No Hili dialogue today; Emma died

March 18, 2014 • 3:01 am

I am sad to report that Emma the Dog, the faithful companion of Andrzej, Malgorzata, and Hili, died yesterday—or rather was relieved of her suffering. Emma was old (13 years), had heart problems, and her body simply wouldn’t function any more. After she fell down the stairs yesterday and injured her leg, the vet, Andrzej, and Malgorzata decided that it was time for her to go. Naturally, all is somber in Dobrzyn, and I send my condolences to all who mourn her. She was a stray who showed up, was eventually tamed, and had many good years.

Here is an announcement sent to me this morning:

Empty house.
Emma is no longer with is.
What does Hili understand?
Probably nothing, except a strange atmosphere of sadness.
We will return to our dialogues tomorrow.

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In Polish:
Pusty dom.
Nie ma już z nami Emmy.
Co Hili z tego rozumie?
Zapewne nic, prócz dziwnej atmosfery smutku.
Jutro wrócimy do naszych dialogów.
I’m adding this photo of Emma and Hili in happier days; it’s from Andrzej’s Facebook page:
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54 thoughts on “No Hili dialogue today; Emma died”

      1. Today, I think, we should call Emma a dog.

        And never mind yesterday’s questions of immortality; Emma’s sixteen years, though obviously bountiful, were nowhere near enough.

        b&

      2. They are not sure how old Emma was. She turned up at the Orchard 13 years ago. From Andrzej –
        “Today we said goodbye to Emma. Thirteen years ago, she stood at the gate – hungry, emaciated, stray and scared. Slowly she learned confidence and the joy of life again.”

  5. Peace out, Emma the Dog.

    And condolences to Malgorzata and Andrzej. It always sucks to lose a good friend.

  7. I am truly sorry to hear the sad news. Nothing hurts so badly as losing a family member.
    My condolences to Malgorzata and Andrzej.

  8. Most of us do know this feeling. It hurts and hurts so much and so, so long.

    The Whole for us others then: the sustaining and, eventually, uplifting memories.

    So long, Emma.
    Blue

  9. We lost our dude after 17 wonderful years. I can look back and trace the growth of his personality from youth to old age and I will swear that he had opinions, pleasures, friends and enemies. He was as alive and interested in life as any of us. Without a word he knew the difference between a joy ride and a trip to the vet. He preferred sleeping in a warm laundry basket over his own bed. He hated water but loved to ride in the boat. He refused to play fetch because it was beneath him. He was a distinguished old gent, but at the end he lost weight rapidly within a few days and he quietly passed while snuggling on the couch watching a baseball game. He’s been gone now as long as he was alive and every so often he pops up in my dreams. I miss my buddy. Best wishes to Andrezj and Malgorzata Hili.

    1. Sorry for your lost and also for Emma… Your comment reminds me of when I was younger and lived with my parents and had our dog Comtesse for many years. She was not a pet but a companion. Dogs a wonderful companions. I have 3 c*ts because I’m lazy and dont feel like going outside at -20. But c*ts are like plants on legs. Nice to have around but dont compare to dogs. All right I dont wanna get kicked out by Mr Coyne. C*ts are okay to. 😉

    2. My girl Judy couldn’t see the point of fetch either. I’d throw a stick. She’d bring it back. I’d throw it again. She’d look at me. I still desperately miss her.

  12. Such sad news. Very sorry for your loss. My condolences to Andrezj, Malgorzata and Hili.

  13. The spectre of the day that you have to say good bye to a cherished pet is always there even when the pet is young. I wish we bred them for long life.

    I’m glad Andrzej and Malgorzata took Emma in, gave her a good life and were with her at the end. I’m sad that Emma had to go. My condolences Andrzej and Malgorzata.

    1. So sad. My Currie (Currsanthemum) is almost 12 and I can’t bear to think ahead. My previous Ouaga(dougou) made it to 16. Currie will be stiff after our hike in the snow today, but she’ll go flat out while we’re on the trail. Such joie de vivre and no pacing herself…

    1. Emma was Andrzej’s and Malgorzata’s dog in Poland.

      So very saddened and tearing up at your loss, Malgorzata, Andzrej, Hili and Jerry too. It’s good that the vet could relieve her of her pain and spare her more suffering.

  15. Please convey our sympathy for losing a beloved friend. It is always so sad, so hard – time will not fill the hole in your hearts but it will diminish your sorrow. Take comfort from the cherished life you gave her.

  17. My heart aches at the thought of the missing that will ensue. Even Hili will notice Emma’s not there anymore. Our last remaining cat seems to miss her sister. I’ve always wished I could read our pets’ minds.

  19. My condolences. Even when you know it’s to relieve a pet’s suffering, it’s still a sad event when a pet dies.

  20. Condolences too – I enjoyed seeing the rare shot of Emma here.

    I lost my faithful beagle mix Madison at around 17, about the time WEIT was released. He was a great companion to my kids (even joining with them on the slide at the playground when they were little), and to me after they moved on. He’d to go out to fetch the paper for me every morning, and PCC met him not long before he died.

  23. So sorry to hear of the loss of Emma. She was fortunate to have a beautiful, loving life, with dignity and the Compassionate Gift at the end.

    We know that those who leave us go nowhere but into the ground,
    Entering the earth as all must,
    Dissolving into rainwashed silence.
    The bones reveal the same unseen brightness
    As sprouting seeds, creeping roots, coiled larvae,
    And radiating nets of mycelium
    Strung with the felted cinerary urns of puffballs.

    But we still say of dogs
    That they now follow Orion,
    Of humans
    That they have crossed the Oldest River,
    Of cats
    That they have leaped the Iron Gate.

    Because the glittering stars and the old, flowing waters
    Stir memories,
    And when we walk the border between garden and wildland,
    We touch the red ochre in the earth
    And feel the same iron that trickles in the blood,
    And rolls in the earth’s core,
    And glows new in the furnaces of dying stars.

      1. Thank you. I wrote it this morning. I lost a cat two weeks ago and am still watching lemon flower petals fall on the fresh earth.

        1. I’m sorry to hear of your loss.

          I often think of how wonderful it is that evolution has made it so that we can have such deep connections with members of other species. I’d never in a million years be able to say it with such grace as you have.

  24. R.I.P. Emma and condolensces to A, M, and H.

    I last had this experience with my 22-year-old kitty. Same thing: The body gave out on her. She had been completely deaf for at least 5 years and had dementia for the last 1 or 2. But she was still a sweet, tolerant (of young children’s antics), good friend, right up until the last day or two.

  25. Oh, dear. I’m so sorry. Please take comfort in knowing she had a wonderful life with you. She was beautiful.

  27. I’m so sorry and so sad to hear of this. I’ve lost several canine and feline friends. They leave an empty spot in our lives. When Jerry was posting Poland, I looked forward to an occasional shot of Emma with Hill.

    My thoughts are with Andrzej and Malgorzata and Hilli.

  28. Emma was actually about 16 years old. (According to the vet she was about 3 years old when she adopted us). People told us that she was homeless for about two years and lived in bushes on the river strand. A very wise mongrel and grateful companion. Our home is empty without her but it was time. Thank you for your compassion.

    1. “…when she adopted us.” She must have been very smart indeed. Sixteen is quite old for a dog; such a long and happy life she had with your family.

  29. I loved seeing the two of them, Emma and Hili, heading out for the territory, glad that they had time together, time often shared with us.

    I’m thinking of the three of you and sending good energy from here to there.

    I will miss the lovely named Emma and am glad that our paths crossed.

    Take care.

  31. Thank you all for your kind and feeling words. We needed them. A bit over a year ago we had two wonderful friends and companions, Darwin and Emma. Hili had a doting Grandfather in Darwin and a stern but friendly Aunt in Emma, who tried to discipline (ineffectively) this spoiled kitteh. Now both are buried in the garden under the huge hazelnut bush and with a lilac bush nearby, and the house is empty.

    Thank you.

    1. a favorite requiem, Mz Malgorzata and Mr Andrzej, “ by the crepe myrtle bush ” for darling ones such as Gideon, Lillian and Lillian’s brother when they are finally done with “ gonna ride the wind … … up around The Moon and back again: ” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p7fwY3rXzs

      “ … one thing they don’t tell you ’bout the blues when you got ‘em, ” = and for remembering, too, Emma and my Moxie Grace OwlFace, the loveliest Maine Coon ever, for whom I dug down and buried under the fragrant lilac as well … … just a wee nine months’ time ago,

      Blue

  33. My sincere condolences as well. We have been through this 5 times,4 dogs and one wonderful cat. Thank you Jerry for posting this.

  34. Rest in peace, Emma. Condolences Andrzej, Malgorzata, and Hili.

    Isn’t it wrong that a 91 year old human in Emma’s condition, who suffered a bad fall, cannot choose a humane end like Emma had, with full support of family, friends, and the law?

  35. I look forward to reading the Hili dialogues each morning. This morning was a downer. My condolences to the family.

  36. Andrzej and Malgorzata,

    The love we receive and offer our pets is priceless. Its an interesting and wonderful product of evolution that we can bond with another species so completely. I understand the sadness that comes with their departure. We have deep sentiments, particularly for the strays. I know I do.
    I am happy for Emma, she found a good home. I am sad she had to go. May your sadness depart and a new friend arrive.

  38. Mein herzliches Beileid, Andrzej and Malgorzata. It is so painful to let a family member go. And in the case of a dear animal, they don’t understand what’s going on, you can’t explain to them why you have to say goodbye. That is so difficult. I wish you lots of strength in this sad time, lots of support from all your fans, in Poland and across the whole globe. Viele Grüße aus Berlin, natalie.

  39. I am so sorry to hear this. My condolences to all the family. I hope Hili doesn’t take it too badly. A cat acquaintance of mine went into a bit of decline after her d*g died, large patches of fur were lost and it was many months before she was well again. Cats don’t like losing family members either.

  40. Once again: many thanks to everybody. As I just wrote to a friend: Emma had a good life and she should have had a good end (and she did). So I’m not crying over her but over us who are left without her. Words of friends are helping to fill the empty space.

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