Tribute

Casey the dog was the kind of dog that makes people love dogs.

He was a big dog, with lots of soft auburn hair. He had a happy face. His eyes were the most expressive thing about him—they seemed to dance at the slightest amusement, and the eyebrows would jump, both separately and then in unison, as he considered whether or not something was worth getting up off the couch for.

Obsessed with tennis balls, he often strutted around with two, and sometimes even three, balls in his mouth, teasing her to come and throw them for him. He had discovered that tennis balls were an object of many uses and could be slept with, kicked, gnawed, and most satisfactorily torn into small fluorescent green shreds. Catching them was best, though.

He loved swimming and playing in the snow, but he would not go outside when it rained. He hated thunderstorms.

Casey was a lover, but could easily pin a challenging dog on the ground if the occasion called for it. He loved to visit the dog park, and was sociable with the other occupants and their owners.

He hated to be boarded. He adored being petted. He silently begged for table scraps with his eyes. He liked being the only dog in the house.

His owners loved him dearly. They walked him in winter and in summer, took him hiking and for long rides in the car, and let him lick the tears off their faces when they cried.

He was a good dog. They loved their life with him, even though he sometimes tore down the blinds. And when he went away, they missed him very, very much.


Soundtrack: "My Dog Bliss"