Apr 07, 2017
A story about the girls and a butterfly
On our last full day on the Isla this plant finally bloomed. I had planted it the end of November and I got my first two flowers just after the girls were gone.
We have had two sets of dachshunds in our life. Channel died at almost three during back surgery and then Cloii died at five from poisoning in Mexico. We had already got Carmeh as a replacement for Channel. She was a puppy when Cloii died but once Cloii was buried she sat on her grave ever single day until we left Mexico. Soon after we got back home we got Caeli. So we really had two different sets of girls. Channel and Cloii were not with us long and both died tragically. Carmeh and Caeli were with each other and us for a long time which made it more difficult to say goodbye.
Channel and Cloii, a photo taken of a framed photo that we carry in the RV.
Caeli on our last sunset together.
…and Carmeh her trusty companion. Towards the end Carmeh took turns with Caeli and let her be the alpha dog at times.
Channel loved birds and butterflies and would watch them for hours. An hour before her second surgery we took her outside and sat on the grass and watched her watch them. That was our last memory of her. We have a piece of artwork in our yard which is a doxie watching a butterfly.
So ten days ago when we were putting them to rest on the Isla I stood with Carmeh in my arms at the back of the RV waiting for Colin who had gone to pick up the vet at the panga. Carmeh was always there waiting for Colin when he went out and I didn’t want her to wait alone. Suddenly a large blue and black butterfly flitted directly in front of us to catch our attention. As it flew away two orange butterflies came by and floated back and forth in front of us for over five minutes. They flew away just as Colin drove up. I knew that they were a sign from our first set of dachshunds that Caeli and Carmeh were going to be well received and cared for. That thought gave me the strength to do what needed to be done.
The next day as we were packing up Colin found a butterfly on our black tow shield, its pastel colors made it stand out, wanting to be observed. Colin thought that it was dead and brought it inside for me to see. He set it next to my desk where it sat with me for a few hours. I went outside to help with something and we both came back inside. The butterfly was gone.
We found it fluttering against the window wanting to go out.
Colin ever so gently carried it outside and placed it on the lovely flower arrangement that we had received from some of the RVers on behalf of the girls. A few hours later we had to move the bouquet to another area as we were doing some power washing. It stayed with the bouquet for the move and long thereafter.
At dusk when we went to look for the butterfly, it was gone.
We are confident that it will be flitting around our garden for a long time.
We were blessed to have had this visit. I like to think that it was a message to us. Why else would a butterfly play dead and sit next to me for a few hours and then go outside and perch on our memorial flowers for so long? Our girls were now all together. How special it was to have nature give us this message.
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Goodness, such love. It really comes through in all you have written. Life is, sadly, all too short for the pets that grace our lives. But then, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
They each leave their little footprints behind on our hearts, don’t they?
Stay well……thanks for sharing your thoughts with us all.
So beautifully and sweetly written! Blessings!!
Beautiful, and what a gift!
What a lovely sign.
This brought tears to my eyes Contessa.
I agree with you…..the circle of life.
When I saw the blog post title with the word “butterfly” I asked myself “I wonder if she has the same experience with butterflies as I do right after a hound has passed”?
I see you do and did.
I’ve had a few bassets and bloodhounds in the 19 years I have lived here. More times than I can count, butterflies have shown up soon after a hound has moved on.
Just a couple of examples: Why after the majority of the year of not seeing butterfiies, 2 walks per day, do 4 butterflies show up at once and walk for 25 minutes with me and the hounds I have left … or why does the most beautiful butterfly you have ever seen show up the following morning after having a hound pass and follows you for hours outside, then leaves never to be seen again?
You wrote a great tribute to your girls, well written. Remember the good times during your tough times.
What a beautiful story!
Oh dear, a special message indeed…. I try to pay attention to such things as I KNOW this happens…. To ease all of us thru hard times…
Such a beautiful loving story. Your girls are so loved and I hope Scooter and Ginger are running through the fields with them.