PeaceBang
The manic mind of the minister -- Auntie Mame Meets Cotton Mather. Blogging about Unitarian Universalism, UU Christian spiritual practice, occasional cultural and political ravings, and the inner life of ministry. PeaceBang is the alter ego of a small town pastor serving an historic New England Unitarian Universalist congregation.
Dr. Smoothenstein
October 23, 2007 on 11:44 pm | In Joys and Concerns, Reminiscence | This guy has been on my mind a lot lately.
The photo was taken last April when I got wound up really tight after Easter and took a few days off to visit SisterBang in Connecticut. I am inhaling that dog as pure medicine (it only looks like I’m choking him!).
This elegant old gent is my sister’s canine familiar, Gordon. I wish you could see these two together. For the past 13 years they’ve been like one animal; you know how centaurs have the body of a horse and the head of a man? Well, my sister has the body of a woman with the body of dog attached at the hip. She is the consummate Dog Person. A fierce New England spinster like me, she eschews the company of troublesome men and is loyal to her hound, who in turn worships her. Every time she gets involved with a new romance he gets positively addled. You can read the cartoon bubble over his head: “What did I do wrong? Why she does not love only me any more? But I am so much more cuter and more well-mannered than this guy! Plus also I smell a lot better!”
I remember when I was living down in Maryland and SisterBang came to visit. I walked out of the church building and into the sun to look for her in the parking lot. As is typical of her, she was already surrounded by children and had Gordon by her side. She was wearing a simple toga-like sun dress and flat leather sandals, her long hair down and shining. He sat smooth and burnt caramel colored, unperturbed by the long drive and eminently patient with the adoring children. They looked like a painting of Artemis and her hound.
So it seems that Gordon, Count Dordonski, Dr. Smoothenstein, Mr. Bologna Ears, is ailing. He has cancer in his nasal passages and an enlarged heart. He has had some seizures and bleeding that indicates the cancer may have metastasized. SisterBang is not the kind of person who would expect her animal companion to endure lots of frightening and uncomfortable procedures for her sake. She is willing to let him go. He is getting ready to go over the Rainbow Bridge.
Gee, it’s hard to think about our family without Dords in it. But we all know that the essence of doggie is energy and life, and when they get old and sickly, it’s only fair to let them go. As I said to my sis, “It’s not like he needs more time to work on that great literary legacy he hoped to leave.”
They’re the simplest of creatures but our greatest teachers of complex wisdom.
I’ll get to snoggle with him next Tuesday night on my way down to Pennsylvania, where I have a date to trick-or-treat with Superman and Spiderman.
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Poor little sweetie.
Comment by Scott Wells (Boy in the Bands) — October 24, 2007 #
My heart goes out to you and SisterBang. No matter how right the decision may be, it is still among life’s most difficult.
Peace to you both, and hugs to the love pooch.
Comment by Louise — October 24, 2007 #
Peace be with all of you. I’m singing a song for Gordon right now.
[Cathy, you reminded me of a little song my sister made up for Gordon. It goes, “Sunshine doggie, YOU’RE my sunshine doggie. How is my sunshine doggie, TODAY” and then you repeat that. It’s really vapid but it makes us really happy. I sing it to my cat when she’s been snoozing in the sun and gets all warm-headed. - PB]
Comment by Cathy — October 24, 2007 #
I have an older (14 year old) dog and I know how challenging it can be to battle aging; fortunately I haven’t had to make the “big choice” just yet, but I have had dogs all my life so I have certainly been down that path more than once.
I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers, and I thank God that Gordon was so fortunate to have had such wonderful people in his life.
Comment by NDM — October 24, 2007 #
Comment by Patrick — October 24, 2007 #
Look at that wonderful gray face. I do love an old dog; they just get sweeter with age. Enjoy him as much as you can while he can still enjoy himself. [We call the gray face his “frosty mug,” an expression from my friend Sari, another consummate dog person. - PB]
Comment by martinet — October 24, 2007 #
I am a dog person to the Nth degree too and had to make “that” decision several times in my life. I hate it that those doggie loves of our lives — and, I admit it, kitties too, although I’ve never had one of those — do not live nearly long enough; it’s one of those inevitable unfairnesses of this life. My heart goes out to you and SB for Gord’s impending trip over the bridge, but it’s one more dear soul who will be waiting, in some form or another, because love does survive!
Comment by Debbie — October 24, 2007 #
Your sis has had him for his entire life, hasn’t she? I don’t know who’s more fortunate — him for having so much lovin’ his whole life, or you and your family for getting double the lovin’ back from him.
Comment by Peg Schuler-Armstrong — October 24, 2007 #
Thanks everyone for your kind and inspiring AND comforting words. It really helps. Of course, this post made me cry, but that is the norm these days! Gordon is definitely reminding me to live in the moment. Right now, am watching him enjoy a doggy frozen yogurt! Zen and the art of dog-gazing.
xoxoxo Sisterbang
Comment by Sisterbang — October 24, 2007 #
Yah, that made me cry too. Gordon and I have been pals for 12 years, and even though I have often lived too far away to see him (and his mom) as often as I’d like to, he has remained the #1 most special pooch in my life all these years. He has always epitomized everything a good dog should be - faithful, obedient, polite, kind, sensitive, generous (always has LOTS of love to give, and never hesitates to give it!), sweet, and just plain adorable. Hmmm…. What a wonderful would it would be if there were a lot more people like Gordon in it!!
Dearest boy, I hope I get to see you when I come back to the US next month, but if I don’t, know that I will always admire you and remember you fondly!
Comment by John W — October 25, 2007 #
Peacebang and Sisterbang, ya’ all are in my thoughts and prayers. Dogs like Gordon are so precious, you are lucky to have him and he is lucky to have you. Peace and God Bless.
Comment by god guurrll — October 25, 2007 #
Peacebang, your words — as always — are so thoughtful and comforting. I’ve had the pleasure to spend a lot of time with Mr. G over the past few years that I’ve been friends with Sisterbang. Gords has been like a big brother to my own puppy-girl and a good friend to me. He’s one of the best creatures on the planet, and he will be missed. But the lessons we’ve learned from him will live on in our hearts. Peace to you all.
Comment by Amy in CT — October 25, 2007 #
What a wonderful tribute to both man & beast! [SisterBang] lovingly speaks of Gordon and I had the pleasure of meeting him–a rare gentle giant— energetic and totally comfortable in a confined space (my small office) and happy to slurp away with whomever visited.
I lost our family member of 13 years two years ago and still pine for the unconditional love given.
He will tell her –when— and will always remain as a soft spot to provide the gentle lift on those rough days of passage
Comment by Sharon Maloney — October 25, 2007 #
Gordon is such a sweet boy, I know he has been a great friend over the years, you will know when he needs to go over the rainbow. On monday we made the heart breaking decision to send Jackson, a 14 year old Dalmatian who we have had since the day he was born, over the rainbow. I will miss him. He will always remain in my heart. [Hugs to you and condolences on the loss of your spotted honey head. - PB]
Comment by katy — October 25, 2007 #
Aw, hugs to both of you, PB and SB.
Comment by fausto — October 26, 2007 #
A very moving tribute indeed to a dog that has pawed is way into the hearts of all who know him. Knowing Gordon is what inspired me to bring a dog into my life. Believe it or not, I’ve often compared other dogs I’ve met to him on the “Gordon Scale”- hehe
He’s such a sweet gentle soul. He’s “doGfather” to my Ducan and Cosette, he’s a welcome visitor to our home in NH, and I know he’s sisterbang’s soulmate and best friend.
I was so sad to hear the news, but found comfort in her decision to let him live his final time without the additional strain of aggressive medical treatment.
My heart is breaking. There are no sweeter kisses than that of one’s canine companion. I will always think of “Grandpa Gordy” with cozy fondness and will keep him and sisterbang in my thoughts. We’re all losing something special here- even my dog is losing a special friend. I hope we can enjoy one last visit sometime soon.
Sending all my love and comfort from NH-
Mel
Comment by Melanie McDonald — October 26, 2007 #