How My Dog’s Passing Changed the Dynamic of Seeing Theatre

Dedicated to Charlie 

I am a firm believer that going to the theatre with someone is better (in most cases) than seeing shows alone. 

The performing arts have been a part of my life since the tender age of 3, when my parents took me to see the Domeq Horses. I sat still on my mother’s lap, staring at all that was happening.  (According to my parents, I wish I could remember.) I clapped excitedly in unison with my fellow audience members during the curtain call.

Since becoming a member of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, my attendance to see plays has increased exponentially. Yes, receiving an invitation from each of the theatre companies in the county and beyond is exciting and humbling, especially when you love what you do. But like everything, it has its challenges because love can only go so far. Aside from coordinating a balance between my life and work schedule to accommodate the shows and their respective review, there are Charlie and Almendra, our beloved fur babies. Well, more like senior fur members because this year marked their 15th birthday. Almendra in March, and Charlie would have been 15 in December, but he did not make it after an almost four-year battle with Cushing’s and diabetes. He needed insulin twice a day, and we adjusted his schedule to accommodate my theatre-going schedule by administering his first dose at 5:30 a.m. and his second at 5:30 p.m., allowing enough time for feeding, medication absorption, and travel to the venues. 

The routine of coming back from the theatres most evenings never got old. We would go into the driveway, see Almendra peeking out the window, and then Charlie would go in and greet us. I would always ask for kisses, and he would take that as his cue to run away while I would scream playfully, “Where are you goingggg?!”. Obviously, after the theatre, fixing up snacks was often a must. Charlie would keep me company, and then we would walk together to the bedroom.

In mid-May, Charlie had a couple of slipups that deteriorated his health, and that coordinated balance changed. I started going to the theatre alone, and when I came back home, the greetings and snack fixing became fewer.

I have had many pets throughout my life. These two have a special meaning because I had the cat since my single days, and my husband Charlie since his. We got married and became a family of four. So they were with us during that whole hullabaloo amongst many, many others. 

Charlie filled my heart for almost 12 years, and on July 3rd, that heart was broken.

Going into the driveway now feels hollow. After almost two months of seeing shows by myself, my plus one is back, but everything is different now. Almendrita has not peeked out the window upon our arrival, and her behaviour is a bit off. Granted, she never got along with her brother, but animals know what’s up. 

I am adjusting that life-theatre balance once again, now without the greeting, the cuddles, or those little paws tapping on the kitchen floor trying to catch a snack. 

A pet’s love is pure and unconditional.

Thank you, Charlie.

Just like in the theatre, the show must go on. Life will go on.