| | | | | | | | Eulogy for Michelob
"He passed on this morning at the Apex Animal Hospital in my loving arms. Mick was 14.
It may seem odd to write a eulogy about an animal. But taking into consideration that this animal made me laugh louder, cry harder, smile wider and at times enrage me more than any human ever has, it seems only fair I put to words my feelings of Michelob.
Easier said than done. How do I sum up what this amazing dog meant to me? Do I state the obvious? That he had a smile that could light up a room and a pair of ice-blue eyes that could pierce your soul? That, in his younger days, he was a better frisbee-dog than any I've ever seen (except when it came to actually dropping the frisbee)? That he would greet me without question at the front door with a smile and a wagging tail at the end of a rough day and instantly make things better? That he could eat a 12 ounce steak in under 12 seconds?
I think what sums up Mick the best and what I'll remember most about him is that he hated thunderstorms (bear with me on this one... it'll go somewhere). Better yet, Mick DESPISED thunderstorms. They would work him up into a prancing-whining-panting-barking frenzy like nothing else. Mick would even go so far as to lock himself in the bathroom during bad ones. He would literally march himself into the bathroom and shut the door with his head. If it stormed during the day, or if I was out at dinner and the thunder started, more times than not I would return home to a shut bathroom door and find a safe and smiling dog on the other side. Lord, he hated those storms.
Well, one night while living in Holly Springs with Gayle, I had a terribly rough night. Gayle and I decided to seperate, I was hating my job (not my present one) and hating pretty much life in general. On this particular night it lightning'd and thundered harder than I can remember. As Gayle slept, I went outside and sat on the top of the front steps, to watch the storm, ponder life and just feel sorry for myself. I was in a bad way. I failed to shut the front door, and minutes later Michelob came out, sat down next to me,nuzzled into my side and we sat and watched the storm together. I have never told anyone of it until now.
That was Mick. Though he hated that damned storm, he knew I needed him and braved it to be there for me. He was always there, right or wrong, through the good and the bad. He put things into simple perspective and loved unconditionally. He taught me more about life, loyalty, strength and spirit than practically anyone I've known. He's given me half-a-lifetime of great memories that will make me laugh, smile and shake my head. Memories that will carry me through tough times when I miss him dearly. But right now the simple fact is that he is not here, and I am sad.
To all of you who shared a part of his life, no matter how big or small, I want to thank you. Whether you watched over him while I couldn't, played with him, took him for a walk, pet and patted his head or had something of yours eaten or destroyed by him, you helped make his life better and I am grateful. I only hope he was able to do the same to you in return."
"You may finally be at peace now, Michelob. No more thunderstorms."
"I'll miss you, my friend."
"-Brian" |
