Soulmates, some people believe there is one out there for everyone, and they are just meant to be with this person. Others are more skeptical and feel there is not just one person for them and can love many. For me personally I don’t believe I have a soulmate, and love has always been a game of loss for me, but this blog has never been about humans, it’s about the beautiful animals in that I have had the privilege and honour of knowing, some for a moment, others for most of their lives. And anyone who knows Flipflop, knows of his one true love, Miss Ellie. There are so many stories and memories I have of those two.

When the heartbreaking news was delivered that Miss Ellie’s time was coming soon, I knew it would impact Flipflop in some way but wasn’t sure how. We had experienced loss together; we lost Dupont, when Flipflop was just a baby, Buddy and Angel left, but Flipflop only bonded with Sixx out his feline brothers, and of course Dahlia. Dahlia’s death impacted him hard and seeing him grieve was worse than my own grief. Seeing a dog heartbroken is devastating. Although Miss Ellie didn’t live with us, I knew he would go through something. When we lived in Ontario, Flipflop would want to see Miss Ellie every day; Janet would bring Miss Ellie down to my place on her way to work to let them spend time together. The only time he didn’t see her was on daycare days, and even at that, Janet started sending Miss Ellie once a week with him so she could see him.  

Flipflop would get down on weekends, because he wanted to be with Miss Ellie, sometimes I would text Janet and ask her to drop Miss Ellie down at my place if she was going out, so he could see her, or invite her over for a glass of wine for if she was free. He wanted to see his girl every day. In a human relationship, this would be clingy and annoying, but to see a dog so infatuated with another was adorable. 

Out west, Janet and I live in different parts of town, so they no longer had daily visits, but Janet and I get together 1-2 times a week most of the time, so they still got lots of time together. As they got older, they played a lot less but would always give each other nuzzles. If Janet and I didn’t have plans, and 5 days went by without us getting together, Flipflop would go to my car during his walks, and wait, as if he was asking to go to Auntie Janet’s to see his lady. So, I would text Janet and ask if we could make plans as soon as possible. 

Miss Ellie’s passing was planned, after a diagnosis of cancer and understanding her days were limited. Janet made the responsible, but difficult decision. The night before our final goodbye, Janet had a gathering for anyone who was close to Miss Ellie to come and spend one last evening with her. Of course that included her fiancé, Flipflop. He and Miss Ellie nuzzled one last time, and it broke my heart to know it would be their last. 

At the end of the night, we asked Flipflop if he wanted to say goodbye to Miss Ellie, she was in her bed in the bedroom. Flipflop was confused and jumped on Janet’s bed, I think he thought he was spending the night. Realizing he didn’t understand, I said my goodbyes for the night and took my boy home.  

I couldn’t help to think how it will impact Flipflop, when he asks to go to Janet’s to see Miss Ellie, and I take him and she’s not there. But to my complete shock and surprise, since Miss Ellie’s celebration of life, Flipflop has never once asked to go to my car again. He somehow knew she wouldn’t be there. I sadly joke with Janet that as far as Flipflop is concerned, there is no longer a need for us to remain friends. 

I worried about the first time I did take Flipflop to Janet’s, if he would look everywhere for Miss Ellie and not find her. But he didn’t. He somehow knew she was gone. Someway, somehow, through his connection with Miss Ellie he knew she was no longer physically here with us.  

When we go to Janet’s now, Flipflop is happy to see her and Hazel, but he has lost his spark. He used to run straight in to see his girl. Now, he goes right to the dog’s bed to look for treat crumbs—after all, he is still a Potcake looking for scraps! 

The other noticeable difference is he’s aged since losing Miss Ellie, I mean he is almost 12, so it’s to be expected, but since Miss Ellie left, so has his youthful energy. Even as a senior he had a playfulness to him, now he’s an old man. He is still healthy, a momma’s boy, and enjoys a good roll on the grass, in the snow, or unfortunately sometimes the mud. He’d still throw me in front of a bus for treat, but his crazy side left with Miss Ellie. Their love was keeping him young. 

Losing his sister broke his heart, he missed her and mourned her, losing Miss Ellie, hit him in a completely different way, she not only took pieces of our hearts, she took a part of Flipflop’s soul with her.