Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Watson


My best friend died.

I've been trying to write this entry for about a week, but quite frankly, I'm still kinda in shock about the whole thing so please forgive its tardiness.


Of course you know about my sweet Watson. He was such a big part of my life that it would be difficult for you not to know about him.

Typically, after someone would ask how I was doing the next question was always, "How's Watson?"

I miss him.


Every year, he would make Santa's "Naughty" list, but he was still the best dog out there.

I miss the way he would follow me everywhere. His soft ears. His innocent eyes. The way he would run in his sleep. His bark at the doorbell. How he'd play ball with himself. His excitement about anything. His silly dances. His morning "doga" moves as he made stretching noises like Chewbacca. I even miss how he would try to eat everything off the street.

Watson was a very stubborn, determined rascal. He had many fights over chicken bones and bit many people in his pursuits. Somehow, people managed to forgive both of us for his naughtiness. He always meant well, but somehow that appetite and big nose of his always got him into trouble.

He was destructive.

Soon after I got him he ripped up my specially-designed couch from Ethan Allen. He ate the backseat of my car -- and most of the seatbelt. He ate my iPod. He probably ate your lunch at some point.

He was good at being bad.

So why do I miss him so much?

Because in the midst of it all, he was worth every sacrifice I made for him. He was very loving and (surprisingly) obedient (sometimes). His personality was like no other dog I'd ever met.

When I first saw him at the pound, he was caged with a beautiful golden retriever. I wanted a beagle because I'd read that they were good with families and I figured I should be safe and get a "child-friendly" dog in case I had kids.
There sat Watson. Quiet and serene. He was kind.
I found out after adopting him... he was also high. He had been neutered that day and was still feeling the effects from the drugs.
But by that time, we had already become attached to one another; he quickly turned into a velcro dog, complete with every aspect of separation anxiety when i would leave him.

He was a handful.

And I miss him.


His sister-kitty, Bonnie, and I have been adjusting to the silence of our home. I still hear the other dogs in the hallway and wake up saying his name. I still feel sadness when I don't get to walk him. And I just miss seeing his sweet face around.

His death was extremely sudden and unexpected. He was diagnosed with visceral hemangiosarcoma -- an extremely cruel and aggressive cancer that appeared as two lumps in his heart. The doctors believed that he'd had it only a few weeks at most -- which is how long most dogs survive with it.
He showed little signs. But last Wednesday night, he was unlike I'd ever seen him. I took him to the Pet E.R. and I honestly thought he'd make it. They removed 90mL of blood from around his heart. He perked up and was his usual sweet self. But the next morning the bleeding returned, worse than before.
Watson's breathing had slowed, his disposition soured... he was an unhappy puppy. And it was time.

All too quick for me.


I will never know how old he was.


I hope he's saving a spot for me in Heaven. We often speak of the Celestial Kingdom, but honestly, I am aiming for the happiness of the Animal Kingdom to be near my best of friends.


I miss you sweet boy.



This Christmas I will watch "Marley & Me" and think of him. That lil rascal touched my heart in many ways I never thought possible. Pets just have a gracious way of teaching us how to live in the moment and to love and forgive no matter what.



If you have any stories of Watson from the naughty or nice list, please share them with me. He was a bonehead for sure, but... to me he was the best bud I had.

Monday, December 08, 2008

This is what it's come to...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (next goal!)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury (just got out of jury duty! thanks Maren!)
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day


(thanks rustin!)