Goodnight Lilly
Oh, my darlings, you know I always say that every moment is a chance to shine and feel flawless, And while this blog is usually a joyful celebration of all things fashion and beauty, today, my tender heart feels an overwhelming pull to share something truly real, something profoundly beautiful, and a little bit heartbreaking.
Today, my loves, we prepare to say goodbye to our beloved Labrador, Lilly.
Lilly is 14 now, and she's lived a life filled with so much love and boundless joy. But, my darlings, time, that relentless beauty, has brought its challenges. Lilly is now navigating the world with dementia, she's partially blind, partially deaf, and sadly, her precious back legs are causing her a lot of pain, meaning those joyful walks are no longer possible. Lilly has been bravely facing these struggles for a while now, and perhaps, in our overwhelming love, we've held onto our darling Lilly a little longer than we should have. Because, my beauties, saying goodbye is the hardest thing, isn't it? But we can't deny it any longer; she is ready to find her peace.
I remember it like it was yesterday, darling. Lilly was one of the smallest of her litter, perhaps even the runt, but oh, she had the biggest spirit! We drove an hour to meet her, and the farm where she was born had kept the puppies in a tiny stable, drinking from an upside-down bin lid. My immediate, heartfelt reaction was, "How many of these precious souls can we take home?!" The little pups had hidden behind a bin when I entered, but one brave, tiny little darling came out and bumped me with her nose. That, my loves, was our Lilly – small, fearless, and utterly captivating.
Lilly came home with us, needing so much tender loving care – she had ear mites, an eye infection, and needed a good, warm bath. She was a very timid little dog at first, but luckily, we already had our beloved Harry, and those two formed the most magical, unbreakable bond. I truly believe they loved each other with all their hearts.
Lilly has brought us such immeasurable joy, darling. From her devilish charm running through picnics, scattering sandwiches with glee, to her hilarious dive-bombing antics in the river – having her around kept us on our toes! When she was very young, she was so wonderfully naughty, often stealing little treasures from around the house and taking them up into the garden. She and Harry were a dynamic duo, with her often following him straight into the most delightful mischief!
This is the very dog, my beauties, who sat with me and refused to leave my side when I started my labour, a silent, comforting presence. This is the dog who would always come and find you, gently resting her head on your knee when you were sad, offering that unspoken comfort. Which is precisely why it has been utterly awful, watching her decline, seeing less of the fun, bouncy, and springy pup we once knew.
Lilly has been an absolute pleasure, a true gift in our home. And after our dear Harry passed, it even gave her a new lease of life for a little while, a testament to her resilient spirit. My heart feels heavy today, my loves. I hate that she is so confused and doesn't always recognise us, or that she now jumps when we touch her, because she's not aware we are there. So for now, I will cherish every memory of my devilish little farm puppy, who had a big heart, the floppiest ears, and simply adored to swim.
Thank you, Lilly, for choosing us. Now, go run, my sweet love, over that rainbow bridge, straight into the waiting paws of your brother...