Jul 11
This is HARD! Really Hard
This is the toughest blog I’ve ever written. Millie the wonder dog, my 13 year old Brittany Spaniel, died last evening, July 10 2009 at home in Okemos Michigan. This is her “obituary.”
Millie Ruth Harris, a pure bred Brittany Spaniel, was born on April 24 1996 in Wichita Kansas. She was to be my son Eric’s hunting dog. Eric and my wife Ruth picked out Millie because she was “so cute and lively and kept running away from the other puppies of the litter!” How appropriate would those words turn out to be.
Millie soon left Kansas, where the bird hunting was plentiful, when we moved to Michigan in March 1997. She was there to keep my wife company while I was working and before we had made any real friends. It was while walking Millie that Ruth met one of her fast friends. In reality, though, you didn’t walk Millie–she walked you! She was so strong and so headstrong that she literally pulled on the leash all the way, glancing back with a look that said, “get the lead out–c’mon!”
That’s how the running thing got started. When I became interested in getting fit and needed to run as part of my regular cardio, no one wanted to run with me–except Millie! She was always ready, and she would literally drag me the entire two miles. Every day we would be out there, rain or shine, summer or winter. Running with her in winter was perilous. More than once she pulled me right through a stop sign on icy streets with cars coming at us! Her winter specialty, though, was to run down by the river, run off the roadway and dive into a bunch of raspberry bushes that usually held rabbits and thorns of course. She would get hopelessly tangled up in the leash and the bushes and I’d have to go extract her!
Her other regular specialty was running away. She had a way of winning your confidence and lulling you into the notion that she’d stay in the yard while you were gardening or lying in the sun. And somehow in a moment she would be gone! We live in a village, but our home is right on the edge of a large wooded area with the river, so when she took off, you had almost no idea how to find her again. She never came back home either! But, she would always eventually show up at the home of Ruth’s friend, the one she met while walking Millie.
In the last year Millie developed arthritis and was unable to run anymore. She took it much better than I did. I really missed her out there. Within the last few months she began to decline noticably and quickly. The vet tried what he could but said in a vettish way that she was just old and we should feed her well and keep her comfortable.
Though she was agitated and breathing heavily before she died naturally, she did not seem to suffer any pain or even any real stress until just a couple of hours before she left us. She died right where she spent her spare time, sleeping on her side on her favorite pillow on our deck.
I’ve never been attached to an animal like Millie. I miss her much already. I buried her this morning in the back yard area she loved. This is hard!
July 11th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I’m so sorry for your loss Mike!
July 11th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Hey Judge…I’m so sorry to hear about your ‘ole buddy, Millie. You’ve talked about Millie so much in your writings over the years that she’s become synonymous with the Mike Harris BFL approach! So in a way, I’ll miss her, too. Peace, and thanks be to God, my friend.
~Kevin
July 11th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
My heart goes out to you and your family.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. You have spoke lovingly of Millie for as long as I have read your words on the guestbook. I lost a cat we had for 19 years. Pets are more than fur covered creatures residing in our homes. They are members of our family.This is hard Mike, but tomorrow will be easier. Remember the good times and God bless.
July 11th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Hey Mike~
It has been several years since I logged on to the BFL website. For some reason tonight I decided to log on and read about Millie’s death. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I know what it’s like to lose one of the most faithful members of our family. Millie had a good home, a good life, and a family that loved her very much.
I used to love to read your stories about her. I don’t know if you remember this, but you sent me a book you had that Porter Freeman wrote and when I got it in the mail, I looked up at the address and you had it addressed from Millie. That brought the biggest smile to my face.
Once again, I am so sorry!
July 11th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Thinking about you and Millie, as I gave my dog, Sandi, a little extra loving this evening. She returned the favor, the way that all good dogs do. Here’s wishing you comforting memories.
July 11th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Mike, along with the others, I am thinking of you today. You have had such a presence over the years, and Millie has been such a big part of that; many, many people will share in your loss.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Dear Mike,
Millie Ruth Harris enjoyed an incredible active life. Filled with love, nutritious food, clean water, daily exercise, nature, sunshine and adventures! She will always remember her loving mom & dad – Mike & Ruth – just as you will always remember her. God Bless XO Dana
July 12th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Dear Mike,
My heart goes out to you & Ruth for the loss of your sweet Millie the Wonder Dog. I’ll miss all the “Millie and Me” stories you share on the GB. Please know that so many of us out here feel for you and are praying that you’ll have comfort and peace. Dogs are so special and they fill a place in our hearts made just for them. Thanks for all your wisdom and straight talk. You are appreciated!
Christina B.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:55 am
*big hug* Mike I’m so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are yours my friend. Love ya!
July 13th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Mike,
I am so sorry for your loss – I know Millie was not just your best friend, but well, MILLIE! My heart goes out to you – please know how much I care. We will all miss hearing about Millie and her antics.
Bettie
July 14th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Hi Mike,
I always enjoyed your stories about Millie, I’m very sorry for your families loss. I’m sure Millie is chasing rabbits and squirrels in Heaven right now.
God Bless,
Marci
July 14th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Ahh that was HARD to read. I am so sorry Mike…
HUGE hug from Idaho.
July 14th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Mike, we are very sorry for your loss. Millie was a loyal friend always, not judging nor condemning, but accepting you and Ruth with unconditional love each and every day! Embrace the memories. Millie will never be far from your mind and will live forever in your heart. <3
Kevin and Elizabeth Coutu
July 14th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Mike- thinking of you & Ruth. A beautiful friendship to be treasured always.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Mike,
I was so sorry to hear about Millie. Your stories of Millie always brought a smile to my face.
Having lost my companion of 8 years, I can completely relate to the pain you are feeling. Honestly, it doesn’t ever go away completely – but after a while you can look back on your life together and smile at the memories, rather than sob because of the hole they have left.
Amanda
July 14th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I’m so sorry to hear this. (((HUGS)))
July 14th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Aww Mike, I’m sorry! You’ve spoken so much about Millie over the years, it was like she was part of my family as well. Millie grew up with a great family. She’s probably running around right now in doggie heaven! I know how hard it is to lose a furry member of the family, so BIG HUGS from my family to yours. Millie will be missed.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Well I’m crying like a goober. How we love our fur babies. She was a good and faithful friend and running buddy. RIP Mille the Wonderdog!
July 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Dear Mike, I cry with you today as I learn about Millie. I know how much you love her and I’m sure most of us have been touched by losing a cherished ‘furry’ part of our families at some point in our lives. As you can see we ALL loved your Millie stories and I’m sure I can speak for the others on here: Feel free to share any Millie stories with us any time as your memories flow. We will miss her too. Hugs and prayers to you and your wife. ~Lori O
July 19th, 2009 at 9:35 am
It is really sad to read about the loss of a great friend and companion. I’m going on 60 and still
get teary eyed when I read about people losing their “Little Buddy”. I think everyone here misses
Millie, even though we hadn’t actually “met” her. Millie would wish for your broken heart to mend
soon, and recall the fun times in your lives that you enjoyed sharing so much. Good Wishes, my
friend, and God Bless.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
What a sweet, loving face! After reading your column, I am sending you my loving condolences and care as you mourn the loss of Millie. May the love and memories she shared fill you each day and give you peace.
Blessings.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:09 am
Hi Mike,
I also had a Brittany Spaniel, and it seems my “Lady” sounds exactly like your “Millie”
Her specialty was running away and taking me for a run as well.
I am so sorry for your loss.
June