LJ Idol: My Favorite Pet (Week 21, Topic 2)
therealljdiol Entry #2: My Favorite Pet
When old friends visited, a shaggy dog hobbled to the door to greet them. He no longer jumped and panted excitedly like he once did. A look of confusion passed over these friends' faces. "Dammit Erin, is this the same dog?" I'd smile and nod. "Yeah. My one and only dog."
I grew up with cats. I loved cats. But at the same time, my mind strayed and I wanted to play with dogs. I read dog books and longed to own one of every breed. I begged for a puppy, and whenever we passed signs on the road listing puppies for sale, my mom or dad obliged to stop and let me play with the puppies until I had outstayed my welcome and had to return home. I had a pet-shaped hole in my heart.
Then, when I was 11 years old, it was discovered that my cousin, Melissa, could no longer keep her 2 year-old cocker spaniel at her new apartment. She had bought him for $550 and could not stand to sell him like an object to someone else. So she gave Max to us.
He was a very dear, sweet dog. He never bit anyone, and he only barked when people were at the door--a very strange bark, if you've ever heard a cocker spaniel bark. He loved children. Something that always broke my heart is that he always looked like he was crying. No amount of cleaning could rid his face from those brown teardrops. Max wasn't quite the same after his best friend, Dad, died in 2003. Dad used to throw his rubber hamburger and take him for walks, and he used to let Max sleep on his lap in the armchair. When Dad was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, Max would spend his nights howling. And when Dad passed away, Max would sit in the doorway watching Dad's empty bed expectantly, as if he was waiting for Dad to return.
I hate how pets age so quickly while we grow old so gradually. In the 13 years my family kept our cocker spaniel, I suffered through puberty and blossomed into a young woman. But my foot has a long journey before it steps in the grave (provided I die of old age). Max was an incontinent old man, knocking over the garbage can and whimpering at the kitchen table. All the while shuffling around the house and gazing at us with his puppy-dog eyes, misted with cataracts. He lost his sense of hearing several years ago; we stomped on floors to let him know we were nearby.
Max was put to sleep in August 2006, much to our sadness. I had moved to Kentucky by this time, and I was devastated that I hadn't gotten to spend one last day with him. But Max wasn't done with my family just yet. Two weeks later, Mom called me.
"You won't believe it, but Max sent us a letter. From Heaven."
I asked her to read the letter to me.
Dear Mom, Ben and Erin,
Well, I made it!! Getting all settled in here in heaven. Thought I'd drop you a line to put your minds at ease.
Check-in went smoothly. God actually explained to us "newcomers" on Friday that some have misconceptions about heaven. There is NOT a separate heaven for pets. He explained that pets would NOT actually be happy in a separate area because their true happiness comes from being with their owners & families who love them. He said dogs can only sniff each others' butts, chase cars & frolic with each other for so long & then they need that companionship & hugs & praise from their families for true happiness.
SO, GUESS WHAT?? I'm sitting in Dad's lap in a big, cushy recliner!! He looks great!! We're going to watch the Steelers game together tonight. We were so excited to see each other--but I didn't pee myself as I would have before!! There are none of those embarrassing accidents up here!!
I saw Uncle Paul last Saturday--boy was he surprised to see me!! He looks great, he has his "original" legs back & he was telling me he spends a lot of time playing with Boomer (Moe's dog), & reminiscing about the good ol' days. I think Uncle Paul was expecting to see you, Mom, before me, with your bad heart & all. I told him you just got a nw knee & he said he wished he was there to massage it for you! man, he hasn't changed a bit!! He invited me over to his "cloud" tonight to have crackers & Cheez Whiz with him & Boomer--we'll all eat & fart & laugh & he'll probably do that "fake-out throwing the ball across the room"--gets us EVERY TIME!!
Erin, please design a real cool marker for my grave. Everyone up here likes to compare with each other. I want mine to blow their minds!
Got to run, the designer is finally here for my "cloud." I have to give him some input. It's already pretty plush but I'd like to add a few perks. A massaging chair, a fridge, a large mirror would be nice. I wish I could get my bed from home, but they don't like to "move" stuff from Earth, it freaks out the "survivors."
Give my regards to Aunt Peggy--she & I really bonded when she came to help out when Dad was sick. I don't feel the same connection to Aunt Betty--I always wondered why she didn't like me--my God, I'm GORGEOUS, I'm kinda smart, I was never too much trouble til recently! Maybe we can start out fresh when she gets here. I want to talk to Grandma Elizabeth & Grandpa Woody about her. Oh, and Aunt Mary--well, she LOVED me like I was her own son!! Oh those days when I'd stay with her--it was like heaven on earth--I could sleep on the bed, lie on the couch, watch TV from the recliner, she treated me like a king!! She & Uncle Paul really babied me & I ate that up! Those were the days!!
Mom, I know you are probably lonely & sad without me around, but I had a wonderful, long life with all of you & I couldn't have asked for more. When I describe my life to some of my new buddies, they are amazed at how "cushy" it was. I guess not every dog had it quite that good!
Well, guess I'll close for now, going to the dog buffet. Do you know we don't even get sick if we eat "people" food--we can eat all kinds of things!! They have a devil's food cake...yes...even HERE!! Man it's the best!! And I don't gain weight! This is truly HEAVEN!!
All my love, your son,
Max
All dogs go to Heaven after all.
When old friends visited, a shaggy dog hobbled to the door to greet them. He no longer jumped and panted excitedly like he once did. A look of confusion passed over these friends' faces. "Dammit Erin, is this the same dog?" I'd smile and nod. "Yeah. My one and only dog."
I grew up with cats. I loved cats. But at the same time, my mind strayed and I wanted to play with dogs. I read dog books and longed to own one of every breed. I begged for a puppy, and whenever we passed signs on the road listing puppies for sale, my mom or dad obliged to stop and let me play with the puppies until I had outstayed my welcome and had to return home. I had a pet-shaped hole in my heart.
Then, when I was 11 years old, it was discovered that my cousin, Melissa, could no longer keep her 2 year-old cocker spaniel at her new apartment. She had bought him for $550 and could not stand to sell him like an object to someone else. So she gave Max to us.
He was a very dear, sweet dog. He never bit anyone, and he only barked when people were at the door--a very strange bark, if you've ever heard a cocker spaniel bark. He loved children. Something that always broke my heart is that he always looked like he was crying. No amount of cleaning could rid his face from those brown teardrops. Max wasn't quite the same after his best friend, Dad, died in 2003. Dad used to throw his rubber hamburger and take him for walks, and he used to let Max sleep on his lap in the armchair. When Dad was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, Max would spend his nights howling. And when Dad passed away, Max would sit in the doorway watching Dad's empty bed expectantly, as if he was waiting for Dad to return.
I hate how pets age so quickly while we grow old so gradually. In the 13 years my family kept our cocker spaniel, I suffered through puberty and blossomed into a young woman. But my foot has a long journey before it steps in the grave (provided I die of old age). Max was an incontinent old man, knocking over the garbage can and whimpering at the kitchen table. All the while shuffling around the house and gazing at us with his puppy-dog eyes, misted with cataracts. He lost his sense of hearing several years ago; we stomped on floors to let him know we were nearby.
Max was put to sleep in August 2006, much to our sadness. I had moved to Kentucky by this time, and I was devastated that I hadn't gotten to spend one last day with him. But Max wasn't done with my family just yet. Two weeks later, Mom called me.
"You won't believe it, but Max sent us a letter. From Heaven."
I asked her to read the letter to me.
Dear Mom, Ben and Erin,
Well, I made it!! Getting all settled in here in heaven. Thought I'd drop you a line to put your minds at ease.
Check-in went smoothly. God actually explained to us "newcomers" on Friday that some have misconceptions about heaven. There is NOT a separate heaven for pets. He explained that pets would NOT actually be happy in a separate area because their true happiness comes from being with their owners & families who love them. He said dogs can only sniff each others' butts, chase cars & frolic with each other for so long & then they need that companionship & hugs & praise from their families for true happiness.
SO, GUESS WHAT?? I'm sitting in Dad's lap in a big, cushy recliner!! He looks great!! We're going to watch the Steelers game together tonight. We were so excited to see each other--but I didn't pee myself as I would have before!! There are none of those embarrassing accidents up here!!
I saw Uncle Paul last Saturday--boy was he surprised to see me!! He looks great, he has his "original" legs back & he was telling me he spends a lot of time playing with Boomer (Moe's dog), & reminiscing about the good ol' days. I think Uncle Paul was expecting to see you, Mom, before me, with your bad heart & all. I told him you just got a nw knee & he said he wished he was there to massage it for you! man, he hasn't changed a bit!! He invited me over to his "cloud" tonight to have crackers & Cheez Whiz with him & Boomer--we'll all eat & fart & laugh & he'll probably do that "fake-out throwing the ball across the room"--gets us EVERY TIME!!
Erin, please design a real cool marker for my grave. Everyone up here likes to compare with each other. I want mine to blow their minds!
Got to run, the designer is finally here for my "cloud." I have to give him some input. It's already pretty plush but I'd like to add a few perks. A massaging chair, a fridge, a large mirror would be nice. I wish I could get my bed from home, but they don't like to "move" stuff from Earth, it freaks out the "survivors."
Give my regards to Aunt Peggy--she & I really bonded when she came to help out when Dad was sick. I don't feel the same connection to Aunt Betty--I always wondered why she didn't like me--my God, I'm GORGEOUS, I'm kinda smart, I was never too much trouble til recently! Maybe we can start out fresh when she gets here. I want to talk to Grandma Elizabeth & Grandpa Woody about her. Oh, and Aunt Mary--well, she LOVED me like I was her own son!! Oh those days when I'd stay with her--it was like heaven on earth--I could sleep on the bed, lie on the couch, watch TV from the recliner, she treated me like a king!! She & Uncle Paul really babied me & I ate that up! Those were the days!!
Mom, I know you are probably lonely & sad without me around, but I had a wonderful, long life with all of you & I couldn't have asked for more. When I describe my life to some of my new buddies, they are amazed at how "cushy" it was. I guess not every dog had it quite that good!
Well, guess I'll close for now, going to the dog buffet. Do you know we don't even get sick if we eat "people" food--we can eat all kinds of things!! They have a devil's food cake...yes...even HERE!! Man it's the best!! And I don't gain weight! This is truly HEAVEN!!
All my love, your son,
Max
All dogs go to Heaven after all.