On losing my dog, Harvey...
I honestly don't know what possessed Betty and I to
adopt our dog Smokey in '93, but I know
why we adopted Harvey: we were seeking a companion
for little Smokey...
In January, 1997 we visited the
Humane Society of
Southeast Missouri
and we found a little black
Poodle much like Smokey.
As it turned out, someone adopted
the Poodle ahead of us! Harvey was not our first choice.
But, he never knew--he adopted us without reservation.
At the Humane Society, the volunteers described Harvey as
"nervous" and told us that he had been adopted once and returned.
But he sure wasn't nervous when he got to our house: he was happy!
For the next 13 years, Harvey
shared the house with us and his brother Smokey
and brightened our days with his smile.
He loved to ride in the car and go for walks.
In fact, he would say, "Go, Go, Go!" in a sort of
an open-mouthed growl every morning when it was time to go walkin'.
Harvey loved to run through the leaves when I raked them in the fall
and he had an odd way of sitting up on his hind end
to beg for snacks or table scraps.
He was always independent and never liked being picked up.
He didn't like the bath, though he always seemed happy
once he was bathed and cleaned.
In his old age, he slowed down...his walks got shorter by
his own choice. Some days, he didn't want to walk at all.
Looking back, he was probably feeling the early effects
of the cancer that claimed his life.
On a warm Sunday morning in June of '09, he let us know that it was time
for his departure. He had given us everything he had to give...
he held nothing back for all his days.
He's gone now, wherever good dogs go...
Harvey was a wonderful little dog who seemed to understand
that, as we go through life, we should take time to smell the flowers.
And he was my friend...
I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do
On the warm stone,
Nor at the foot of your bed; no, all the night through
I lie alone.
But your kind thought has laid me less than six feet
Outside your window where firelight so often plays,
And where you sit to read--and I fear often grieving
for me--
Every night your lamplight lies on my place...
I hope than when you are lying
Under the ground like me your lives will appear
As good and joyful as mine.
No, dear, that's too much hope: you are not so well
cared for
As I have been.
And never have known the passionate undivided
Fidelities that I knew.
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many-sided...
But to me you were true.
You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved.
Harvey's Obituary is here.
Here are some thoughtful links, too...
A Dog's Prayer
A Living Love
Various quotations regarding dogs.
Click here
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