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The Family Dog

26/3/2013

5 Comments

 
Growing up, there was Blue. Blue the Mutt. He had the shortest, most bristly hair, not something that called out for long caresses. He had skin conditions, two different coloured eyes, and the body type of a Pot-Bellied Pig. He was, um, unfortunate looking. 

But that dog could love. He was a lap dog, despite being triple the size of one. He didn't yelp. He was obedient and kind, and he lived to be one hundred years old. At least that's how it felt. By the time I was a teenager, I couldn't remember a time when Blue wasn't there. 

Childhood passed and as I moved into adulthood, I didn't have a pet of my own. I was allergic to most, and lazy to boot. I adopted a kitten once, for about 2 days, before it scratched me and I pouted my way into having Mom take over its guardianship. Because, as some may know, my Mom is fully obsessed with keeping animals as pets. 

When my step-Dad's birthday was approaching one year, it was decided that a dog would be the only appropriate gift to give. We drove out to the animal shelter and found "Bailey", a pure bred golden lab. On the drive home with beautiful Bailey, we passed a blaring fire truck and were serenaded with the most heart felt howl we had ever heard. Bailey was thus christened "Chief" and we spent many years ever after listening to him howl at the cue of a siren.

Chief was patient as a soul could be. His ears were used as teething implements for all the children in his life. He was the least threatening dog in the world, and therefore the worst guard dog one could ever employ. When a drunk from Hess Village helped himself to Mom and Jay's couch in the middle of the night, Chief was found cuddled up on the couch next to him. 

No one concerned themselves more with your tears. If you approached him with an invisible ache in your heart, Chief knew, and would remain by your side until you felt better. He was possessive of his Master and was rewarded with a loyalty that never seized.

Yesterday, Mom and Jay said goodbye to Chief. Like Blue, I don't remember a time when they weren't a trio. It will be strange to imagine Jay sitting down with a coffee without Chief under the table, by his feet. Or Mom on the couch with a book, Chief curled up beside, letting out a contented side.  He was their best friend.
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5 Comments
Mom
26/3/2013 03:25:23 am

I don't know the words to say. I truly don't.
Thank you.

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Katie
26/3/2013 03:52:47 am

So sorry to hear, Theresa. Losing a pet is so hard.

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Donna
26/3/2013 08:29:03 am

My sympathy is with you, Theresa and Jay. Pets are like one of the family and I know he will be missed as one.

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Theresa
26/3/2013 09:38:00 am

Thank you both so much. He was so much a part of us. I was showing Ellie some pictures I'd had made a couple of years ago today on Skype. There she is at the crawling stage, with her hand in Chief's mouth, feeding him a cookie. None of us had any fears whatsoever of him harming her. He was that kind of dog.

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Sarah
5/4/2013 12:16:07 am

Aww that brought tears to my eyes xo

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    There is no how-to for making jams and jellies on this site.  Maybe there will be one day.  For now, The Canning Table is a big wooden metaphor for preserving memories while my family and I explore expat life.

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