The One

 It seems I was born with a mark emblazoned on my forehead to mark me as 'the one' who would have to be there to bear witness to loss and grief, to be there when loved ones draw their final breatb. On Sunday when I arrived at my mother's her elderly cavalier had a very bad, hacking cough and needless to say it was me, on Monday, who took the dog to the vet and was with him, later in the afternoon when it was obvious he needed to go to sleep. His heart had collapsed and his lungs were filling with fluids. This death follows a series of deaths in the last few years.  Max spent a lot of time with me over the years. Invariably he came to me at times when Mum had a fall and was not managing so well. He loved our home in Fitzroy and loved being with our animals, loved the energy of the place. Times changed and after Darryl's death I moved. Maxie missed coming to the old house, felt it as my mother's health has deteriorated.   Vale Maxie. I told you Monty and Darryl would be there on the other side and to run as fast as your legs could carry you, to be there when Mum's time comes and she needs a guide.  Rest peacefully precious companion animal.