Today, good friends unexpectedly lost a long time companion. Asanya was not your regular run of the mill breed like a Labrador or a Cocker Spaniel rather she was a lovely little Whippet with a wonderful little personality. Now, Whippets are not a breed that the average dog owner adopts. But then again, my friends are not the average dog owners either! Having been in the veterinary business for many years, I actually don’t recall taking care of any Whippets, ever. Having known this lovely dog and appreciating all her coolness makes me wonder why they are not more popular. I have to admit that until I moved to a new high school with a “Whippet” for the mascot, I had no idea what it was. I went from a Demon to a Whippet. Kind of humiliating when you are a teenager. Anyway, I have recovered from those wounds and now truly appreciate why it was named as the mascot. The Whippet is a sighthound which is known for its speed and was bred for hunting. They are relatives of the Greyhound and look much like them except they are a smaller version. They are a delicate looking dog but they can run like the wind. When they aren’t running, they are usually sleeping. Sighthounds in general tend to be very lazy, laid back dogs.
Asanya was the odd dog out living with two boxers in her household. She was a princess living with two brutes! Despite this, she fit in well with them and was held on a pedestal in her house by both dogs and people. There is an iron strong bond between animals and people in that house which was abruptly shaken today due to her loss. Even though she is gone, the bond has not been lost as I think relationships, whether human or animal, continue to have a strong bond even in death. They are not walking beside us anymore but they are still with us and part of us in the memories we have of them. Asanya was a dog who lived a charmed life with people who adored her and made her life fantastic while here on earth. I’m sure the brutes will notice her absence and mourn for her as well. They were a tight knit dog family. She’s a dog deserving of a public tribute as well as the people who shared their lives with her and cared for her. She’ll be waiting for you at the bridge.