First Person
Dog Sweater, Never Worn
”For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Until I looked it up just now, I always thought this memorable 6-word novel was by Ernest Hemingway, but Wikipedia informs that that is a misattribution.
That’s the sad fate of the striped Lucky Dog sweater I made in a fever a few weeks ago.
Our little Olive the terrier got very sick last week. She left us on Monday, in my arms and in the care of her beloved (more honest adjective: tolerated) vet, Kim, with one of her human siblings by her side and the other attending from far away, via FaceTime. May we all be mourned as heartily when our time comes.
Kind readers of MDK have been laughing at Olive’s antics and following her career as a sweater muse and model ever since she came to us in 2009, at 8 weeks old. In photos she always came across as dainty and cute, which she was—but she was also short-tempered and snappish, with a shrieking bark that froze the spine of many a startled tourist in Central Park. Taking a page from the Chicks, she was not ready to make nice—ever.
We are reeling at the abrupt end of her iron-pawed reign, but she certainly had a great run, literally and by any measure. The turkeys and deer of Eastern Long Island can rest easier now that she’s gone. She never let them get away with anything. One toe over the perimeter, and she was ON IT. As the kids would say, Olive stood on business.
We will be telling Olive’s tales as long as we live. For all her anxiety and biteyness, she understood the assignment: distracting us in the aftermath of Peter’s death, bringing silly joy to kids who were still kids and giving me plenty to do in my long, ineffectual quest to potty train her. She fascinated us, and she foiled us. She ruined textiles without mercy, until I finally conceded that rugs are not that big of a deal.
When in the company of good-natured, easy-going dogs, we felt a little disappointed that it was so easy to match wits with them. We relished our girl’s spice. Olive made us play on her level—and lose. She convinced us of many ridiculous things. In her triumphant dowager years, she had everything her way, from her preferred Kirkland organic ground beef, gently warmed, broken into tiny terrier morsels and served directly on the kitchen floor (bowls worried her) to her absolute veto power over any handyman the building sent to our apartment. A hissing steampipe or slow drain could wait until Ali’s lunch break—or day off—was over; he was the only Olive-approved carrier of tools, and that was final.
Here she is in August 2024, at age 15, as we will remember her.
Semper feisty, sweet girl. It may have been entirely against your will, but you were a good dog.
I’m so sorry Kay. As the owner of a crotchety but beloved old dog, I feel your loss.
Kay: So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful piece in her memory. I still have a small backpack with a leather strap that Olive almost chewed through at a book club gathering almost fifteen years ago; I’ll enjoy using it today in tribute. XOX.
Sorry for your loss. You eill hear her little feet walking in your apartment and see her just in the corner of your eye for years to come. It’s hard to loose your fur baby.
I’m so sorry for your loss. My all four legged friends be as well loved and understood. She lived her best life, thanks to you.
Blessings on the spicy spirit of Olive. No dog wore a sweater like she did. And kindness and condolences to her humans. What a gift you had for understanding her and loving her just exactly for her very self.
So sorry for your loss. Our canine friends become the rhythm of our lives and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute to Olive. As the wife of a vet who performs euthanasias in the clinic and in homes, I hear many stories of the passing and the meaning of cherished pets. So glad her passing was with her loved (and tolerated) ones. Wishing you and your family peace and comfort.
Oh Kay, I’m sorry she’s gone, but so grateful for the smiles and laughs your tales of her antics and misdemeanours brought. Sending love xxx
Oh, Kay—I send my heartfelt sympathies. Though not a pet person, I have suffered other grievous losses in my life. Sit with it. Knit ( obviously). And it sounds like you have many funny and bristle-y memories to comfort you. Sending hugs, Elizabeth
That was a brilliant remembrance, Thank You. I had a good dog too for 12 years, and I raise my coffee this morning to all the pups before and to come: laughter, distraction, and beating heart that is On It!
I was recently thinking I hadn’t read anything about her for awhile. I’m so sorry.
I will always treasure the time that Olive forgot herself and accidentally sat next to me for longer than a minute. Allowing me to think that maybe, just maybe I was a member of an elite club. I never made it in, but I never stopped hoping.
Sending cashmere wrapped hugs to all who loved her. ♥️
What a beautiful remembrance of a life well-lived, and on her own terms. Thank you for the reminder of how precious these companions are, warts and all. Especially the warts. Much love to you!
What a lovely tribute. So sorry. She had the best dog life ever.
So sorry for your loss. This was a lovely tribute. As one who has loved and lost a beloved pet I feel your sorrow. There will never be another one like her.
So sorry, so sorry.
Sweet Olive,
I had the privilege of being mostly tolerated by her, and in return loved her endlessly.
Her memory will always make me smile.
I am so sorry dear Kay.
You were the only person who got into her good graces without a hazing.
Good girl! Sending love to you all. My good girl left us too, but they’re still with us , don’t you think?
Oh, what a loss. She will be missed
Many blogyears ago I “narrated” Olive in a comment, and Belinda replied, “It’s as if you KNOW her!” She was right, it was as if I did.
A fond farewell to Olive, and a hug for all who loved her. You gave her such a long and lovely life.
Oh, Kay, such sad news about your spicy girl. The pups are a big chunk of our hearts and memories. She wore her sweaters so well.
Hugs, hugs and hugs
So sorry. I remember when she came into your life. Seems like you gave her a happy one. ❤️
Oh Kay I’m so sorry! I’ve so loved hearing about her adventures over the years. Grief pets are extra special – they take on the role with such vigorous responsibility. Sending extra love and giving my pup extra pats in Olive’s honor tonight.
❤️
Beautifully written, so sorry for your huge loss xxx
Safe passage, Olive; good dog.
Oh Kay! I’m so sorry for all of you! What a gift she was.
Many condolences to you and your family. I remember when Olive burst on the scene and enjoyed following her escapades. She will be missed.
Everyone who has ever loved a pet, shares in the grief of those who have lost a beloved and faithful companion. So sorry for your loss.
Oh, Kay and family…. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your memories with us so that we can also shed tears and feel your pain. What a mighty tribute you’ve penned for Olive. Hugs.
Terriers always rule, as you know Kay, and Olive was among the very best. ❤️
So sorry for your loss.
Oh Kay, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Olive with us. I loved logging in to see what she had done this time.
So very sorry for your loss. She was lucky to have been a part of your family, as you were lucky to have been a part of hers.
Godspeed Olive
Semper feisty indeed. A beautiful tribute for a gal who had a wonderful & cozy life. It’s been a joy seeing her antics over the years. I’m so sorry.
I’m so sorry to hear about Olive’s passing. Your words are a loving tribute to a great friend. Those who are remembered with love never truly pass away. Sending hugs.
Such sad news. I always enjoyed her appearance in your writing and social media. This is an exquisite homage to her. Thank you for sharing her with us.
What sad news! I am so sorry for your loss. Olive was adorable and Ialways loved whenever you wrote about her.
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Thank you for sharing such a moving tribute to Olive. That last portrait you included is especially beautiful.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Sending a beloved pet to their next stop is the worst, best decision one has to make. The worst for us and the best for them. Sending love!
No Rainbow Bridge for Olive. Only Valhalla will do for her.
Made me laugh! Yes, I’m envisioning the final scene in Gladiator…fields of gold!
What a beautiful tribute to pup of such spirit. She was, through your words, part of the MDK family for years. She will be missed.
I feel your loss, Kay. I have had a lifetime of multiple dogs, all loved to the very best. Olive was like two dogs. The charming, smiling one modeling sweaters in all of your pictures. And the one you describe, only you knowing her best. I will miss all of her for you, she really must have been Miss Personality, in person. May her memory memory be for a blessing.
What fun and special memories of a beloved pet. It is so hard to say goodbye to them. May Olive yap her way over the rainbow bridge.
I’m so sorry Kay. I have enjoyed reading about Olive’s prickly personality over the years. She reminded me so much of my cairn terrier Pepper that we had when the kids were younger. Though she was little, she was fierce!
I’m so sorry! She was a delight! And such a good knitwear model!
So sorry for your loss of a great companion. Nothing wrong with a little spice.
So very sorry for your loss
Oh dear Olive…I like to think she and Luna are again on their walks together in Central Park, with Olive happily trotting along atop “her” special wall.
She was one of a kind, and will be dearly missed by multitudes.
I am so sorry for your loss Kay. Olive really wore her knits well.
I am gutted by this. And the fact that we too have an anxiety ridden, barky girl named Olive (or Ollie). She tolerates few people and has a few friends in nearby dogs but she is territorial to our house and is indignant when someone breaks her perimeter. Everything you wrote about your sweet girl sounds familiar so maybe you can take solace in the fact that another feisty Olive lives on and will continue her legacy. And thanks to your Olive, my Olive lives in her Lucky Dog Sweaters. I’m currently knitting her third – a striped one based on yours. Sleep well, sweet Olive
With your Olive the mission continues!
So sorry for your loss. Dogs are such a gift in our lives. May memories of her feisty personality keep you smiling.
Oh dear. This special girl will be missed. She made her mark as an individual. I’m sure you are known throughout the neighborhood as “ Olive’s mom”
So sweet! Loving a dog, feisty or not, is one of life’s greatest gifts.
A day that always comes too soon.
Farewell, Olive.
So sorry for your loss of Olive, Kay. All dogs leave an impression, and the bad ones seem to leave double. Losing my own good bad dog a decade ago took a piece of my soul that I didn’t know existed. Thinking of you and all of Oliver’s family and friends.
“Though she be but little, she [was] fierce.” RIP Olive.
I’m so sorry Kay. Olive was a character who provided us with smiles and laughs as she stood her ground on whatever issue she took on. I never met her but I’m teary at her loss. Hugs to you.
I’m so sorry, Kay! Our pets are our little buddies and best friends. You gave her a good life and she in turn gave you her friendship and devotion and unconditional love. There’s a reason dog is spelled God backwards. He knew we needed these faithful companions. Enjoy the memories
So sorry for your loss, we do love our animals.
Kay, I am so sorry for your loss. It’s so very hard to lose a pet (member of the family). She lived her best life with a family that loved her very much.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing the four legged ones is always so hard. May her memory always be a blessing.
Sorry for your loss. She will go down in the books as a queen among dog models.
My heart goes out to all of you♥️ who were inner members of Olive’s clan. May she live on in your laughter and tears as you all continue to share tales of her shenanigans and her unique way of loving you.
So sorry ❤️
So sorry for the loss of such a good friend. All of her quirks just made her more special….and eternally knit worthy.
Oh, I am so sad for your loss. I know what it is to lose a so-loved and feisty, furry-faced family member. I will miss news of Olive. Thank you for the wonderful obituary. Please accept my deepest condolences.
What a lovely eulogy to Olive. I always thought it was a great name for a dog and loved hearing of her outsized personality all these years. My condolences to you and your children.
I am so so so sorry! I know how our dogs take a chunk of our hearts with them wherever they go. deepest condolences!
So sorry to hear this and the account reminds me of how much I loved the blog when it was only your letters and many accounts of individual and canine doings. It was a different thing and I still enjoy it but did love that sense of personal connection.
I am so sorry to read this, Kay. Poor Olive. What a wonderful family you were, for her
She will be missed.
So very sorry for your loss. May you find peace and solace in her memory.
This is the best eulogy I’ve ever read. Godspeed, Olive.
Such heartfelt memories that only grace those who live with a special dog. Condolences.
I’m so sorry. We were also ruled by a tiny tyrant who was almost 17 when she left us, almost a year ago.
I am so sorry!
Beautifully written. You will always miss her… ❤️
It is NEVER easy to say goodbye. She, and you had a good life. And shared that with so many. Thank you for that. Her sweaters are a lovely legacy.
Oh no. I am so sorry, Kay. It is so hard to say goodbye to our beloved fur friends. I loved your posts about her and felt that I knew her. May her memory be a blessing.
Oh Kay, she will be sorely missed by all of us. I am so sorry.
My heart goes out to you during this sorrowful time. May your memories last a lifetime.
I am so sorry for your loss. I am caring for an old, but lovely and demanding, cat at the moment. He too gets whatever he wants, whenever he wants it. I am sure that you have a huge hole in your heart at the moment; hoping it gets filled with warm memories over time.
Oh, Kay. I’m so sorry! I love that you have so many great memories of Olive — and photos! Peace & love to you all.
I’m so so sorry. Olive was a good girl, in the best terrier way possible, and an excellent sweater model and muse!
I am so very, very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute. Thank you so much for sharing her with us over these years.
My heart breaks for you, Kay, and all of your family. Olive brought joy to all of us.
awww RIP Olive. She was one of a kind .xoxoxox to you all
Wishing peace and comfort to you and your family as you remember Olive’s intelligence and feistiness. I remember her from the start of the blog! And I’ll miss her.
So sad to hear of your loss. People who have never owned a really terrific dog have no idea how much it hurts when they pass.
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Olive. Pets are so special and will forever be in our hearts. Sending love and comfort.
This is a perfect remembrance of her.
Oh..I am so sorry. This tribute was beautiful and you will have happy memories after awhile. I lost both my oldies over the summer and I am now thinking of opening my heart again to a couple more.
So sorry for your loss Kay. Furbabies are the best. RIP Olive. ❤️
Sweet and sour little Olive. Kay gave you the best life. I am sad for all who loved and feared you.
I saw the post title in my email and let out an involuntary “No!” I’m normally good with words, but have none at the moment. So sorry, Kay. Sending hugs.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Aww, sorry for your (“semper feisty”!) loss, Kay! What a personality it sounds like that pup had!
My deepest condolences to you all. I am the servant to feline that mirrors Olive’s personality. Thank you for all the Olive content over the years. She was an absolute Icon of Doggiedom.
I love the stars in her eyes in that last photo. She knew stuff! Very sorry to hear of her passing, I know the pain of that.
ohhhhhh…. olive!
rest with the angels and run with the deer!
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. She was widely known and loved. It is a beautiful thing to have such a creature in your life, and a horrible but inevitable thing to lose them.
I remember my fascination with her sweaters. It fueled inspiration. I loved every Olive post. I am for you. My pups, kitties and I send you and your family love. I thank you for memories and inspiration of a fashion dynamo
I am so sorry for your loss. Olive was quite the character. Sending love sand hugs your way.❤️
It’s so hard to say goodbye to one who knew your kids when they were young. I remember when she joined the family. Condolences to you all –
Dear Kay,
May “Little Olive” rest in peace. Dogs are our lovely companions. I am sorry for your loss.
Barbara (owner of 10 LB Tilly”
I’m so sorry, Kay. Thanks for sharing her with us. I always admired her feistiness. Rest in peace, Olive.
Oh man. Olive. So sorry.
Oh Olive! She brought so much love to your family!!! These little furry creatures scurry into our lives and make a warm place in our hearts to love forever. Love and hugs to all!
Oh, sweet Olive. So hard to lose our constant companions. And hard to believe it was 2009 when she came onto the scene. Time….
Condolences to you, your family and everyone who will miss her.
Oh, Kay, I cannot begin to express my sorrow for you. There probably are worse things than having one’s dog die in your arms, but at that moment, and to be honest, for the next several years it doesn’t seem possible. The next wave is the unending torrent of people who will ask you if and when you will be getting another dog, Again, it’s not even in the realm of possibility for now and that’s OK. I am SO sorry, and I will not attempt to make you feel better…just understood.
Oh Kay. We all have loved the tales of Olive. She modeled knits with the grace of a super model. Love to you all from Kentucky
I am so very sorry to learn of the passing of your beloved.
I’ve had to say goodbye to many of my own.
May she be over the Rainbow Bridge and out of pain and romping happily with her fellows.
With love from a sad heart.
Many sympathies to you. It is so hard to send our fur babies on to their next chapter. She was loved, and your lives were enriched. A good run, indeed.
Such sad news Kay, I know how they become family and how they live in our hearts forever when they leave. Sending hugs to you, Carrie and Joseph. Thank you for sharing Olive with us, she wore her many sweaters wells. xx
I’m so sorry to read about your girl, gone too soon (almost always the case, isn’t it?)
We lost our irascible boy to a sudden illness right before Christmas and it’s still very hard.
I’m so, so sorry, Kay. What a wonderful little creature she was. May her feisty memory be a blessing.
Oh sweet Olive. Your humans and human fans will miss you.
What a loving eulogy! You immortalize her whole personality! Blessings on you as you grieve your loss!
What a lovely eulogy
Oh, Kay, my heart goes out to you! What a beautiful tribute. You can tell by her “expression” that she was well-loved. She knew that you gave her the freedom to be herself – feisty. All of us who have lost a pet commiserate with you. You gave her a very good life. RIP, Olive
I am so sorry, Kay. Olive was so very lucky to land with you and yours. And I’ll bet the reverse is true, for all her feisty ways. For such a small dog, I imagine she has left a big hole. Hugs.
I’m so sorry, Kay! This is a lovely tribute to a very special dog…you shared a good run together. Thanks for sharing her stories with all of us over the years.
It’s sad to lose a fur baby. They are such an important part of our family. They always greet us with smiles and joy. Love us unconditionally. Like all the dog sweaters you showed here. You gave her the best life a pooch can have. Blessing to you ❤️
What a beautiful tribute to your sometimes-sweet, but always darling girl.
Kay and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Our pets ground us in time and space with love.
May memories and photos of her ease your grief
Aw, I’m so sorry Kay. It’s so very hard to lose a beloved pet. I’m glad you had many wonderful years with Olive.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Fur babies are family.
Made me cry and remember my pets. It was a fitting memorial.
Heartbroken for you and the family Kay. I so enjoyed coming along to follow all the knits for Olive and all her antics, especially learning to use the ramp with hand knitted rug so lovingly made. How lucky we are that you shared her with us. Fly high little Olive❤️. Hugs to all of you!
I’m so sorry
I am sorry I never read your blogs about her. She sounds like a personality worth knowing. Your tribute is quite lovely, thank you for sharing your heart with us. I am so sorry you lost your friend.
Olive, may you continue your feisty-ness on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. You will be missed.
You allowed her to grow into her best, happiest, most expressive self, and she delighted you as you enjoyed her and indulged her preferences and quirky ways. The very best relationships. I admire your writing about animals, especially about Olive, and especially now. Wishing you well as you navigate round Olive’s absence.
A beautiful tribute for a sassy girl.
Kay, Olive had a great life with you and your crew. Pets touch our hearts so very deeply. Your tribute to your spicy girl does you both credit. Condolences to all that loved her.
Oh, Kay… I am so, so sorry. I will be holding all of you close in my heart in the next days and weeks… it is a hard, hard, hard thing to say goodbye to such a very good girl.
Be tender with yourselves and may Olive’s memories bring comfort and joy to your days. XO
Oh my goodness. Kay, I am so, so sorry. Poor sweet Olive — run free and keep those wild turkeys in their place.
I’m so sorry, Kay. I will be nicer to my cranky cat today in Olive’s memory and not push her off my lap when I’m trying to knit.
Oh Kay I’m so very sorry for your loss! Our pets are our family. I lost my elderly dachshund George Clooney “handsomest dachshund ever” last month and there’s a big hole in our family that is George shaped. I’ve so enjoyed following Olive’s adventures since I found MDK 5 years ago. I’m sure she’s terrorizing squirrels and handymen over the Rainbow Bridge. Hugs.
RIP George Clooney! I have to say that I follow about 500 dachshunds on Instagram and they are *very compelling* to me.
May Olive’s memory be a blessing. Condolences to all who loved her and her spicy personality.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful remembrance of Olive’s well-lived and well-loved life. She was as lucky to have you as you were to have her. She certainly made me smile and laugh over the years, as do you. Love to you both.
I’m so sorry Kay. Thank you for sharing Olive with us.
Condolences, Kay. What a lovely, funny obituary for Olive.
Kay, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Wishing you and yours peace and good memories.
Such sad news, I’m so sorry. Little dogs are sacred, especially the naughty ones.
We should all be so loved.
Thank you for sharing her adventures with us.
Hugs and love to you from me and my fur kids. Olive leaves a furry hole in your heart, but how great are the memories.
She will be missed by all of us.
She was a dear girl and her perky face brightened many a day for readers. We will miss her.
Olive has felt like one of my own pack of terriers. I’m so sorry, and know how hard this is. Thank you for sharing her (and her wardrobe) with us for not enough years. She will truly be missed.
I am so sorry for the loss of Olive. You were fortunate to have each other and she will always live in your memories. You gave her love and a good life.
As a lover of dogs, been there. My deepest condolences and much love goes to you.
I’m so sorry for your loss, it always hurts.
There is now an Olive shaped hole in our universe. Please accept my condolences and sympathy.
I’m so sorry for your loss. We have a giant old Labrador who is losing his back legs. He’s 14. It’s very hard. I always thought that was Hemingway, too.
You may know this poem – I find it comforting and like to share it when we inevitably lose those wonderful friends we call our dogs.
In My Good Death
-Dalia Shevin
I will find myself waist deep in high summer
grass.
The humming shock of the golden light.
And I will hear them before I see them and know
right away who is bounding across the field to meet me.
All my good dogs will come then, their wet noses
bumping against my palms, their hot panting,
their rough faithful
tongues.
Their eyes young and shiny again.
The wiry scruff of their fur, the unspeakable
softness of their bellies, their velvet ears against my cheeks.
I will bend to them, my face covered with
their kisses, my hands full of them.
In the grass I will let them knock
me down.
That’s unbearably beautiful. I was just saying I envisioned some kind of “last scene of Gladiator” situation for her, but maybe for me too! We’ll walk in fields of gold.
So sorry for your loss, Kay.
So sorry for your loss of Olive Kay! These photos of her in her made with love sweaters are heartwarming. We lost our 18 yo cat Molly last yr, its just horrible, I empathize. Its still so difficult to look at photos.
May her memory be a blessing.
I’m so sorry.
A life well lived and loved. So sorry for your loss.
I am sorry for your loss. May Olives’s memories continue to make you smile. She was a feisty little one. We love our fur babies.
Sorry to hear. I’ve admired how accepting you’ve been of Olive’s feisty nature. Olive was a great sweater model. Wishing you well.
Losing them is so hard! But you do get to fall crazy in love again with the next one!
May Olive’s memory be a blessing! So sorry for your loss, Kay. Love the posts that included or referred to her. And those sweaters… she wore them well.
Much love and many hugs❤️ Thank you for sharing Olive with us.
So sorry, dogs are the best!
Such sad hard news. I’m so so sorry to hear it. It is clear Olive was a true character – one of a kind. I hope the memory of her stubbornness, eccentricities and love will bring comfort in the coming times.
I am so sorry for your loss. It seems clear that the joy of her life remains with you.
Olive will always live in your heart and provide you with funny and endearing memories! I remember the “working dog” pattern you included in one of your first books where the dog’s coat doubles as a mop pad and you slide the pup across the floor on her back! I’ve been a fan ever since!
Kay, I’m so sorry to have this news. It’s never easy to lose a beloved pet, but I have to agree that Olive had a very good run. Virtual hugs.
Such sad news! I enjoyed reading about Olive, her modeling campaigns, and the repairmen and squirrels she terrorized. MDK won’t be the same without her. My deepest condolences to you, your family, and all of Olive’s friends and admirers.
Sending all the love and hugs to you and your family, Kay. It was an honor to meet sweet Olive and to be her roommate for a night or two. I was lucky to know her (and I love how if you met her once, she’d remember you always.) I think we all adored her from close up and far away and we thank you for sharing her with us. And of course, her many dog sweaters. (When I saw this stripey sweater pic this morning, I cried a few tiny tears … with a little smile for sweet Olive because she was the best and we’ll all love her forever.) xoxoxo.
So sorry Kay. 4-legged kids are the best. It’s amazing how those quirky habits become part of your life.
Kay,
So sorry for your loss. You must miss her so much. My prayer would be for beautiful memories to console you, even though no one could ever replace her.
So sorry, Kay. Olive inspired sweaters for our old pup that passed two years ago, as well as our new puppy. Losing pets is heart wrenching. Thank you for sharing her with us.
I am so sorry, Kay. I loved Olive. I also had a spicy dog, Rose, who I lost in December. She was exactly Olive’s age, and I always loved that they had so much in common. Olive was a great dog.
So sorry to see this news, she was such a character and loved from a distance by so many. I recently lost my 14 year old cavalier spaniel, and they leave such a hole in our lives when they are gone. Big souls and big hearts.
I started crying as soon as I saw the title. It is so hard to lose a beloved pet. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for this beautiful remembrance of a unique spirit.
I’m so sorry. As the personal attendant to a spicy terrier mix myself, I understand the joy of being one of their small inner circle.
Ooooh, I so remember when Olive arrived on the scene. RIP, Spicy One. Amazing the impact such a tiny dog makes on so many lives. Hugs to her humans.
A lovely tribute for your sweet pup ❤️ We love them fiercely when they are here and our hearts break when we have to say goodbye.
Kay, I am sorry for your loss. May Olive’s memory be a blessing to you and your family.
That was an amazing tribute! I’m crying and smiling at the same time. What a character. I’m sure the memories will be a comfort forever.
Sorry for you giant loss.
Oh, Kay:: my heart is full of knitterly warmth and love for you and your family.
I am sorry to hear about your loss of Olive. Loosing the love and the bond we have with a quirky pup is a tender wound. Be well and please keep sharing her stories
Sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family, Kay. Little terrier dogs with great big personalities leave holes we feel deeply and learn to live with eventually. Nobody and nothing takes their place. We had a pair that lived long good lives and left us within weeks of each other. Messes and destruction aside, they are still missed and remembered with so much love and humor for their unforgettable antics and personalities, and unquestionable love to our family.
Onward into what’s next for your beloved spicy Olive. Take good care, we are all thinking of you and yours and wishing you peace.
So sorry, Kay. The bonds with our pets are beyond all reckoning. Beautiful tribute to your girl Olive, capturing your love for her despite everything. You gave her a good life, on her terms.
I am so sorry for your loss of Olive, and am sending you a hug. It’s deeply sad when we lose our pets. Their lives are so awfully short. What a blessing it is that their stories go on for years. Olive sounds like an enormous character; may the tales of Olive and her ways bring deepest solace through the grief.
Thanks for sharing some of them with us x
What a character Olive was! Spicy is a brilliant way to be. She was one of the best knitwear models I’ve ever followed. Big comfort to you and your family, Kay.
Kay, I’m so sorry. Ms. Olive was such a good dog. My beloved terrier mix Mick Germain Giancarlo Milo Tobias Quentin passed this December 21 to the Happy Lands where I’m hoping my mom is spoiling him absolutely silly (as if that were even possible, I did my best) with treats and forbidden foods. (The boy did love his McD cheeseburgers.) His ‘gotcha day’ was June 21 2008 we think he was around 6 months old then. Like Olive, he a constant source of joy and my own very faithful companion. He woke me every workday with a nose in my ear, and somehow knowing it was the weekend, wouldn’t allow me to leave the house to run my Saturday errands without him. When the summer weather forbade little dogs in hot cars it was a struggle getting out of the house. He’d dance, spin in circles and would yap on my return home, even that final week. Like Olive, Mr. Dog is sorely missed. Thank you for sharing word of her passing… may flights of angels accompany her…
Beautifully written. Brought tears to my eyes. We said goodbye to our 19-1/2 year old cat, Keddie, two weeks ago. She also brought me to moments of frustration as she peed on my knitting projects and in the dog beds until we finally realized she just wanted a kitty litter box. And always wanted to be in the middle of whatever was going on, sitting on my knitting because my lap belonged to her. She too maintained hierarchy in our household, so I understand how it worked with Olive. Aren’t we forever grateful for what our household pets give to us. Life wouldn’t be the same without them, and we will always miss them when they’re gone. Thank you for sharing, Kay.
Always in the middle…
I’m so sorry. Our furred friends loom large in our lives regardless of the wee paws. It was always fun keeping up on Olive’s antics from too far away to clean up or suffer from them. She lived a star’s life on MDK (& likely elsewhere). May memories bring you joy and comfort.
Wonderful tribute to a deserving dog. It’s a real bitch losing them.
What a lovely tribute to a special dog. They do make such a mark on our hearts! I’m so sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful tribute to a unique girl. I’m so sorry for your loss, Kay, and thank you for sharing Olive’s exploits with all of us. Hopefully Her Feistiness would be happy knowing that she brought a lot of joy to a lot of people, even those who never met her in person. ❤️
I hope your Olive finds our Tootsie on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge! Kindred spirits! Lovely epitaph & you’ll have a lifetime of stories.
So so sorry. It’s absolutely wrecks us when our little pups leave us.
One of my early MDK memories, I think in the blog days of yore, reported on a photography workshop, perhaps, or at least a photo shoot session of knitted items. There was a photo of you juggling cell phone, camera, and Olive (or at least camera and Olive). She was already or on her way to becoming a modeling diva, apparently insisted in getting into every photo, and the only solution was for you to carry her around the entire time.
Exactly a year ago this weekend I had to say goodbye to a wonderful 17+-year-old cat after a sudden diagnosis. I am so sorry for your loss, but understand how lucky we are to have the great stories that remain.
Sending you ahug
I am teary as I read your beautiful tribute to an amazing Olive. I am so sorry for your loss. Feisty and full of love. Sounds perfect. They leave a very special mark on our hearts. Sending hugs to you and yours.