My friend Severine woke up this morning to find her dog Upi had died sometime during the night. I hope she died peacefully in her sleep. I am affectionately known as Auntie Audrey to Severine and her kids, and to Upi (named after Upi Bay near China where Severine rescued Upi from a pet shop). Upi was a very pretty Golden Retriever with a beautiful disposition. She was 12 yrs old and was one of the nicest dogs I have ever been around (except for Maggie May, of course). I have taken care of her for the last 2-3 years when Severine and her husband Oscar traveled for work and play. We all thought we would have a couple more years to enjoy her company, but sadly it was not to be.
I sent these pictures with appropriate captions to Severine while she traveling recently- last Christmas, when she and Oscar took their respective kids (all four) to Europe to go skiing; and this summer when Severine took her two to the south of France to visit her parents.
Even though she was not mine I will miss Upi very much and I am sad for Severine. Today is her daughters 13th birthday and she and Chloe’s dad are having a party for her at the marina. Severine decided not to tell Chloe today (she is staying with her dad this weekend) but to wait until Sunday or maybe Monday when she gets home. I know she is feeling very sad but must put her grief for Upi away until later. I can’t really do anything to comfort for my friend until she is ready to share and grieve with the people closest her and to Upi but I am glad that she decided to call me so at least she can know that someone who cares about her and her jolie chien, Upi Girl, as I affectionately dubbed her, is cradling them with warm caring thoughts.
Although it has nothing to do with MyCigarpurses, I decided to dedicate my first blog post to Upi as my way of honoring her memory and saying goodbye to her. Upi and I spent a lot of time together and I will miss her very much but my heart truly goes out to Severine and her children. Upi has been with Severine through her travels and through many life challenges and changes. She was a constant companion for Chloe and Alex all of their lives so far, and I know their hearts will all ache at losing her.
I lost my own dog, Maggie May, a scruffy Cairn Terrier, in September of 2000 and rarely a day goes by without thinking of her. She was with me for 11 years and she moved with me like a trooper through my many relocation’s, was my constant companion and befriended everyone she encountered. I traveled a lot for work during the last few years of her life and a wonderful woman named Elsie took care of Maggie when I was away. She loved Maggie very much and cried with me when I had to put Maggie to sleep. I now live in another town and have cultivated new friendships here but I think of Elsie and her friendship and her devotion to my dog a lot. In addition to the joy Upi brought me when she was with me, taking care of Upi has been my way of honoring Elsie and passing along the kindness that she shared with me and Maggie May. Thank you Upi, Maggie and Elsie, for everything.
Maggie May 1989-2000
So many thoughts and memories… Upi’s mission in life was to make sure that she made the people who happen to cross her path feel good about the moment, about the day… Audrey’s mission, when Upi was with her, was to ensure that Upi would get the royal treatment: long walk, bedroom sleeping arrangements, timely food and the undivided attention of the adult in charge (a challenge for her at home)… The pair got along just fine, to the point that Upi recognized Auntie Audrey’s place from the back of the car and when I dropped her off, I always found her impatiently wagging her tail, ready to jump out and run through the corridors to get there faster… I miss Upi terribly, and I know that we will not have another dog for a while: I find myself spending more time petting Upi’s friends from the neighborhood… I am also eagerly awaiting for any of my friends – with dogs – to leave for vacations and let me be auntie Severine for a little while…