Walk with a painter

Folks that know better would never think of me as a student of the Holy Bible but there are several passages which I’ve always enjoyed and have brought me solace in times of stress. I thought of opening this post with a part of one of my favorites, Ecclesiastes 3:4. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: …. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ….” It seemed appropriate to begin this way in order to discuss an emotional issue that had affected my family, several times over, as well as close friends and millions of others; the death of a pet and letting go.

July 1970 was another life changing experience as we moved into our new home about 35 miles away from where we spent our first seven years together. New neighbors, new surroundings, and soon…. new family members. We realized that we’d better get busy seeing as how three of our neighbors had five kids and at least one dog! (Was there something in the water around here?) Well, a year later, in October, our first and only child was born but before that event, after an attempted break-in to our house, we saw fit to get a four legged burglar alarm. Now, my wife had been raised with several dogs while growing up; bulldogs and Boston bulls whereas a few occasional alley cats where my boyhood pets. I was pushing to get a 500 lb. German shepherd but she calmed me down and we settled on… a boxer! Molly became the first of three boxers we eventually owned over a period of 28 years but, unfortunately, she only lived for four years and died from stomach cancer. Next up at bat was Boots, who lived for 14 years and also died from the same malady! After 18 years of living with this lovable breed , there was no question but that we’d get another boxer and soon Sammy (Samantha) entered into our lives. Losing the first two dogs was painful enough but nothing compared to eventually losing Sammy. Of our three dogs she was the most regal as the accompanying image shows in a portrait I did of her sitting with that look, “Well, what have you done for me lately?” I titled this painting, “Samantha Regina.”

I had started my business working from home several years after Sammy became part of our family and soon realized how lonely it sometimes can be on your own but noticed early on what a wonderful companion she was becoming throughout the day! At my previous job, the hours were long and I never really got to know or enjoy our other boxers as well as I came to know this character. She had a big red plaid bed that we ordered from L.L. Bean which was close by my drawing table and the back door. If I wasn’t away meeting with customers then taking her outside for a romp twice a day was a treat for her and me as well. Fortunately, we have a good size yard that she was able to tear around chasing squirrels with about a foot of frothy tongue trailing in the breeze. Luring her back into the house wasn’t always the easiest task but a handful of doggy treats usually did the trick and soon she was back snoring away contentedly dreaming whatever happy boxers dream about. Besides eating and needing to go outside, there were only two things that usually woke her up. One was my turning the air blue on account of a frozen computer which immediately prompted her to scamper upstairs, ears back with a wild-eyed look on her mug. The other was my wife returning home from school where she taught. Sammy could actually detect the sound of the car coming down the driveway and by the time the garage door went up, she was standing at attention ready to receive guests! Jane would come into my office and sit across from me to discuss the day’s events and Sammy would march over, sit between us facing me, as if to say, “Who’s this?” Priceless moments.

Looking back over the years, there are far too many good memories to recall here but probably some of the most enjoyable times were walking up the road on a snowy winter’s evening with huge snowflakes swirling around us. She would race up and down the road, sometimes slip and roll in the snow and just have a ball doing it. There was a large empty lot across from us with a huge stand of trees that always reminded me of Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” They had a spooky look about them and it was comforting to look down the road and see the twinkling lights in the neighborhood. There’s a house built on that lot now blocking the view of those woods so guess good things can’t last forever. Speaking of which, three years later Sammy’s tumor was discovered.

After her surgery, there was a distinct change in her demeanor. She seemed much more dependent on us and would become upset when left alone. For various reasons we really had not had the chance to get away for some time so we decided to chance it and board Sammy for the weekend. Upon returning there was a message to call the kennel immediately. Our worst fears were confirmed; Sammy had died early Easter morning. We never knew exactly what happened to her but I went on a self imposed guilt trip for a long time convinced she passed away with a broken heart. No way to prove that, of course, but I couldn’t shake that feeling.

People often ask if we’re going to get another dog but after a short passage of time other activities started to fill the void. Jane’s retirement afforded us more time to travel, board commitments, ballroom dancing, and soon… two lively grandsons who have become the joy of our lives! Those were wonderful times for us, particularly the ten years we enjoyed Sammy, and the memories will always be there. They have become permanent images woven into the tapestry of our lives.