Good bye, my friend...
Today was difficult to awake to and will not be any less burdensome to see through. After two days without sleep, many tears, and breaking hearts, we had Malcolm laid to rest shortly after 11:00am on April 10, 2010. Malcolm’s tail was the last inch of him to stop moving and he left us very peacefully. I would like to thank everyone for sharing their love, affection, and concern for such an amazing puppy. The memories and unconditional love that Malcolm has shared with us over the past decade will always be with us and he will live forever in our hearts.
Malcolm is now looking over us, wagging his tail, pretending to chase rabbits, and wondering why on earth I am sitting here with tears in my eyes while writing this instead of recalling the good times I spent rubbing his belly. Malcolm’s demeanor was more human-like; he preferred the company of people to other dogs and, as far as I am concerned, understood English. When he was still able to walk during his last days with us, Malcolm and I would stroll up and down the road and I lost count of how often I had to tell him to “slow down,” to which he perfectly responded by slowing his pace until I lessened our distance, panting as I approached him.
Malcolm refused to let anything slow him down, but he did have his moments of lethargy. As I mentioned, it was tough to keep up with him, even as his body was being consumed by cancer, and his tail would not cease wagging, even into his last moments of life. I have, however, observed Malcolm as he rested in our back yard, in the summer sun, when all of a sudden, alerted by the presence of a fly, he simply lifted his head and snatched the fly out of the air, then proceeded to lower his head and continue with his busy sleep schedule. Malcolm always seemed to lay down wherever it was we needed to walk and it was not until recently that I realized why he did this. In every attempt to obtain a belly rub, Malcolm would place himself in our walkway with the intention of being noticed and subsequently petted. Malcolm had a way of winning hearts that way from day one.
I remember when my parents first brought Malcolm home after adopting him from Chris’ and Celisa’s Mama Dog. Malcolm was the last to be adopted and I was furious when I found out we had adopted another dog when we were having difficulty training and controlling the violent outbursts of the dog with whom we already shared our house. I walked in to our house ready to give my parents a piece of my mind when I saw Malcolm standing with my family by the back door. At the time he was only a little black Labrador with enormous paws, which he quickly grew into.
House training Malcolm was a breeze and his manners were never faulted. He quickly picked up leash walking and learned the importance of avoiding traffic while on walks around the neighborhood. I recall a time when my mother and I were driving home. We were making our way up the road and were about to make that left turn into the driveway when we stopped to wait for a car coming down the road in the opposite direction. Malcolm, exuberant to see that we had returned home, ran down the driveway to our car. At this point, Malcolm had not learned “stay” and he collided with the other car’s bumper. Malcolm fell on his side, but quickly picked himself up, brushed himself off, and sprinted into the back yard where we found him without a scratch and just a little shaken up.
Malcolm’s encounter with the automobile was the first and last with a moving vehicle, but he continued to endure the rough love and affection with which my nephew blessed him during his visits. To Malcolm, the endless supply of dog treats provided by my nephew seemed like an adequate exchange for piggy back rides. Malcolm would wait forever for an “okay” to gobble up those treats... a craving that started when he was a puppy after I picked up a box of “Meaty Bones” at a dollar store. They soon became Malcolm’s treat of choice and had been ever since.
The Meaty Bones agreed with Malcolm, but not blueberry smoothies. The only time he had an accident was after I fed him a scant quarter-cup of what remained of my smoothie. I thought Malcolm would enjoy a treat. Apparently his digestive system did not agree with my assumption. I felt awful and Malcolm was embarrassed. After that incident I made a note to myself that it is not okay to feed blueberry smoothies to dogs...
Malcolm was the sweetest friend anyone could ask for and the best one around to snuggle with. Malcolm never let anything slow him down, which is why I am continuously in disbelief that old age caught up with him so quickly and unexpectedly the way that it had. I noticed the increased amount of grey hair on his body on each return visit home, but never thought much of it; I assumed that Malcolm would always be there to greet me at the door. I am, however, relieved that he is no longer suffering and is finally able to sleep.
I was no where near ready to say good bye to such a wonderful friend, but I am so fortunate to have known him and to have shared so many memories with him. Malcolm has changed my life in ways that I cannot even begin to express. The explanation will not do justice to expressing how important Malcolm was in my life and it would take hours, even days, to thoroughly recount the influence Malcolm had on me and on everyone he met. Malcolm was not just a dog and he was not just a pet. Malcolm was a great friend who loved unconditionally and who will never be replaced. Malcolm was my friend and the only regret I have is that I did not spend more time with him, but I am happy for the memories that we did share.
So, in memory of Malcolm, one of the best friends I have ever had the privilege of growing up with, tell those you love how much they mean to you before it is too late, whether it be in a letter, a phone call, or a hug.
Good bye, Malcolm, you are my best friend and I will always keep you in my heart. May you rest in peace, but never be forgotten. I will see you when we meet, again, as you greet me with your tail wagging.
I love you, Malcolm.
If you wish to share your memories of Makcolm, please do! :)
Malcolm is now looking over us, wagging his tail, pretending to chase rabbits, and wondering why on earth I am sitting here with tears in my eyes while writing this instead of recalling the good times I spent rubbing his belly. Malcolm’s demeanor was more human-like; he preferred the company of people to other dogs and, as far as I am concerned, understood English. When he was still able to walk during his last days with us, Malcolm and I would stroll up and down the road and I lost count of how often I had to tell him to “slow down,” to which he perfectly responded by slowing his pace until I lessened our distance, panting as I approached him.
Malcolm refused to let anything slow him down, but he did have his moments of lethargy. As I mentioned, it was tough to keep up with him, even as his body was being consumed by cancer, and his tail would not cease wagging, even into his last moments of life. I have, however, observed Malcolm as he rested in our back yard, in the summer sun, when all of a sudden, alerted by the presence of a fly, he simply lifted his head and snatched the fly out of the air, then proceeded to lower his head and continue with his busy sleep schedule. Malcolm always seemed to lay down wherever it was we needed to walk and it was not until recently that I realized why he did this. In every attempt to obtain a belly rub, Malcolm would place himself in our walkway with the intention of being noticed and subsequently petted. Malcolm had a way of winning hearts that way from day one.
I remember when my parents first brought Malcolm home after adopting him from Chris’ and Celisa’s Mama Dog. Malcolm was the last to be adopted and I was furious when I found out we had adopted another dog when we were having difficulty training and controlling the violent outbursts of the dog with whom we already shared our house. I walked in to our house ready to give my parents a piece of my mind when I saw Malcolm standing with my family by the back door. At the time he was only a little black Labrador with enormous paws, which he quickly grew into.
House training Malcolm was a breeze and his manners were never faulted. He quickly picked up leash walking and learned the importance of avoiding traffic while on walks around the neighborhood. I recall a time when my mother and I were driving home. We were making our way up the road and were about to make that left turn into the driveway when we stopped to wait for a car coming down the road in the opposite direction. Malcolm, exuberant to see that we had returned home, ran down the driveway to our car. At this point, Malcolm had not learned “stay” and he collided with the other car’s bumper. Malcolm fell on his side, but quickly picked himself up, brushed himself off, and sprinted into the back yard where we found him without a scratch and just a little shaken up.
Malcolm’s encounter with the automobile was the first and last with a moving vehicle, but he continued to endure the rough love and affection with which my nephew blessed him during his visits. To Malcolm, the endless supply of dog treats provided by my nephew seemed like an adequate exchange for piggy back rides. Malcolm would wait forever for an “okay” to gobble up those treats... a craving that started when he was a puppy after I picked up a box of “Meaty Bones” at a dollar store. They soon became Malcolm’s treat of choice and had been ever since.
The Meaty Bones agreed with Malcolm, but not blueberry smoothies. The only time he had an accident was after I fed him a scant quarter-cup of what remained of my smoothie. I thought Malcolm would enjoy a treat. Apparently his digestive system did not agree with my assumption. I felt awful and Malcolm was embarrassed. After that incident I made a note to myself that it is not okay to feed blueberry smoothies to dogs...
Malcolm was the sweetest friend anyone could ask for and the best one around to snuggle with. Malcolm never let anything slow him down, which is why I am continuously in disbelief that old age caught up with him so quickly and unexpectedly the way that it had. I noticed the increased amount of grey hair on his body on each return visit home, but never thought much of it; I assumed that Malcolm would always be there to greet me at the door. I am, however, relieved that he is no longer suffering and is finally able to sleep.
I was no where near ready to say good bye to such a wonderful friend, but I am so fortunate to have known him and to have shared so many memories with him. Malcolm has changed my life in ways that I cannot even begin to express. The explanation will not do justice to expressing how important Malcolm was in my life and it would take hours, even days, to thoroughly recount the influence Malcolm had on me and on everyone he met. Malcolm was not just a dog and he was not just a pet. Malcolm was a great friend who loved unconditionally and who will never be replaced. Malcolm was my friend and the only regret I have is that I did not spend more time with him, but I am happy for the memories that we did share.
So, in memory of Malcolm, one of the best friends I have ever had the privilege of growing up with, tell those you love how much they mean to you before it is too late, whether it be in a letter, a phone call, or a hug.
Good bye, Malcolm, you are my best friend and I will always keep you in my heart. May you rest in peace, but never be forgotten. I will see you when we meet, again, as you greet me with your tail wagging.
I love you, Malcolm.
If you wish to share your memories of Makcolm, please do! :)