Way back when, as one of my first tentative steps in compiling the rolling memoir that you now see before you, I wrote about an old friend and his best friend. My old friend Ray was back again today, this time on his own. Sadly, his best fried succumbed to a heart condition sortly after Christmas and is now serving guide dog duty for the choir invisible.
Ray reminds me that the initial consultation I described in the original post was almost a decade ago now, and yet the passing of his guide and companion still seems way too soon. Throughout the consultation we are reminded of the absence in the room as toys are not fetched to be deposited in either of our laps, and the "whumph" of a slightly pudgy labrador settling at his master's feet for the remainder of the consult is strikingly absent. No bowl of water appears at the door as once it did, and poor Ray is denied the fawning attention of one of our more dog mad reception team that was once his by right.
Happily this hiatus will not last for long as he has already been interviewed with a view to receiving a new companion. But for today we are left mourning the passing of a very special animal.
"The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's." Mark Twain
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6 comments:
...the "whumph" of a slightly pudgy labrador settling at his master's feet...
This is one of my favourite descriptions of canine mannerisms of all time. As an ex-lab owner, I can see, hear and feel through your words. :)
orchidea-- what used to tickle me was the way the hound seemed to topple sideways from upright to recumbent without apparently bending his legs at all.
Labs generally don't mind (much) if you laugh at their expense. ;) I hope your old friend will achieve an equally good rapport with his new companion.
The combination of those posts for some reason brought tears to my eyes, seems to be a habit of yours lately Dr J! I do hope Ray meets his new dog soon and s/he proves a worthy successor. BG
Oh Dr Jesr, that is a most moving, and at the same time funny, post, Thank you.
orchidea-- indeed, to both sentiments.
bendy girl-- sorry to have caused such distress. The past few weeks have been a bit that way here. I'm hoping for more of the usual lunacy to return soon. Ray would be touched to know of your good wishes.
elaine-- my pleasure.
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