Thump! Thump! Thump!
Whenever a family member entered the room in which he lay, he or she would be greeted by the happy tail thumps of our golden retriever, Chance. A refugee to our home over six years ago when a nephew moved out of state, Chance became an indelible part of our family.
Chance loved everyone and became an instant friend and favorite to all visitors. Always up for a game of fetch or a belly scratch, he had a playful nature. One of his beloved activities was to sit in front of me with a ball in his mouth, taunting me to take it away. Whenever my hand came near to his treasured ball, he’d bat it away with his paw. This never failed to make me laugh!
He was our loyal protector. Once on a walk, an ill-tempered German shepherd menaced, and Chance rose on two legs to frighten him off to safeguard me. He was quick to bark warnings whenever any car drove by, or when the mailman delivered, or when people walked by the house, or whenever a suspicious leaf blew past the front window.
Chance was playful, even for a mature dog. He jumped in happy circles whenever it was time to eat or to go for a walk. He loved the park and any opportunity to chase after a ball. In the wintertime, he loved to take “ball” outside and play with him in the snow for hours, pouncing on ball, burying it, digging it up, pouncing again. Over and over. Always made us laugh out loud.
Wherever I went in the house, Chance would be there, near my feet, lazing happily, hoping for a pat on the head or a scratch of the belly. He was my buddy, my pal. I was his and he was mine, the answer to that age-old question, “Who’s a good boy?”
We’ve all lost cats, dogs, and other pets. But it’s never easy, especially when it’s as unexpected as Chance’s passing this morning. Our house will be a bit quieter and the squirrels in the backyard much safer.
The world will keep spinning, we’ll go on with our lives, and time will pass. But every once in a while, I’ll pause to remember the gentle spirit that came into this world in the form of an apricot-colored, golden retriever. A loyal, loving, carefree spirit that touched our lives and made us smile.
One in a million.
A good dog. A good boy.
Our Chance.
Literacy Learner 