On December 16th, we hiked in an area of Alpine, Texas where the pups could be off leash, run, and explore. We debated whether the hike was too long for our old man, Checkers, but decided to give it a shot. He had a blast! I haven’t seen him that energetic or happy in awhile. He would run off, and race back to us, panting and smiling and checking in for a pet before heading off to explore some more.
Two weeks later, he was gone.
We had to say goodbye to him after a short and intense illness. Checkers’ liver was failing and it was time for him to make his way over the rainbow bridge.
Eleven years ago, Checkers came into our family as a foster pup. He ended up being a "foster fail,” and we officially adopted him just before Christmas that year. In his eleven and a half years, Checkers was not an easy dog to have - while he loved the people he loved fiercely, and he also fiercely did NOT like the people he didn’t like.
This sometimes made things difficult and we had to adjust a lot because of his behavioral challenges.
It wasn’t until we worked with yet another trainer, and he started to mellow, that we could even consider doing this trip in the camper with him.
He went through a lot in his little life - being found in a cardboard box in Tennessee with his littermates, making the journey up to New England, joining our family, annoying his sister Lela and then eventually his other sister Bader, barking at everything, meeting dogs at boarding and day care, moving with our family a half dozen times, and chewing every piece of cardboard he saw.
He was there when we got married. Well, technically he was with the dog sitter because he couldn’t be trusted with other people (unlike Lela who was our ring bearer).
He was there with me while Susan was deployed in Afghanistan. He was there when she came home.
He was there every morning when I would wake to write sermons.
He was there every time someone came over - ready to sniff their crotch, but also sometimes locked in another room.
He was under our feet when we cooked any meal (especially if carrots were involved - he loved carrots).
Anyone who has lost a pet knows the strange silence that comes after they are gone.
The quiet where there once was little taps of paws on the floor is one of the most obvious things to us these days. It’s strange to have a whole part of your life that just isn’t there anymore.
So I wanted to write about my little baby pup who became an old man. I wanted to give tribute to the love he gave me and the ways I miss him most.
Here are some lessons I learned from Checkers Marie (that’s what we called him when he was in trouble - which was at least twice a day):
Lessons we SHOULDN’T follow:
When life hands you poop, eat it or roll in it.
Electronics (and most other objects) are made to be eaten.
Most people are bad and you should growl at them.
Other dogs want to steal your moms.
Yorkies and other small dogs should be tossed around.
I do not suggest taking the aforementioned advice from Checkers.
I do, however, suggest taking the advice below.
Lesson 1: It’s never too early to wag
Every morning Checkers would wake up as happy as ever. His tail was always wagging, but especially in the morning. He was excited to do all of the things: go outside, eat breakfast, snuggle, go for a walk. Whatever it was, he was game. According to Checkers every morning was a gift and we should all wake up wagging.
Lesson 2: Love your people fiercely
To the people he loved (mostly people he met in his first 6 months with us, but a select few others who came along later), Checkers was fiercely loyal. He would wag and wag and lean against you. He loved being pet, and getting massages, and snuggling up. He loved his people at daycare and boarding, especially the ones who had to give him baths after he rolled in poop. It was clear if he loved you - he made it known. According to Checkers, if you love someone, make it known - crotch nuzzle, snuggle, wag or lean - tell your people you love them.
Lesson 3: Home is where your people are
We lived in five different homes and states with Checkers. He was always happy to be there and settled into his new home easily. At the end of a walk, he would quickly pull towards home (especially if there was a meal waiting). We think his favorite place was in central New York, since we had a fenced in yard that he could explore. This is where he met Thor, the giant German Sheppard from next door who he would run along the fence with (but never actually met without a fence between them), and where he discovered what it was like to chase and catch rabbits and chickens. According to Checkers, whenever he was with us, he was home. Home is where your people (pets included) are, no matter how often the actual location changes.
Lesson 4: Exploring the world is important
Dogs explore the world through their sense of smell and taste. And boy did Checkers explore! He ate everything - kindles, social security cards, glasses, remotes, DVDs, boxes of granola bars, magazines, containers of broth bouillon (he was thirsty for DAYS), the list goes on. If it was edible, or even if it wasn’t, he was going to chew it. I’m not sure whether the lesson here is about eating everything in sight, trying new things, or exploring the world! He did explore the world. On what has become known as his “twilight tour” this past year, Checkers got to explore more than a eighteen states. So, let’s go with this: according to Checkers, the world is meant to be experienced - eat the new food, go on the hike, say yes to life and savor it.
Lesson 5: In the end, all that matters in love
In his last days, Checkers continued to be fully himself. He was extra snuggly. His last night, while I slept on the floor next to his bed, I woke up with his head next to mine on the pillow. As we lay on the floor with him in the vet’s office, petting him and telling him it was okay for him to go, he gave us both kisses on our faces, wiping our tears away. Even in his last moments he was such a love bug and wanted us to be okay. According to Checkers, all that matters is love - giving it, receiving it, and honoring it throughout our lives.
He wasn’t perfect by any means. He was annoying and loud and difficult to have out in public.
He was relentless in his seeking out a pet or a snuggle.
He was a great little brother and, eventually, a great big brother.
He was the most good-ish, best-ish boy and the first pet I had for his entire lifetime.
I’m so glad we got to be his mamas.
Good boy, Chex Mix. We love you and we miss you lots.
This week’s Invitation to Deepening: Which of these lessons from Checkers resonates most with you? Why? How can you implement it in your own life?
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