A Dog’s Life

I met my Master, Dad, and Best Friend, Alan, when I was just a puppy. I was born somewhere between Buffalo and Rochester. It was there that we first saw each other. I was so scared the day he visited. I was hiding in the corner as my two brothers went crazy for his attention. At that moment I noticed Alan point in my direction, then step over my bouncing, barking, siblings and walk towards me. He picked me up and said, “Hello.” I hesitantly tasted his face and knew we would be inseparable.

I spent my youngest days chasing baseballs, sticks, and rocks while taking unleashed walks. Everyday, even two or three times a day sometimes, the two of us would walk a few miles down the train tracks to our secret spot at the creek. It was here that I would overcome my fear of water. The creek was small, I could walk across it without getting very wet, but I preferred to jump over. I was told that this is where I was going to learn to swim but I didn’t think so! Each visit to our spot Alan and I would gather logs, sticks, rocks and all sorts of train debris. In just a few weeks we had built a solid walking bridge, however I still preferred to jump over the water. Alan then added the found train debris, discarded plywood, and old signs. The next day when we visited our spot. I was stunned to find our small creek had ballooned up to the top of our bridge with a small string of water, leaving behind the other side. Before I could figure out what had happened, a stick was tossed in the to middle of the pool. “Go get it!” What? I learned to swim my first Summer.

One of my fondest memories is of the day I discovered that I could run faster (and longer) than Dad. It was a crisp day at the ball field and I was shagging some fly balls when something grabbed my senses. A tasty, smelly, blackened, half-rotting Seagull… topped with living sprinkles. I had to have it! I saw Dad walking out to investigate the hold up, so I quickly scooped it up and ran. With Dad on my heels (waving a baseball bat) I ran fast; So fast I ended up alone on the other side of the field. This gave me just enough time to dine. When Dad reached me he was so discussed that I eat that mess. And now we both knew who was fastest. Dad just said, “Were going home!” What a great walk home. I felt so proud (and full), but something wasn’t right. It wasn’t soon after we got home in our room that my tummy was feeling funny. I looked up at Dad and he simply said “Don’t,” I opened wide and with my entire body, I heaved the Seagull up. As if you just changed the background from dirt and grass to bedroom carpet, there was a smelly, blackened, half-rotting Seagull… topped with living sprinkles. I learned a lot that day.

It wasn’t long before I met my Mom. I was always happy to see her. The sound of her car coming down the road was like the sound of the dinner bell. I would run to the window wagging my tail. From the second floor window I watched each of her steps to the door, because I knew she would have leftovers from work for me. Boy, I loved to cuddle with her on the couch too. My Mom and I loved to talk, I was great at keeping secrets.

This is also around the time I got one of my defining characteristics, my chipped bottom fang. Dad was skipping stones while walking down by the river in town and I just had to get one. I scouted my location behind some brush hanging over the river’s bank and waited. As Dad wound up and side-armed the stone, I pounced. In mid-skip I got it and it got some of me! My bottom right fang was chipped. I would do it again too!

After college I moved with Alan to Indiana. It was just us. Mom would come to visit when she could, but for months at a time Alan and I were alone in the Mid-West. We spent a lot of time talking, walking, exploring, grocery shopping, and going on long drives to no place. This is also the time when I learned how to catch a frisbee and play basketball (just defense though). Some of my fondest memories were with Alan in Indiana. Just the two of us.

We couldn’t stay away from Mom long and soon we all moved to North Carolina. It was a bit hot with my thick coat but I adjusted well. I spent the days working with Dad, late afternoons waiting for Mom on the second floor porch and nights in the kitchen with Mom doing something called “cooking.” I played mostly in town parks where Dad knew the men’s softball schedule and we would go the park days after. In the woods behind those fields is where I learned how to sniff out softballs. I was good and we made a great team. All I needed was a point in the right direction and I was on it! Over time we had collected several garbage bags full of game softballs.

Soon I got my own yard to watch over and play in; even shady trees to relax under. It was also in Charlotte that we added Archie and Tuesday to our family. I remember being told that I was a gentle, protective, loving, big brother and that I trained Archie as well as one could. Thank you Tuesday for your respect and keeping Archie out of my hair.

One day we all moved back to the north where I am originally from. I love the north and it’s my territory. I can run through the woods whenever I want, chew on sticks all day, swim in my pond and chase squirrels. I even get to play with my cousins way more often too. Though I’ve slowed down in my old age, I’ve become wiser.

I mention squirrels above… I finally got one!  Rather than chasing behind, I went directly to the squirrel’s escape tree and cut him off before he could reach safety. Dad quickly grabbed the catch and we all pilled into the car and headed to the taxidermy shop. That was my very first trophy. I was so very proud; Standing tall the rest of that day.

Before I got diagnosed with cancer, mom and dad were concerned because of the way I have been acting. They took me in and I had everything from blood work to x-rays to biopsies. It all pointed to cancer. They say it started in my kidneys and spread to my lungs pretty quickly. With my age and size I am very susceptible to a number of cancers in addition to anemia and hip dysplasia (both of which I also have). Treating this is not an option and I prefer to live out my life naturally with my family and pack at home.

Because of this recent news, I will be resigning from my duties at A3 Design. I hope that mom and dad continue my legacy through this blog and love all of the animals in their lives as much as they loved me.

Thank you all for your love and kindness throughout the years, and to those whom I’ve tasted, please forgive my protective K9 instincts. As I live out my last days with my family, I wish you all many years of health and happiness. I’ve had a great dog’s life.

Check out the photos that go along with this story  HERE.