27/01/2024
Epitaph for a dog I never owned
Once in a while, one of us might get one of those dogs - you know, the ones who throw you a curve ball, and just when you think you have it sussed, they throw two more. In different directions. Rinse & repeat.
At the time, this feels exhausting, confusing, and just endless! Then one day it dawns on you that you're not exhausted and confused anymore. You've learned.
Just over 4 years ago one such dog happened to me. He set me on an unexpected learning path and inspired my love and respect for village dogs. When I handed him over to his new owner, I told her - one day, many years after he's gone, his people will still remember him and say "He was a fantastic dog!"
Well, that dog was euthanized on Monday. And since his owner is the last person to say such a thing about him, I would like to do it, even though he was never officially mine.
Fuzzy, I'm sorry I failed you!
If that rainbow bridge is really there, maybe we'll meet, or maybe we won't - after all, you were 'Adespoto' - without master. You were your own person. But I'd like to thank you for the lessons you taught me, the grey hairs, the adventures, the ups & the downs, and for your company on long transport runs. You were a fantastic dog!
