MISS YA BUDDY

When I was a kid I had a dog named, Boozer, whom my dad named and looking back it’s quite fitting that that’s the name he chose. This big fluffy, dirty, mutt of a dog and I became instant best friends. I can remember him following me everywhere, looking for me if I wasn’t around and he always had to sleep next to me. When kids would make fun of me or laugh at me, he could sense I was hurt and would start barking at them. He protected me and he loved me and I sure did love him. One day, Boozer bit a kid for picking on me and although the details are blurry, the end result was that Boozer had to be put to sleep. I was crushed and didn’t think the tears in my eyes would ever run out. My little broken heart told me that I would never have this type of connection, friendship or love for a dog ever again.

Then one day I met, JR, who was this big beautiful Golden Retriever with the kindest spirit. I kneeled down and said “hey boy” as I looked at him in his sweet little eyes and ran my hand through his frost white coat. He pushed closer to me and lifted his head while my hand was on it as if he was signaling that he felt the same thing that I was, an instant bond. 

Every time I would see JR he would run up to me and start crying like a little puppy, though he was well into his twilight years. He would follow me all over the house, he would plop his big body on me or would at least have to place his paw on my hand when I was near. We would walk together and I even took him for a run while his old hips kept saying “stop” his youthful heart said “lets keep going”.

JR reminded me so much of Boozer and he transported me back to my childhood, back to when innocence and play was at the frontline of my existence. The small child version of me fell in love with the big fluffy aged version of him and in that bond, I felt a rare love for an animal that I never thought I would feel again. I don’t even have this type of kindred connection with my own fur-baby whom I love dearly. This was different, this was a brief expression of nostalgia mixed with magic, and for that he will always have a tender space in my heart. 

When I heard of JR’s passing, it affected me deeply. Not because he’s gone, but because he reminded me of ways to love. Thank you for all of the smiles, laughs and memories, Old Boy. 

-Danny