Molly W. Worthy b. ? - d. 9/9/06

Molly Wolly Worthy is at peace. Somewhere she can walk and run and wag her tail and play with stuffed toys and eat whatever she wants whenever she wants.

My vet is wonderful and they were compassionate, they understood, even as she lay there before him, he could see she was still sweet, still happy and he said, that's how he believes dogs should leave the world so they remember happy times.

I agree with him, still, being the one to take her in, to decide it's time, will always make me wonder just a bit.

They did let me bring her home and I dug a big hole under the rosemary bush. The ground was soft there, it was where she liked to hang out sometimes. I didn't think I could do that, manage digging a deep enough hole for her. Somehow I did. As I pulled her out of the car, heavy as she was, I knew that this was something I could do, should do, would do. It might be against the law, but it's the right thing.

Years ago when my horse, my first love, really, Golden Diamond, had to be "put to sleep" for health reasons, I had my first big heartbreak. I watched her go, too and I saw the weight of the world leave her eyes and I knew that she could be free to go whereever we go when we're done here. My old cat Maggie, after 14 years with me, I had to take her in, too. Saying goodbye to her, the cat who'd seen me through high school and college and who held her love at a distance until she'd crawl on me and sleep with me, that goodbye was another one I said alone.

When Molly arrived at my house in 2000, we'd just moved to Austin. She was a stray and I traced her tags to an abandoned house. She stayed with us. She would steal Annalise's stuffed animals and carry them around. She was already arthritic and the vet estimated her age at between 9 and 15. Six years later, she was still so damn sweet and loving. She wagged her tail with vigor, loudly, and she'd bark at absolutely nothing that anyone else could see. She had a lot of good friends and admirers.

I'm gonna miss the old girl. More than I realized, I'm gonna miss her.

It's been a summer of goodbyes, and new beginnings.
Molly this is a new beginning. I am one of those crazy people who believe that dogs have souls and that our job is to learn from them how to be better people, people who take responsibility for our place in the world, people who love them enough to be strong enough to say goodbye when the time is right.

I know there's a war going on and there are people suffering and starving and heartbroken, but I hope her friends can remember her with a quiet prayer and by being compassionate to all the pets and strays in their lives. One day some old yeasty smelly arthritic dog might wonder up to your front door and though you'll want them to go home, though they'll drive you nuts sometimes and pee and poop on your nice clean floors, and steal all your stuffed animals, they'll bring you love, acceptance, hope and some lessons. That's what Molly gave us and we'll miss her sweet spirit.