Raynbo Opalesque at Blyss
“Opal”
October 21, 2004 – July 7, 2006
“We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.”
~ Irving Townsend
With this thought ever present in our minds, I am going to tell you the story of Opal, a dog we loved. It was a life not only “even more temporary than our own”, but tragically brief. Opal was ill during her brief life and died before her time. Although her death hurt us like nothing could ever hurt us more, ”we cherish memory” in ways that have made her immortal for us.
This website, sharing her life story, photographs, essays and poems and other writings, are just some of the ways we honor and memorialize Opal. We would like to share them with you.
“…And a lady always knows when to leave.”
As many of our friends know, our youngest borzoi, “Opal” Raybo Opalesque at Blyss,
has been ill for some time. It has been heart wrenching to see her fail to thrive, waste
away, and know something was wrong but not know what. To know was worse. She
fought hard to live. Sadly, she lost.
Opal will always be remembered for her beauty, sweetness and grace, and that her time
with us was much too brief. I believe she had a career as a show dog in her future,
although perhaps not equaled to that of her great dam. That stopped being important to
us, if only she could be well. Opal was happiest when she could be at home, making
everyone feel special with her unique style of affection, tapping you with her paw to get
your attention, or leaning into you to be scratched behind the ears, or licking your hands
and face. Still, I would be a liar if I denied regretting the loss of so many “what could
have beens” for her. Truly, she was robbed. With her passing, we lose much, too: Opal’s
infectious joy, the heart of our home.
Opal’s untimely departure makes me recall a wonderful line from one of my favorite
movies, Fried Green Tomatoes.
“It’s all right, honey. Let her go. Let her go. You know, a lady always knows when to
leave….”
Thank you, Roni and Jennifer Zucker, for sending Opal to Blyss. We shall always be so
grateful.
“Opal,” Raynbo Opalesque at Blyss
October 21, 2004 – July 7, 2006
“May we meet again, Dearest Little One.”
Lorene Connolly & Robert Dwyer
Blyss Kennels
Mountainside NJ