Mourning Lacey: A Cascade of Kindness

Our precious five-year-old wheaten mini wire-haired rescue dachshund Lacey was killed by a coyote in our fenced backyard while Thom was with her and our two other dachshunds at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 11th. This is how I shared the tragic news with neighbors/friends/family and Facebook:  

I have the most heartbreaking news to share. We in the Pacific Northwest are experiencing more snow accumulation and bitter cold than any time in the last fifty years. This morning at 8:30 while Thom was in back with the pups, a coyote jumped the fence, killed Lacey and took her back over the fence deep into the greenbelt. It happened in an instant. Lacey made one outcry and then was silent. We are devastated. The snow is too deep and greenbelt too treacherous to try to look further. After the snow melts, we will look for her collar. Lacey had the most wonderful day yesterday. She went for a walk with Thomas in the snow, and that video is at the end of this post. 

I have a lovely video of her, all toasty warm, sitting on the heat vent watching the snow and birds outside the night before. The video is posted on my Facebook timeline and here. 

We stayed in bed together an unusually long time this morning. Lots of extra love and cuddles. Even thought to take a photo! Lacey lived a life of exuberance. She remains a model for us.

I often wondered, if one of my dachshunds died, would I be able to post about the loss. Like the skipping of a scratched record, I doubted I could bear the repeated responses of condolences. I am the type of person who withdraws inward whenever in crisis and only resurfaces once I feel I’ve pulled myself together again. Yet, my Facebook communities were used to seeing me with three dachshunds. It would be only a matter of time before there would be questions about the missing pup. I decided to share my loss and grief. I could not fathom the outpouring of love that streamed in from the moment I opened my pain and my feelings of devastation to others. 

Despite the deep snow and undrivable roads, neighbors walked to my home to bring flowers, home-baked and decorated Valentine cookies, soup, brownies, and homemade sympathy cards.

One family put chains on their tires and went to the local grocery store for flowers and later brought us groceries. Close family and friends, who could not visit in person because of the weather, sent messages and emails filled with their sorrow over our loss. As a warning for others to protect their children and pets, one friend wrote a Letter to the Editor of our local online newspaper and other friends posted about the exceptional danger of predators being desperate for nourishment due to the deep snow and bitter cold.

My personal Facebook page followers, as well as three Facebook dachshund groups, flooded my postings with reactions, messages, and photos. Many shared how they or a close friend also endured the tragic death of a pet. The manager of one of my German dachshund groups translated my entire post into German to be certain all the members could understand my message. No matter what wording was chosen or what stories were told, it was clear people cared deeply and were reaching out to share in my grief and offer their support. Instead of the messages causing more pain, which initially had made me reluctant to share, the sentiments swaddled me in a blanket of prayers and hugs. 

Lacey’s last walk.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of care extended in this time of grief. To be the recipient of the cascade of kindness by people all over the world has provided much comfort. We do not have to grieve alone. The stories shared and words of compassion offered have provided a balm for my broken heart. I am thankful for the kindness of all those who reached out to me.