My beloved eddie...RIP by Paul Gifford

My beloved eddie...RIP

by Paul Gifford

Today the final word, on the final page of the story of my beloved dog Eddie was composed. How did Eddie come into my life? When I was a very young twenty one I went to see a movie one early Spring evening.The advertised time in that days newspaper was wrong, so to while away the 45 minutes or so I had to kill, I went into a pet store. They did not sell dogs, but there were this Airedale terrier/ Alsatian puppy in a cardboard box in the front. The owner of the stores next door neighbour had an unexpected litter of 6 puppies. Whilst growing up in England, I had always desperately wanted a dog. i had perhaps a romantic notion that having a dog was a magical experience. I had read one two many Enid Blyton books, or too much Lassie on a Saturday afternoon.But circumstances had never allowed it. . As I peered in at this little fellow, the last remaining pup of the brood, a strange thing happened. He looked straight back at me , as if to say "here I am...". I somehow managed to pull myself away from his clinging gaze. I attempted to distract myself by looking about the rest of the store. He managed to climb out the box and follow me!! The owner of the store smiled in amazement. "He has never done that before.." she remarked in an amused tone. Now at the time I was living in a second floor apartment, with only an outside patio, not the ideal enviroment to nurture and take care of a 6 week old puppy. I left the store, trying hard not to look at him again.My ears were full of him whimpering at me.. I could not sleep that night...Kept thinking about him. It was the strangest thing. This curious little dog, one of had had a hold on me. The next day I tried to keep my mind of off of him, I almost succeeded. At 5:30 I had the impulse..."I must own this dog..."...my mind made up!! Now the shop closed at six, and I had 15 miles of freeway to cover, I raced to my car, flirted with getting a speeding ticket,hurriedly parked and ran into the shop, my adrenaline racing and my heartbeat thumping along.Straight to the box where he had been!! To my horror the box was EMPTY!! AAArgh I thought, I am too late!Someone else has taken MYdog!! Then I looked up at the owner of the shop...Who was smiling at me!! She informed me she had saw the look of love come over me the day before, and she had put the dog in the back room for me!! She new I was going to be back!! So the dog came home...he came to be known as Eddie valentino. There are are many many stories I could tell about him, and perhaps one day I might.But as I sit here and write my simple tribute to my beloved friend, on the day of his passing, a few major events come to mind. Eddie had such a confounding impact on my life, it is most difficult to fully express. However I shall take an attempt to endeavour to express some of his everlasting effect on me. Bare with me for it is late, and my lack of real sleep for a couple of days is having a marked impression. The first lesson I realised is just how dependent a puppy is. I was naive as to what dog ownership fully entailed. The actual purchase of the dog was a mere $35.00, after my first vet visit and pet store extravaganza, I was soon upto the $500.00 mark!! I was still a waiter at the time, so it was definitely felt!! Lots of spaghetti dinner that first month!! The first night I brought him home, I made a bed out of a shoe box, put him by the side of my bed. My optimistic intent that we were both going to get a good nights sleep. The first night was rather long!! the only way he eventually got any rest was by sucking on my little finger! The next night, after a little research I wrapped an alarm clock in with the blanket. This was a vast improvement, but he still felt a need to suckle that finger of mine! I quickly discovered that he needed two hours of exercise daily for him to burn of his energy. this in turn meant that I was getting two hours of exercise. The months passed. I needed to find a new place to live, had him boarded a couple of times. Eventually after I got ripped of by a room mate..I realised that me and Eddie needed our own place...Just the two of us. This is how I ended up living in Garden Grove. Have you ever tried apartment hunting with a 100 pound plus dog in tow!! He sleeped next to me for eight years...In that time I had him certified asa therapy dog, and used to take him to visit with the abused children at CHOC. He used to go everywhere with me, even into the barbers.The whole neighbourhood new of my unusual , half human companion. He became my best friend, companion and protector. The bond between us was incredible. He could communicate to me, with paricular bark, or shake of his head. He taught me how to love. When i was depressed, he was there to undertsnad andd support. He kept me motivated as he depened on me so much, and I would not let him down. I got my career going, and got my life together. Then I met the second Angel God had seen fit to bless me with. My beloved wife Sarah. We got engaged on the first night, moved in together a month later. Eddie was already nine yaers iold at this point.He was rather jealous of Sarah right from the onset. As I hugged her good night...he would gently growl, and attempt to push between us. It was a tough transition for him . First he was banished not only from the bed, but from the house!! But after a few months he gradually made his way back into the bedroom, by my side. The last eight years simply have flown by. So many things have changed, but there was always the one constant in my life Eddie. Over those years, he has gotten lost, survived two surgeries, and has shared in a host of adventures. He gradulaly got a little slower, significantly more grey, and even more wise. Upto about two weeks ago he was still fairly active, but arthritus was beginning to majorly show its wear, mainly on his back legs and hips. Yet he still managed his daily walk around the park. Even if he had to stop and rest a couple of times. I knew the end was coming..I started to say goodbye to him. This morning, despite his best efforts he ws no longer able to get up. He had needed to go to the bathroom during the night, and was unable to get up to go outside.He has always been fanaticaly house broken. Waking me up in the night if he needed to be let out. But this morning I awoke to discover he had soiled himself, and was lying in it. My heart ached. I knew this day was going to be his last. With a little effort, I transported him outside, and Sarah and I began to clean him up. I wanted to give him a little dignity back. Despite his odvious discomfort, he still manged to smile at me, even licking the tears than were slipping down my cheeks. The vet was called, an appointment was made. Three o clock, this afternoon. I hugged him as I wept. I fed him 6 hot dogs which he eagerly devoured. I lay next to him, talking and singing to him. He talked and sang back .... I would not have had the strength of will to transport him to the vets myself.. I am fortunate to be blessed with a marvelous brother and sister-in-law. Dwight and Rhonda. Dwights brother had flown in for a visit from Chicago on his way to Hawaii. It was decided thatbthey were going to take care of it for me. At the allotted hour they dutifully arrived. He needed to be carried in a blanket, as his ability to walk had completely been lost. he refused to even try. He was placed in the back of the truck...I hugeged himand kissed him goodbye, completely overcome with emotion, then they drove off. I was told that his final passing was quick and painless. The vet was apparently in tears when they were informed of my eddies story. They were amazed to discover that this dog lying in front of them was an amazing seventeen years old. So this brings me to the end...a brief summary of one wonderful life. A life that taught me so much about love and loyalty. A life that has improved my life in more ways that I can ever express. I truly believe that the wonderful life and family that am living right now, would not have happened without my treasured Eddie valentino. I genuinely believe he was sent to guide me, to show me how wonderful life can be. His memory will live forever in my heart. Now to the future....I have two other dogs, Chester and Tasha. Both were rescued, both amazing stories in there own right. Tasha is asleep at my feet right now,right where Eddie used to be..... PAUL. Forgive my indulgence in sharing this, and forgive the horrible grammar and my lousy typing...It is late, but this is a story I needed to share.

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Paul Giffor