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October 2012 ~ ROSIE; A GREAT IDEA
It started out as just an idea. We were moving to a new town and the kids
were already starting to get upset at not “ever” being able to see their
friends again; oh, the agony of it all!
So my wife, Jane, and I thought it might be a good idea to get a dog; an
Irish Setter. We had one in the early
years of our married life, back in England, when kids weren’t even on the
distant horizon. Her name was Holly and
she emigrated from England with us and we loved her.
So, the idea turned in to an internet
search. And the digital trail took us
all across Ontario, Canada to a small town called Clinton, ironically just
a short drive by Canadian standards; and that is where Rosie was born. And that is where our idea became a reality;
this little vulnerable bundle of red with a tail like a rat.
The idea of getting another Irish
Setter was never in ‘the cards’ after we bade farewell to Holly because that
hurt; she was the first family member for Jane and me. Yes, dogs are family members in my book. I am not detracting from cats or hamsters or
any other of God’s creatures. But show
me a dog and I can show you a natural bond.
It doesn’t matter how short you throw the stick, your budgie isn’t going
to fetch it again and again and again.
Our children grew up with Rosie and
Rosie grew up with our children. Rosie’s
personality was as effervescent as any other healthy, happy dog. But my goodness, her character! Those that knew Rosie know all about her
character. My children learned a lot
about character from Rosie and so did I.
Personality is who you are, but character is what you are. Some people are known to have a split
personality but you never hear about a split character. Character is being afraid but doing it
anyway; like barking your objection at a stranger whilst making a run for it
behind the couch. Like ripping up the
Thanksgiving decorations (probably because there were no tissues available) in
protest for being left alone one Sunday morning and knowing there’ll be hell to
pay when everyone returns. Character is
spirit and Rosie’s spirit was not to be broken; not that we ever tried. If ripping up tissues was the main vice of
her character then so be it; and so it was, right up to as recently as this
month. As much as her back legs gave her
such pain it would not deter Rosie from scrambling up the stairs to check out
all rooms for tissues whenever left alone, no matter how brief. I adored Rosie’s character; fearless but
afraid, stubborn but unconditionally loving, pureness within mischief, honest
deceit. There was certainly some fiery
Irish blood coursing through the veins of this red haired wonder. Unleashed,
she could outrun the wind itself. What a
sight it was; her beautiful red ‘feathers’ from her ears to the end of her tail
just flying in her wake.
I know dogs bark at cars and even
sometimes chase said cars, but Rosie is the only dog I am aware of that
actively pursued cars vigorously whilst being a passenger in one! It was hilarious; for a short time there we
actually had to use a collar and leash on her, while she was in the vehicle,
for her safety and ours. But, like the
tissues, she never really gave it up; at least she toned it down enough.
If you’ve never had the joy, and pain,
of having a dog as a companion then you may not understand why tears are
flowing right now; and that my nose hasn’t run like this since I was but a
child myself. So if you’re even the
least bit curious, I highly recommend these three books because these authors
are professional writers and I am not.
- The Art of Racing in the Rain ~~~ Garth Stein
- A Dog's Purpose ~~~ W. Bruce Cameron
- Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog ~~~ John Grogan
These writers will take you on a
journey that every dog owner already knows; the journey of joy and love and
frustration and pathetic helplessness at one’s own yearning to make your
faithful friend better again. The aching
wont of not being able to tell your friend how grateful you are to have been a
part of such an amazing experience of unconditional and non-judgemental love. Oh, what an absolutely great idea our Rosie
was. You need to read these three books.
Today I had to let the idea go. Today, whilst our caring vet and my wife and
one of my now adult children and me were in tears but at her side, we had to let Rosie go
to sleep. But I’m not sure if I will
sleep so well on this night. Already, my
home is too big without her.
My heart, though, is so full of her
love and my memories of her that it feels like it is too full and fit for
bursting. Rosie was the best idea ever.
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