July 2012 has
been one of the worst months for both Bubba and me that I can remember. I have been unable to blog this month. The
end of June was a wonderful visit from Amy and Amelia that I want to tell you
about, but my heart is too heavy right now to tell about those good days. I’m going to start with the worst and most
painful event first..
On July 24,
2001, a little buff colored cocker spaniel was born in Baton Rouge, LA. Amy had been watching for us a puppy and she
called to report that our search was over.
We named him “Archie”. Bubba had
just finished reading a book about a lighthouse keeper who lived on a island
with his dog, Archie, as his only companion.
Archie was the cutest puppy. For
some reason, his eyes were droopy and that just made him cuter. He was perfect for us. He was a low energy puppy who enjoyed naps as
much as we did. He was easily house
trained. To start with he stayed in a
crate during the day while we were at work.
Bubba built a stand for the crate so he would be high enough up to see
out the front window. Later we did away
with the crate and Archie had the run of the house all day long. He was such a good dog. In 2006, Bubba retired and he and Archie
became constant companions. One of their
favorite things to do was ride through the neighborhood really slowly in the
truck looking for other dogs for Archie to bark at. Archie liked to sit in Bubba’s lap in the
recliner and they would read or watch tv together. He liked me too, but it was obvious that
Bubba was his favorite human.
He traveled
with us to visit Amy and Darryl. He was
such a good traveler. He rode and looked
with interest at everything. He barked
without fail when he saw a motorcycle or crossed a bridge. When we got our travel trailer last year, he
was always ready to load up and go.
Amelia loved
him and he allowed it up to a point.
When we got a Skype call from her, she always wanted to see Archie. When she visited, she rubbed his head and
back very gently and said, “He’s such a good boy, isn’t he?”
About six
months ago, the vet told Bubba that he was pretty sure that Archie had stomach
cancer. There was a good size hard tumor
beginning to protrude from his addomen.
He said that there was nothing that would save his life. Of course we didn’t believe it. He had to be wrong because Archie was still
Archie. He was eating well and
everything seemed fine, but then it became obvious that everything he was
eating was going to the tumor. He could
no longer jump up on the couch or onto our laps. He had trouble getting in the truck and the
started sleeping all the time. It was
obvious that his days were numbered.
(The rest of the story is that I have had viral meningitis since July 3
so Bubba has also been having to deal with my being sick also.)
I came home
from the hospital in a very weakened state on Wednesday Bubba’s brother Joe and his wife Judy came on
Friday to help us with what had to be done.
Joe went with Bubba to take Archie to the vet while Judy stayed with
me. What greater love could there be
than to go through this painful experience with a loved one. They said that the vet came out to the truck
so that Archie wouldn’t have to experience the stress he always has with a vet
visit. It was peaceful and fast. The vet said there was no other choice. Joe drove Bubba home and then he buried
Archie for him. Then Judy brought out
the delicious meal she had brought for us.
We were all hungry and we ate and the healing process began.
Once upon a
time many years ago, I came up on a neighbor washing the food dish for her dog
that had just died and she was crying.
As we walked back home, I told Bubba that I didn’t understand that
because “it was just a dog.” Believe me,
I understand her tears now.
Archie was a
beautiful dog. He used to sit on the
couch and hold his chin up and his body so straight. He was a noble dog truly a class above the
others. Rest in peace, Archie. You loved us and we loved you. I know that we will see you again one day.
Archie, July
24, 2001 – July 27, 2012
My goal in
life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Author
Unknown
