It’s been 7 days.
7 days.
6 nights without a welcome home and 6 mornings without a scrunchy-faced hello.
No drive by “so what are you cookin’ today” moments.
No yard tours. No dinner aides. No coffee partners.
7 days.
7 days without my buddy.
And there’s just so much I have to tell him, so much.
So if I could, I’d tell him about a new project we’re working on and how much fun we’re having and he’d nod his head in agreement because he always knew that’s what I needed. And then I’d tell him about working to find just the right person to fill a job that’s come open, and he’d nudge me and tell me, in his own way, to trust my instincts and how they’ve always served me well — after all, they were right on spot with him. And then I’d share the news that Mom’s looking at maybe – just maybe – moving after 61 years on the farm. And he’d stay silent and close because he’d know .. he’d know that a decision likes that deserves nothing less than respect and reverence.
And after we’d checked on all things outside and had supper and taken a walk that was just long enough but not too much for him, I’d hug him close and whisper the words I said to him every night of his life, “You’re the best dog anyone could ever wish for. The very best. And there’s just no one better.”
And with it, he’d close his eyes and sigh and smile, guard our secrets and he’d know, know deep in his soul, that he had the kind of life other dogs can only dream of.
“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight.
And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.” ― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog
Sure miss Frankie-bear aka Captain Cuddles; an Emjayandthem(c) photo
