Pancakes for Dutch
We’ve all heard the saying, “Things happen for a reason”. It’s easy to believe this when good things happen to us. It’s not so easy to believe when we’re faced with difficulty, challenges and sadness. If you are believer in this concept, you know that you have to believe in it without conditions. You have to believe in it when both the good and the bad happen.
I am writing this post with a heavy and sad heart. On February 14th, we had to make the heart-wrenching decision to put down our beloved 11 year-old English Springer Spaniel, Dutch. I still can’t believe he’s gone. We weren’t ready to say goodbye to him yet. But this week, we were (cruelly) reminded that cancer doesn’t care if you aren't “ready”. We were reminded of the mortality of every living thing. We were reminded of the fragility of life. And despite our heartache, we held firm in our belief that things happen for a reason.
Dutch was an early birthday present to me from my husband, Peter. He had wanted to make it a surprise, but after his parents adopted their dog, Bella, I pestered Peter about getting a dog on a daily basis until he finally caved and we scoured the classifieds of the Houston Chronicle to look for English Springer Spaniel puppies up for adoption. We found a family in Sugarland with two AKC-certified Springers who had given birth to their first litter. We walked into their kitchen and sat on the floor to observe the puppies. Suddenly, one of the puppies waddled over and started nibbling on Peter’s shoelace. Decision made!
In the 11 years we owned Dutch, I would often (lovingly) rib Peter and tell him that if it weren’t for my nagging, we would have never brought Dutch into our lives and known the joy and love he gave to our days together with him. It was a privilege for us to be stewards of one of God’s creatures.
This week, as we sat in an exam room talking to the veterinarian, asking questions, signing release forms for diagnostic procedures and weighing an all-too-short list of options, I kept thinking of how Valentine’s Day will never be the same for us again; that it won’t ever again be a happy day for us. But the more I thought about this, the more I realized how wrong I was. I remembered the saying, There is a reason the word “dog” is “God” spelled in reverse. And I came to the conclusion that Dutch’s life and death were lessons in love. His life taught us to find joy in the simplest of things, to “go with the flow”, to take time to play, and to be present in our daily lives. Most importantly, the love he showed us day-in and day-out, despite all of our shortcomings, is a reflection of the unconditional love God has for us. As heart-wrenching as it was to let go of Dutch so suddenly, we realized that the only way to do right by him was to show him the unselfish and humbling love of knowing when to say goodbye. Dutch knew only love in his life and he died surrounded by love on a day of love.
When we came back home later that evening, our eyes bloodshot from crying, our heads pounding, I sat at my computer to look at pictures of Dutch. While clicking through the digital photo albums, I noticed the pictures of these buttermilk pancakes I made three weekends ago. I had intended to write a blog post about them within days of making them, but had decided to write about some different recipes instead. That’s when it hit me: there was a reason I decided to hold off on writing about these pancakes. I didn’t know it then, but I know it now. If you have read my “About” page, you know that Dutch loved pancakes. Although we rarely fed him “people food”, we would always save one pancake for Dutch on the Sunday’s I cooked them. It was a special treat for him and he would gobble up that pancake in ten seconds flat every time. It gave me so much joy to give him this occasional treat. Although I still plan to make pancakes for Sunday breakfast from time to time, Peter and I will never eat our pancakes without thinking of our Dutch-man, and our pancake Sundays will never be the same again.
Dutch
January 7, 2000 - February 14, 2011
Buttermilk Pancakes
Adapted from Martha Stewart2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
3 T. granulated sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups buttermilk
4 T. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for griddleHeat oven to 175°. Set aside a baking sheet near the stove top.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Add the eggs, buttermilk and 4 tablespoons of the melted butter and whisk to combine. Do not overmix--the batter should have some small to medium-size lumps.
Heat the griddle pan over medium heat until a droplet of water sizzles and evaporates on contact. Using a pastry brush, brush the griddle lightly with some of the reserved melted butter.
Using a 1/3 cup measure, pour the pancake batter onto the griddle, spacing each one about 2 inches apart. Cook for about 2½ minutes, or until the pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges. Flip and cook the second side for about 1 minute, or until golden.
Transfer the cooked pancakes to the baking sheet and place the baking sheet in the preheated oven to keep them warm while you cook the remaining pancakes. Serve warm.
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I'm so sorry about your sweet doggie. We had a similar situation when our Golden Retriever developed cancer many years ago. I still miss him. I hope Dutch has lots and lots of pancakes to eat up in Heaven . . .
I am so sorry to hear about Dutch. I know what it means to lose a furry family member to cancer. Keep making these in his memory, mi raccomando!
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. My old Collie, Princess, used to always get the first couple of pancakes we would make. No matter what, the first couple are dog pancakes.
I've heard there are plenty of pancakes in heaven for all the dogs to have :)
I'm so sorry for your loss, but agree with some of the comments... such a beautiful story of love.
As I sit here with tears streaming from my eyes, all I want to do is reach through my computer and give you a huge hug. Losing a dog is so difficult...but as they say, all dogs go to heaven. Dutch is probably enjoying a huge plate of pancakes right now. Much love to you and your family during this difficult time. xoxo
Flavia, so sorry to hear about your loss. Your pup looks so very sweet. Hopefully this beautiful stack of pancakes cheered you up. I too have lost pets and it is very painful. Eventually the pain subsides & you remember all the great times spent together!
I agree with Claudia about the heart shaped pancakes... :-)
I re-read your post today because it was so sweet. Valentine's may not be easy next year, but he wouldn't want you to never think of it as a happy day again. You can make Peter some heart shaped pancakes to remember Dutch next year. xoxo
Such a sweet face. It's wonderful you've been able to face this ordeal with such strength and understanding. It's obvious Dutch was very loved! I'll think of him when I eat pancakes too :)
What a beautiful story! True love!!
Love it!
What a sweet post. I bet Dutch can smell them from above :)