Paying My Respects

It was around this time last year that Ralph, my spunky totally loveable (slightly husky) maltese, passed away and I feel that it is only right that I pay him my respects when he has given me so much.

He was about 15 years old when he passed and was having complications. He had just had surgery to get a tumor removed and a few weeks later we had to admit him to the vet because he had an infection on his paws that was getting worse. The sad part is he was there for 3 weeks when he passed away (right before thanksgiving) and I never got a chance to say good bye or tell him how much he meant to me.

Here he is looking all handsome in his cute little bandana
and his favorite pink bone. (Not very manly but he didn't care)

For anyone who has pets you know they are more than just a dog or a cat or whatever else, they are an extension of your family and you grieve their loss just like you would a family members. I remember the night I came home from work and my mom was at my house. I remember pulling up the driveway and seeing her car thinking “Oh Lord what has Anthony done now”. But I knew instantly the moment I opened the door and saw her tear stained face that Ralph had passed. There would be no other explanation for her visit other than that. At first I think I was just numb, I mean I always knew this day would come but never really thought about it, who likes to think about stuff like that. I knew he wasn’t happy or comfortable and was relieved that his suffering was over but immediatly felt the loss of never seeing him again. This is how great my mom is, she knew I was going to take the news hard so she had packed an over night bag and was prepared to stay the night with me. Clint was there but she knew he wouldn't know what to do. At the time I thought I was okay and told her she didn't need to stay, but the later it got I started thinking about him and all the love and joy he brought to my life. Needless to say I had I take the next day off of work.

He loved to sleep with his head on a pillow and under the covers. We spent many saturday mornings this way.

I remember when my we first brought him home he was just a handful of white fluff and the spunkiest thing you’ve ever seen. I was in 9th grade at the time, about to start high school and there was an instant bond the minute I saw him. I grew up with him, he helped me survive the awkwardness of high school, the uncertainty of college and he was there waiting for me when I graduated and moved back home. He was my best friend and four legged companion who to this day I still tear up when I think about him. I mean come on, I got my senior pictures taken with him, whether it was cool or not…..that’s how much he meant to me.

Baby Ralphers

Senior Pics (Sorry I had to take a picture of a picture and couldn't get the flash to work properly, ignore the huge bright spot on my forehead)

Luckily, a year before Clint and I  got Max and although he by no means replaces Ralph he def. helped to heal the void that I felt in my heart and for that I will always be grateful. And every time Max is driving Clint crazy, which is quite often, I just have to remind him that I would not have gotten through losing Ralph without him. When I stayed home from work after Ralph had passed, Max and I stayed on the couch most of the day and every time I cried he would lick my face and cuddle me. No one loves you unconditionally like a dog....I'm sure cats are great but dogs know how to take care of you when you need it.

I was told once when I was younger that I would “eat my young” if I ever had kids (true story said by my own mother no less) probably because I was never interested in baby sitting when I was younger, I could care less about babies, little kids annoyed me, and so on..…so I guess it was a logical conclusion at the time, until we got Ralph. He brought out my nurturing side that had been dormant for so many years…….so thank you Ralp (Ralphers, Sir Ralph-a-lot, Ralphikins, Ralphanator, Ralph Goldstein, this was his jewish alter ego…don’t ask) for your love, your loyalty, your companionship….and most of all baby H thanks you because now he/she will not get eaten…..that felt wrong even as I was typing it.

In loving memory……to Ralph!