He was an unexpected friend. My dog Spanky. Perhaps it was the other way around. I was his human.

Spanky came into my life nearly five years ago shortly after the paper mill shut down. He was a good distraction in transitioning into my new life. His previous human had passed away and he was in need of a forever home. I was lucky that he chose me.

He must have been a Methodist because he sprinkled almost every room in the house before he vanquished all the demons that could possibly inhabit this place.

As a result we now have new hardwood floors.

The first night he was here he decided to take over our bed. He was afraid to sleep alone. We now own a king size Sleep Number Bed.

He knew when it was time to get up, and he knew what time I needed to go to bed. Oftentimes I awoke to a cold nose on my face and dark eyes watching me.

He put me on an exercise program, too. Walking in the morning was a must. And pooping a quarter mile from the house was a must. For him, not me.

He taught me that buying the Ring Doorbell system was a mistake. He took it upon himself to announce all visitors.

I learned quickly that he didn’t trust me to in the bathroom alone. It wasn’t unusual for me to be taking a shower and see him pulling back the shower curtain to check on me. I haven’t been alone in years.

He introduced me to astronomy. Every night around ten we walked outside and watched the stars. Well, I watched the stars. He sniffed around the yard and sprinkled away the demons. It didn’t matter if it was rain, sleet or snow. We went outside every night.

I learned to keep doggie treats on hand to bribe him into coming back inside on cold nights.

Sometimes he would just sit and stare at me for no known reason. I often wondered what he was thinking.

What was mine was his. Mainly the recliner. He loved sitting in it with me. He was proud of the fact that he’d never been neutered. He’d lay on his back, feet in the air, as if to say, “Look what I still have.”

Today has been a difficult day for me. Last night he managed to do major damage to his back running and hopping around after his bath. I had hoped that it was just strained and steroids would help, but the damage was too severe.

I stayed with him until the end. We had a long goodbye, and he fell asleep to wake no more with me holding him. His favorite chew-toy by his side.

I feel like I lost my best friend. He loved me till the end. He trusted me to do the right thing. I hope I did. He never took his eyes off me. It was one of the most difficult moments I have had in a long, long time.

Sometime soon I will pick up his remains at the Vet’s office.

When it’s my turn to go Spanky will be waiting for me in Oak Grove Cemetery where I’ll spread his ashes over my plot. That way he won’t have to sleep alone forever.

I know it’s probably against the rules, but I’ve never been good at coloring between the lines. Besides, who’s going to arrest an old man stumbling around in a cemetery. If they do I’ll cross going to jail off my bucket list. I hope Tina brings bail money.

So-long my little buddy. I’m really going to miss you.

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Rick Algood
December 18, 2020