In Loving Memory: Scamp
13 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: dogs, grief, pet loss, pets
RIP-8/10/2011
One day in early October, just two weeks after the loss of my childhood dog, another little four-legged friend entered my life. I was not prepared to meet him yet, but he ingrained himself so deep in my heart that I cannot imagine a life without him. He scampered down the stairs and sniffed around, not caring in the least that he had no clue where he was. He marched right up to me, in typical Yorkie fashion, and licked my hand as I demanded of my mom, “What…is that?” He walked and walked around me, stubby tail wagging furiously. He let me pet him as much as I desired.
Then he peed on the floor.
Scamp-the funny little guy that won the hearts of everyone who met him. He had lived at the vet’s office where we took my other dog, Little Foot. She passed away, and my mom wasn’t certain she wanted to get us another dog since I’d soon be leaving for college. But destiny and fate had other things in mind, and when my mom went to pay the final bill at the vet’s, he brought out Scamp. A Yorkie mix. I’d always wanted a yorkie…fell in love with them when I had met a friend of mine’s two yorkies. Mom fell in love with him at first sight and brought him home.
The rest is history.
That little stinker would test his boundaries without being outright disastrous and more times than not his antics were amusing. When he wanted something, he would jump up on his hind legs and hold his little front paws right up next to his face with his ears perked up and his eyes never leaving your face. He loved to play and go on walks and lay next to you. He always had to have you in his sight and each time you moved to a different room he would leave his spot and trail after you, tail wagging and always hoping for a treat. Which he usually got.
He gave us so many good years. I moved out of the house for college but every time I came home he’d be there, waiting for me. I liked knowing that he was there to watch over my mom and take care of her, just as she cared for him. Years later I moved to Minneapolis and he would come visit, now in his older years. You could see the years in him, but he would always perk up for a treat.
He loved Zoe, my little puppy, with an older dog’s tolerance, and would even concede to play with her after she barked and pounced at him for 20 minutes. If he was alone with her and she with him, they hated to be separated. Oh, that funny little boy of mine.
The years went by and he aged with grace. Minor arthritis problems that didn’t interfere with his life and was easily treated. Everything was going well.
Until suddenly…he was gone. This funny little member of my family that fate dropped into my lap. This little guy that just walked right into my home and my heart. This sweet little boy of mine who was always eager to see anyone and everyone. No warning signs, no signs of being ill. Just old. But he was only old in years….his heart always stayed young.
Scamp, my baby boy, you will be so missed, so very much. You were such a special part of my mom’s and my life and we will never, ever, ever forget you. Thank you for your unconditional love and playful nature, for cheering us up when we were down, for reminding us to stay young ourselves. You will always be in our hearts.
I miss you baby boy. So much.
Until we meet again, Scamp.
B
