12 years ago our family got a wonderful blessing. We heard
through a friend of ours that there were two dogs that had been abandoned in a shopping
cart in front of the Pet Smart. Of course our kids wanted to go over to see
them. I had an appointment with a client at the gym. We all went to the Pet Smart
and there she was, a 3 month old black lab. Dad, can we keep her? My wife, what
do you want to do? My answer, I need to go to the gym. I will let you guys figure
it out. I remember my client asking me how my day was. I said we just got a dog.
Really? he said. Well, I know when I get home, there will be a dog sitting
there. I left it up to my wife and kids.
As a young dog, Duchess was …well…that perfect combination
of adorable and just plain bad. Weren’t there two steaks on the counter? Honey,
where did that pecan pie go from Costco? This is the third keyboard in the last
5 weeks. The joy of a puppy. Naps with the kids and playing ball were her two
most favorite things. Ask anyone who came over to the house and got the privilege
of being handed a ball by her, then had to keep throwing that ball over and
over and over. The cats and Duchess always seemed to get along. Truthfully I think
she thought she was a cat for the first year, picking up many of the same wonderful
habits without that entitled persona (all of you who also have cats know what I’m
talking about).
Duchess picked up a friend along the way, Dexter, her high
energy best friend. Dexter would love to steal her ball and took the greatest
pleasure from playing keep away. She would whine at us as if to say tell the brat
to give it to me. A well-paced swat by her paw usually took care of the problem.
It was not Duchess who was the lucky one that we found her.
It was us who had the joy of her absolute love and affection. We were the lucky
ones.
A few hours ago our Duchess took her last breath. She judged
no one and loved everyone. I know many say that our animal friends don’t go to
heaven. I don’t think it could be heaven without them. I know you have a ball
in your mouth, wagging your tail and someone just figured out dogs don’t get
tired in heaven. Love you Dutch.
