Another brand of four-leggeds forged in loyalty, a timely segment cut from ‘Outlaws & Angels,’ or…
‘Just my dog…’
A character like her namesake who still rides the silver screen with Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, none other than Etta Place! Saddled up, Sundance’s woman chose not to go to Bolivia. Said the outlaw, “Whatever Etta wants.”
As the footlights dimmed, when asked about my dog, I’d say that she’s still with me, or, she’d be gone. When I’d go out, I’d get anxious, wondering, until... “Mama’s home!” I’d already told Etta that when she decides to leave me, to not do it all alone, but to please wait for me so I can be there for her, loving her, talking to her, holding her as she takes that last breath.
And so the hour was at hand…
On April 2, 2013, Etta was there waiting for me, those eyes of hers looking on me as if searching my soul. After lunch, we took our favorite walk to the bank. Their #1 Customer could barely make it, repeatedly falling down, laying on the sidewalk. I saw a friend across the street on a job. “Jeff, will you help me!”
Once home, I called the vet. “Bring her right up!”
Jeff & I did.
I knew it was time…
Upon the table where Etta lay, I held her, whispered over & over how much I love her. After my dog lay dead in my arms, I sensed her spirit in her body, but, on the ride home, I sensed her spirit riding with us before Jeff said, “She took the walk just for you.”
And so for thirteen years, my faithful sidekick & I have journeyed old dusty trails. Today, when glancing upon her box of ashes, suddenly, I felt like a failure. Why? For all that I failed to attract, specifically, that Outlaw & his pal for me & my dog. Thence, as opposed to thinking failures, I swiftly tracked on accomplishments. Or, inspired for me by my dog long ago, “Mama, what really matters?”
No matter, Etta was there with me, always, always, always.
Just my dog?
So sings yours truly…