Storm
May 9th, 2010
Storm, my muse and the inspiration for the Dog a Day Project, died this morning. Sunday, May 9, 2010. She was only nine years old. It’s a cliche, but she didn’t suffer.
She had a common thing among Golden Retrievers: a tumor that broke open near her heart. Sudden, and the only time the condition had any effect on her.
Last night, she was still a puppy. We sat on the couch for what had become a regular event. It was Buffy night, in which we all sat on the couch and watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She wasn’t an “on the furniture dog,” but was allowed up on Buffy night. She lay between us and we both rested our hands on her. I said something to Maggie about the specialness of all three of us touching.
And now, this morning, she’s gone. I always said that she would have to be on her deathbed not to want breakfast. And this morning, she didn’t want breakfast. We’re grateful she was playful and puppyish until the end, and that she went peacefully with both of us stroking her. I’m devastated. Maggie is devastated.
In honor of Storm, I’m including links to the pieces I did of her for this project. It’s a long list. It doesn’t include the ones that were inspired by her but aren’t specifically of her (or else it would be a link to everything).
It may be quite a while before I draw another dog.
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/01/02/just-a-trim/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/01/08/motivated-fetch/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/01/15/storm-silver-and-gold/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/01/23/puppies/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/01/29/waggy-for-maggie/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/01/31/sun-dog/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/02/10/oily-storm/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/02/12/fear-of-a-box-planet/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/02/13/tug/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/02/20/first-meetings/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/02/23/just-one-wafer-thin-mint/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/02/27/modeling-a-cape/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/03/21/spring-has-sprung/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/03/22/my-two-beautiful-girls/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/03/16/golden-vectors/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/03/01/to-market-to-market/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/03/27/beloved-toy/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/04/13/dog-among-the-bonnets/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/04/17/dog-tired-again/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/04/07/in-the-black-water/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/04/28/our-dog-sally/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/05/11/mothers-day/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/05/19/ascii-dog/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/05/23/david-has-left-the-building/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/06/03/tug-of-war/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/06/04/vector-vacation/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/06/12/storm-in-digital-pencils/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/06/22/dog-massacre/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/06/26/storm-and-zoe/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/07/06/stained-glass-storm-dog/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/07/09/storm-reflective/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/07/12/creative-difficulties/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/07/19/retro-graphic-dog/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/08/06/sniffing-the-flowers/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/08/10/mad-dogs-and-englishwomen/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/08/15/shaggy-dog/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/09/26/mine/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/10/02/packed/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/10/05/wet-and-tired/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/10/22/filmstrip-dog/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/10/26/cats-and-dogs/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2008/11/24/storm-in-inks/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2009/01/07/victory-party/
- http://dogadayproject.com/2010/03/06/storm-photographer/
May 9th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
You said it all. She adored you, as I do.
May 9th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I’m so sad…….i can only imagine what you two are going through. Just don’t know what to say.
May 9th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Oh Maggie and Erik – I am so sorry to hear about Storm. I remember when you got her and when you came up with her name (I thought it was the most beautiful name) – I can’t believe it has been 9 years. Storm was so loved and you both brought so much joy into her life as she did into yours! She truly was special and I know she will be so missed. My hope is that soon you will be able to think of her and smile remembering the past 9 years. I looked at everyone of the links and they are all amazing … of course! Love to you both! Kate
May 9th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
My heart is aching…breaking…for you, Erik. Bless you.
May 9th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Nothing hurts more than losing a beloved family member! SO sorry to hear this news.
May 10th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
A beautiful tribute, Erik. Losing a pet is always difficult, but it’s one of the inevitable parts of life. Writing the tribute should help some.
May 14th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I am so sorry. These dear animals, that we often love more than life itself sometimes, make us who we are and break our hearts and leave a tremendous hole when they leave, but I wouldn’t trade loving and living with them for anything else in the world.
Blessings,
Carol Ann
May 16th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Erik,
I’m so sorry about Storm. It is so hard–I know–we lost our faithful dog this spring.
(Sorry it took me so long to respond–I haven’t kept up with blogs lately.)
May 17th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Erik,
I’ve been crying ever since I heard about Storm. She was a one-in-a-million dog. I know how hard this must be and I’m thinking of you and Maggie. We’re lucky to have even one dog in our lives that is as special to us as Storm was to you two. But what a wonderful gift to have shared a beautiful moment with she and Maggie before she died. That’s more than we can ask for sometimes.
Best,
Sunni
May 17th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Erik,
I am so sorry to hear about Storm. She was a wonderful soul who will live in your heart always.
If you remember, I am a friend of your dad’s, for whom you made a beautiful picture of my Golden, Jake.
You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
Debbie
May 17th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
We do remember. We actually have some framed pages from the book in the house: Jake is in the living room as part of his page.
May 25th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Aww, that is just terrible news. I knew she was young but… ah, I don’t need to tell you. Heartbreaking. She was really special and I know how much she meant to you.
So so sorry.
May 26th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Oh Erik. I’m so sorry to hear about Storm. She was a fantastic dog. The loss of a beloved pet is so, so difficult. You’re always seeing them out of the peripheral of your eye for the longest time after. You both are in our thoughts.
June 13th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I was passing by and found the notice of you beloved dog’s death
I were there a few years ago
I ‘m so sorry for yor lost
only this