What’s one thing you own that holds deep sentimental value?
We’re in the process of extreme decluttering. In the not-too-distant future, we’ll be moving from a five-bedroom house into a two-bedroom apartment. That means questioning just about everything we own.
A lot of it will go, including things with considerable sentimental value. I’m trying to find good homes for some of these possessions. Their new owners won’t share our memories, but hopefully they’ll appreciate the things themselves.
In the process, we’ve come across something that takes up very little space but has survived every previous attempt at decluttering. The collar of our first dog, Molly.
We were newly married when we bought her from a farm in rural NSW. She was a beautiful border collie, affectionate, energetic and full of life. She was part of our family for fifteen years, accompanying us through the early years of our marriage.
Then, the day before we were due to move house, her heart simply gave up. We imagined it was her way of saying, “I’ve had enough. Another house move is just too much.” It was heartbreaking.
We’ve lived in nine different houses since then, and somehow her old collar has come along with us. For years it’s occupied a little space in our fruit bowl. It’s old and tatty, but we’ve never quite managed to throw it away.
A few years ago, it was joined by the collar and leash of our second dog. She came to us as a mature dog needing a new home. She was a gentle soul who formed a remarkably deep bond with us. Her story was different from Molly’s, but she became just as much a part of our lives.
Neither collar has any monetary value. They’re no longer useful, and nobody else would want them. But they remind us of two beautiful dogs who shared our lives and gave us so much affection and companionship.
It’s strange how ordinary objects can acquire such significance. We don’t need the collars to remember the dogs. Those memories aren’t going anywhere. Yet there’s something about these small, worn reminders that makes them difficult to discard.
Whether they’ll make the transition in the next big move remains to be seen.
What’s one thing you own that holds deep sentimental value?
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