ups and downs of life. Her love and devotion was unwavering. Even though she was not thrilled to share my attention when I had my two-legged children, she recognized them as part of our pack. Once my son starting throwing food from his high chair though, Maple decided that kids were not such a bad thing after all!

I have received many thoughtful words of condolence over the past few days and have had many people share their stories with me about their wonderful pets. But the one thing that meant the most to me came from my dad, who was up in Maine at the time. He went to the local humane society and made a donation in honor and memory of Maple.

My kids and I baked dog biscuits last year at Christmas time and delivered them to the Rutland County Humane Society and we support that shelter as much as we can. Shelters can always use cash donations, but they need many other items too, like worn out sheets and blanket. Making a donation to your local humane society in honor of a pet is truly a meaningful way to honor a pet that has touched your life and left paw-prints on your heart.

Maple will always be in my heart and on my mind. My kids and I will tell stories of her antics and think of her every year when we build our ginger bread houses.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Remembering forward

June 11, 2025
We are in a strange time. You might be yearning, remembering the world that was. A world you can never go back to.  A world you can remember like it was yesterday, even though it may be many years ago. It may only be yesterday. A world that you can still see, taste, smell, and…

Rockin’ the Region with Rivalry

June 11, 2025
Jacob Vahey, 14, and Lila Bucci, 15, who form the duo group Rivalry, are the youngest musicians I’ve interviewed to date. Coincidentally, Vahey’s Mom, Laura, attends my music bingo at the Public House Pub in Quechee. Rivalry played the Public House on St Patrick’s Day and Cinco De Mayo. They’ll return to play there on…

Fun outdoor activities for kids in the 50s

June 11, 2025
I find it refreshing to see the kids in my neighborhood outside now that warm weather has arrived. Some are on bikes. Others are “shooting hoops” or playing soccer in their backyards.  Riding bikes was probably the most popular outdoor activity for kids growing up on our street back in the ‘50s. We all began…

Market-rate housing is the affordable housing solution

June 11, 2025
Editor’s note: Stephen Box is a Rutland-based general contractor, landlord, and advocate for citizen developers.  When it comes to increasing the number of available affordable housing units in Vermont, there are two strategies.  The first approach is to build more affordable housing, and this is the current favored strategy of Vermont’s non-profit housing developers with…