To most people, the day everything changed is September 11 when terrorists attacked.
To our family, the day everything changed is September 8, when our dog Watch was run over last year.
My writing changed. My voice became more authentic. Not that my previous voice was false, but after September 8 I was more willing to embrace uncomfortable topics.
I'd walk our dog Jerry down Shady Pine Road in Bruno and people would ask me if he was a new dog, people who I'd never guessed had known Watch.
"Watch was the soul of this house," my husband Mike said. "He was friendly and fearless."
Mike discovered Watch on a back road of deserted vacation cabins, a road Mike was driving on to pass time before a doctor's appointment. The puppy followed him for about a quarter mile. Mike, having grown up in the country, was used to seeing strays and was planning to drive on.
"Dad, you gotta stop," implored four-year-old Wyatt.
Wyatt named the puppy Watch, after the dog in the Boxcar Children books he enjoyed. Watch was with us for nine years. Something changed with Mike. He brought home every stray he came across.
When we left the house on Shady Pine, there were things we didn't need or didn't want. But there was one thing Wyatt insisted on taking.
Watch.
If we didn't dig him up and take him with us, Wyatt said, we would have to come back every April 1, the day that we decided was Watch's birthday, to see his grave.
Watch, or more accurately his remains, is now re-buried on the farm in Dodge Center, near my Doberman Stoney and Mike's hunting dog Lady. I have no idea what will come of the house on Shady Pine Road. It may be bought for a song as a vacation property, or it may be bulldozed someday. Despite the recent upheaval we've experienced, having Watch with us again somehow takes us back to before the day everything changed.
Related Posts:
The Bruno Witch Project
When You Can't Help but Be Personal
Five Favorite Memories of Watch
To our family, the day everything changed is September 8, when our dog Watch was run over last year.
 |
| Watch in August of 2010. |
My writing changed. My voice became more authentic. Not that my previous voice was false, but after September 8 I was more willing to embrace uncomfortable topics.
I'd walk our dog Jerry down Shady Pine Road in Bruno and people would ask me if he was a new dog, people who I'd never guessed had known Watch.
"Watch was the soul of this house," my husband Mike said. "He was friendly and fearless."
 |
| Wyatt, age 4, and his new puppy Watch. |
"Dad, you gotta stop," implored four-year-old Wyatt.
Wyatt named the puppy Watch, after the dog in the Boxcar Children books he enjoyed. Watch was with us for nine years. Something changed with Mike. He brought home every stray he came across.
When we left the house on Shady Pine, there were things we didn't need or didn't want. But there was one thing Wyatt insisted on taking.
Watch.
If we didn't dig him up and take him with us, Wyatt said, we would have to come back every April 1, the day that we decided was Watch's birthday, to see his grave.
Watch, or more accurately his remains, is now re-buried on the farm in Dodge Center, near my Doberman Stoney and Mike's hunting dog Lady. I have no idea what will come of the house on Shady Pine Road. It may be bought for a song as a vacation property, or it may be bulldozed someday. Despite the recent upheaval we've experienced, having Watch with us again somehow takes us back to before the day everything changed.
Related Posts:
The Bruno Witch Project
When You Can't Help but Be Personal
Five Favorite Memories of Watch
What a wonderful tribute to sweet Watch. It made me cry. Dogs really are the soul of the house and I'm glad you took Watch with you. We have all three of our previous dogs' ashes with us and somehow that gave me comfort during our time of loss. Thank you for sharing your touching story.
ReplyDeleteI hope they were good tears, Suerae! The unconditional love and forgiveness of dogs puts them on a higher plane. Have you seen Wendy Francisco's video God and Dog? Here it is (and thanks for reading!)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY