You were a birthday gift to myself. I remember the day I brought you home from work and you sat there in my wife's lap overweight and released a nervous fart that nearly gassed us off the road. Our first night together you slipped under the sheets of the bed and made yourself at home. You have been my ray of furry sunshine, the subject of my bad art, comic strips and satire. You are a main character in a book I am writing and in my life. I taught you how to dig potatoes up in the garden and moles in the yard and you taught me how to love again. We have enjoyed many fine walks in the park where you have enjoyed the business of marching, marching, marching. I will never forget you knocking at the door to be let in and we would look to see who is knocking and have to look down to see your stubby tail wagging, in anticipation of coming back inside and getting a tasty treat. You had your own swimming pool which you enjoyed every summer whenever you wanted. The very mention of the word SQUIRREL would send you running full speed and bouncing four feet off the ground to get outside. I always marveled you didn't hit your head on the door knob! I have always enjoyed your look of amazement that we would wash you just after you have rolled in something rotten. I remember you spending half a day in the garage trying to figure out where the birds in the wall lived. You would stare at a spot in the wall all night long in the house where bats lived. You were a quiet Jackie Russell. You didn't bark often, you didn't know how to vocalize until we taught you. Then you would vocalize for us every day we came home from the comfort of our bedroom upstairs. I loved the way your hair stood up from head to tail whenever another dog walked by our house. We sang many Mattie Furpants songs to you and you moaned softly whenever we had to leave you to go to some place that discriminated against dogs going in with us. I was horrified seven months ago to find out you were going through renal failure. You never complained, continuing to go about your business digging holes, going on five mile walks and jumping around enjoying your day. I write this today with a clenched throat, unsteady hands and eyes that are not seeing too clearly. You are tired. Tonight we sleep together one last time. We hold you, try to make you comfortable. You will not complain. Tomorrow we take that long, difficult walk from whence my wife and I will return alone. Tomorrow we say goodbye. Mattie Girl, Mattie Furpants, Mattitude, my ray of furry sunshine. No rain, no storm can dampen how I feel about you. The terrible burden of pack leader will never be greater than tomorrow. Goodbye. We love you Mattie Girl!
5 Comments
Zoe
6/20/2013 05:36:39 am
Beautifully written. Thank you , Dean.
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Brad
6/20/2013 08:57:52 am
It's a sad day to learn that Mattie is no longer staring out the window..
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Diane
6/20/2013 12:27:05 pm
Dean and Zoe
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Amy
6/21/2013 03:09:12 am
Dean and Zoe,
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9/6/2013 05:42:37 pm
What a lovely tribute to Mattie. Such a special friend. I am teary-eyed at your family's loss. She will have free reign on the other side, this I know :3
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