TROOPER
A TRIBUTE
November 2008 – August 13, 2024
TROOPER
To many: just a dog. To me? Where do I even begin?
BEST FRIEND.
A best friend in a different way a human best friend could ever be. Trooper was always there for me NO. MATTER. WHAT. with a tail-wag and absolutely no judgment. He showed up on my porch in May of 2010 after the Nashville Flood hit and boy! did God send him to the right porch! He saw me through good times, bad times, fun times, and emotionally raw and downright sad times. He was there with me through a time of divorce; a season of life I never pictured myself going through. He was there for me during my single years as I re-figured out life and where and who God wanted me to be. He was there for me through so many long car rides home from Tennessee to Michigan to visit family, many life events I experienced as a teacher and person in TN, and gave his nod of approval when Chris entered my life. (He placed his head right in Chris’ lap when he came to pick me up for a date at my apartment and met him for the first time. I knew he’d be an alright date/partner at that point. He had my best friend’s approval, after all!) 😉 He was there for me as I moved across the country to be back home in Michigan and start a new job. He followed me into a new marriage with my newly adopted second best friend (Sorry, Chris!…he DID come first…!) 🙂 And, as a best friend would do, he always had my back and never abandoned me. He always had a way to make me feel better, and offered an ear to wipe my tears with when needed.
OLD FAITHFUL.
This dog could speak to me with his eyes. Some say there are “heart dogs” in this world; dogs that just have/know your heart and vice versa. Those whose connections are so deep that they know what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it, and how to fix it. Even up to the very last hour he was walking life with me, he always had to make sure I was a head-turn away, within a quick eye’s glance across the room. He had to know I was okay. I will never forget the always classy and tasteful tail wag he had when I came through the door after a long day at work or a quick trip to the store. Trooper just “got me.” And I knew exactly what he was saying to me at every possible moment. I knew what he was thinking when the breeze blew in just the right direction at exactly the right speed when we were enjoying a summer afternoon on the back deck. He could tell me how he was feeling with one, dark-brown eyed glance. I knew how content he was when he slightly leaned over to take a deep back rub into the soft Michigan grass. I saw the joy behind his eyes when I sat down on the couch to enjoy the popcorn I had just popped on the stove (one of his favorites!!) He was forever faithful to me, right up until his last heartbeat. He always wanted to take that car ride with me. And when he couldn’t come along with, he’d always be at the window to see me off and would be patiently waiting my return, whenever that was, which to him always probably seemed to be an eternity. He waited for me to get ready for work in the mornings in a tucked ball in his favorite bed outside the bathroom every morning. (He knew breakfast came next!) He never turned down his morning eggie scraps, or failed to share my pillow at night with class and fairness. He was SO faithful. Right down to fighting on through the cancer that so unfairly took his otherwise healthy body until the very bitter end. He would’ve fought as long as I would’ve given him permission to. That’s just how faithful he was.
MY FOUR-LEGGED, RED-HEADED SON I NEVER GAVE BIRTH TO.
I don’t have children of my own. Besides my band kids at school, Trooper was my literal son I raised, taught, and cared for. Some who don’t have pets or don’t view animals in the same light as those who are deeply connected to them like I was to Trooper may not understand how I could place him in that tiered level of importance. But, I loved him so deep. As if he were my own. Technically, he was. I believe God gave him to me at exactly the right time and purposefully set me aside from all others to be his caretaker; just as He would a parent to a child. Call it silly, but silly as it may be, it’s what I believe and how I loved him. I truly believe Trooper knew how much I cared for him, too. He showed it back to me each and every single day.
I love you, Trooper. SO BIG. The time we had together will NEVER be enough! My heart is breaking today. I know it will hurt for quite some time. And you have left a permanent paw print on my heart and soul. My days will not be the same without you in them. I will have to adjust. It will be very hard. But, I always promise to never forget you and will speak of you often to those I love and meet.
I know animals don’t have souls as us humans do. But I really hope that when we enter the pearly gates that God has some kind of surprise for us, at least in their spirit form, that we will get to see them again! I know He knows how important they are to us in our lives! Or else He wouldn’t have ever gifted us with their presence.
Rest easy, sweet, goldeny BEST boi!! No more cancer. No more suffering. Just love, Chancey toys, kitties to chase, and endless packages of bagels to steal off of the Heavenly countertops. You were and are loved greater than words can express. I’m just thankful I’m the one that got to hoard all of that love up in my heart and soul for the last 15 years.
With All of My Love,
Mamma