Gigi: Grace iconic, Goddess incarnate

We lost Gigi quite suddenly and unexpectedly. Something happened to her spine that left her back legs paralyzed. The paralysis was partial at first, but it progressed rapidly in less than 24 hours. By the time we saw the vet, she was completely unable to walk or even support herself. Xrays were not informative and the next steps would have been an MRI and surgery with a specialist, if there was even a surgical option. In any event, Gigi would have been immobile and completely dependent upon us for even basic bodily functions for an unknown length of time. Having gone through that in the past, we felt the toll on the dog's quality of life was too great and the benefits too uncertain. 

When we got Gigi she was just called GG and we were told it stood for "good girl." She was a good girl indeed, but she was so much more. We gave her the more elegant name of Gigi, thinking it was a more appropriate title for a beauty queen.

We shared our bed but you made it your throne. Surveying your domain with benevolent authority and power. 

We gave you love and kept you in our hearts, always mindful that it was you who had chosen us to share your home. 

You had canine companions, but no peers. You filled the interstitial realm between dog and man. 

You didn't walk, your delicate feet caressed the ground, leaving it blessed by your passing. You didn't run, you flew close to the ground with a faerie's grace. 

We brought you jewels, but they had no intrinsic beauty. They did not shine except when hung around your long, graceful neck. Even then they paled in comparison to the glistening silver on your brows, your lashes, and your face. Silver that you acquired with the years, earned value and beauty that required no adornment. 

Here are a few snippets from prior blog posts that I've written about Gigi. They have stood the test of time.

Gigi had learned all she really needed to know in this life long before class.  I hate to say it, but she learned that I'm a soft touch, easily manipulated to get anything she wants.  She doesn't have to obey or be sociable or do stuff.  She doesn't have a job and she doesn't have to babysit the foster dogs.  The female dog is an exalted position in our house, Gypsy made it so and every female dog who has followed her has benefitted from that.  Gigi stepped into a sweet spot when she landed here and all she has to do is act like she deserves it.  She learned to do that pretty well.

Gigi is the girliest girl we've ever had around here.  Molly was the consummate tomboy.  Gypsy was the Iron Lady.  Emmylou was sweet, but she was a country girl, happiest when hunting through a field or forest.  Gigi is just dainty and elegant.  She likes dogs well enough, but she's not one of them, she's a princess.

I've never been one for dressing up my dogs, but she's tall, slender, and basic black--everything looks good on her.  The dog was born to accessorize.    Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  I'm thinking she might like diamonds.

Wishing you fields of buttercups by day, and a comfortable bed at night.