Being a youngster here ,I'm just 50, I realized that the years have been good to me ,the miles haven't been too bad ,but the roads good lord in reflection the good ones were wash boarded rutted out 2 tracks .
I miss the old dog she was 1 of kind . By the time she was 3 we had a subtle communication that was beyond voice or hand signals ,she would act on subtle conversational cues from the other side of the room . She loved to go , it didn't matter if it was a block to the mail or a 5 day road trip. At 10 she wasn't able to pick out birds down on the water it it a little rough and it didn't wing up ,she was a spring wieler and I believe would have made a lab or Chessi work to out fetch her. At 11 ,she gave me the "my hips hurt too much but if you call me to lose up I'll go but I'd be happier right here in front of the fire" look . I guess the aspirin and eggs just weren't able to reward the work and manage the pain in the cold 3 days a week any more . I nearly went with her that Friday morning after Thanksgiving 2005 . Purdy was certainly worthy of her name.
Remmy I'm not so sure about, but she makes me smile so I guess that's good enough.
The proudest day of my life was father's day last year, I'm a lucky dad my kids call me and give me the "you're the most awesomest dad ever" bit and I say awe shucks I couldn't have done it without you. But last year 2 girls that spent an unusual amount of time at the house sent me notes that said thanks for being my dad when mine wasn't there you really made me a better person.
My Dad called this year saying I don't know how you did it or how you manage to keep doing it but you raised incredible kids ,you built fortresses of strength and unity with blow sand and crab grass while you dragged a wife along pulling some other direction then you put in 7 years with step kids and even after the parting of ways your X2 thinks you were an amazing dad . Now your granddaughters are as strong and driven as you kids were . I was a lousy teacher and a poor roll model for the man you became .
After choking my heart back down where it was supposed to be I said , in a rather insignificant feeling way" Dad you taught about disipline ,honor ,courage and strength . I wouldn't be the man I am today without that".
I only aspire to be the man my dog thinks I am. After all the weimaraners Chipper and Unique reinforced all of Dad's teaching. ........and a few bad habits but what heck if you can't steal a hot cookie off the rack once in a while it just isn't living.