TW: I’m going to be talking about grief and pet loss, if that’s too heavy for you you can scroll down to the photos or skip this email.
On Monday we said goodbye to the love of my life. Abbey the greyhound. I tricked Scott into getting a long dog nearly five years ago. I sold him on becoming a fosterer, how it’s an important step on the chain to get rescued racers a forever home. Of course, I had an ulterior motive. The second she stepped foot into our flat we knew we would fail at fostering.
We bought her a car she would fit in, a tartan hallway carpet so she wouldn't slip when she ran from our (her) bed into the kitchen and an endless supply of prawn crackers. In return she gave us unlimited happiness and love. She was the centre of our world.
She was there at the beginning of Rook Botanics. I was working full time when she got dropped on our doorstep. Trying to build a life and business with flexibility was in large part for Abbey. Afternoon naps on our bed were my happy place. She almost exclusively snoozed on my side of the bed though. Begrudgingly I’d nap beside her on Scott’s side.
We've picked out an ostentatiously large urn for her. It’s greyhound shaped and will sit on our hearth. We’re also going to scatter some ashes in our garden and plant something in her memory, probably a Hydrangea petiolaris. There will be a champagne fuelled party / funeral in the coming weeks. Abbey was cherished. I’ve not been able to read through everyone’s messages just yet, but in time I’m sure I will.
Yesterday we jumped in the car to enjoy Scottish scenery in the sunshine. We went up to Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven. We took Abbey here, on our first and only holiday with her. She despised the car. She was much happier snoozing on our friend’s sofas whenever Scott and I went gallivanting around Scotland.
I’ve picked a handful of photos of Abbey with flowers / nature and hanging out in my or my friend’s flower studios. Abbey’s time with us is so deeply weaved in amongst my decision to return to floristry and start my business, this felt like a fitting tribute.
She was the best assistant a florist could ask for. Happy snoozin’, Abbey.
With love,
P.S. Listen to me and Keeley Rees chat on her gorgeous podcast Creative Courage. It was a joyous chat, recorded just days before we found the tumour in Abbey. Keeley is a fellow sighthound owner and so there is some skinny dog chat during the episode. It just feels like the most glorious way to memorialise her.
You can find my episode ‘Making a joyful & beauty-filled life (even if you're a bit of a scaredy-cat) with Sarah Rushbrooke’ on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and lots of other places.
You were so lucky to have found each other xxx
This was beautiful Sarah. I love that she was such a part of your business as it grew. It looks like she was a very helpful assistant. She was so lucky to have found you & have the best years of her life with you. I wish they lived forever. I thought we had a deal. Lots of love. 🫶🏻🫶🏻