the new girl in town

We put our beloved bulldog down this past spring. Rescued from the pound days after we married, miles from our sham of a honeymoon, one could argue Delilah rescued a marriage many thought was doomed from the start. That dog gave us thirteen years of love and loyalty, snuggles and slobber, redemption and responsibility.

After traveling thousands of miles across the country and enjoying a year of Alaskan life, Delilah gave us the gift of the slow goodbye. She gently slowed until she stopped, making the end easier on all of us. She died with the help of a vet in our living room, with candles lit and soft music playing. It was not unlike a birth. It was my kids’ first death ever. It was beautiful and it was sad.

I’ve been sad enough for a few lifetimes since 2018. When Delilah died, I did not want another dog. We still have Samson, who’s also nearing his end, and besides… I just wanted to be sad. Chris wanted to grieve by starting over and getting a puppy, but I just wanted to be sad. No puppy. No starting over.

But then my coworker’s dog had puppies. The end became a beginning and thus is life. We started over.

Welcome, Jolene Delilah Babe the Pig Kincaid… Jo for short.