Dave…

FM (Freakin’ Magic) is one of my oldest clients. He and I have worked together over a decade. He has taught me a lot along the way. He is a virtuous dog owner besides being a virtuous builder, husband, father, and friend. I’m sharing a bit today about his writing and my thoughts around his recently deceased dog, Dave. I hope you read on. I’ll start with FM’s writing recently…

“I am grateful for my dog Dave. Dave was a special gift to me. Dave exposed my strengths and weaknesses. When I got Dave I worked very hard training him. My goal was that he would be well trained so I could take him everywhere with me. I read about how to train, I talked to experts, I hired a trainer to show me and I spent the time. Spending the time, being consistent, and a lot of practice is the formula that worked for me.”

He discovered a few tricks along the way; treats. Dave would work for food. He worked hard. FM worked hard training him. Dave was exhausted after these sessions. When FM pushed Dave too hard, Dave responded by laying down on the spot. He wouldn’t move. He just laid down. Done.

Dave loved everybody. Dave had a big heart. Dave was a gentleman. Dave never ate off of the table. Dave always wanted to be at your feet where ever you would sit. Dave was the ultimate loyal associate. Dave was one of FM’s few.

FM learned by working hard and training Dave early on we all had better lives. Dave and FM were happier as a result of their hard training together. Their company was too. Even those of us who only visited Dave on the occasional visit to FM’s office – our lives were better when greeted by gentleman Dave’s silent smile and inviting wag.

Dave’s physical abilities declined as time took its normal toll. He was unable to live normally as he did earlier in his life. Dave taught FM patience. Dave lost his hearing and in his last months could barely lift himself. He still smiled. He couldn’t hear. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t lift his able body off the ground – gravity was winning. Dave was going down. He was going down with grace. He couldn’t hold his hind quarters up to “do his business,” so FM held his hind quarter for him. FM aided Dave down with grace. FM was gentle. FM was Dave’s man.

I enjoyed watching this process even though it was painful to see. A couple friday’s back, I steered my car over to FM’s office for a visit in between clients. I had a bit of margin and decided a surprise visit was in the cards. Much to my chagrin, FM was buried in a client presentation and unavailable. Dave was sprawled out in his normal place in the entry way. He didn’t see or hear me. I walked over and laid down beside him for a little love. Dave obliged with his smile and little wag. He was always ready to give any visitor all he had, and Dave always had a lot. One last pet of his head lifted my spirit.

The following day, Dave went down for the last time. He won’t be getting up. His spirit lives on in all of us, none more so than in the heart of his man, FM. Thanks, Dave, for modeling the way, embracing acute pain, and embodying love. You made FM a better man. You taught him a lot. You were his best friend. You are missed.

Dave will always be FM’s dog…