I owned the most gentle and eager to please mutt, Chaz. Back story: I am not a dog person—I’m a cat girl! Chaz migrated from my ex-husband’s home to my home sometime early 2000s. Eventually, my son graduated high school and Chaz remained in our home. My husband did the walking, feeding, playing and even showers with him once a week. I did potty duty during the day but it was on a leash and only as long as it took to get the deed done.
Chaz melted the heart of anyone who visited our home; we had out-of-town friends that would drive to Charleston just to pet sit. My husband slipped snacks into his morning breakfast. Chaz wants for nothing.
Since my childhood, I’ve always sensed I could feel people and animal energy. When I heard there was an animal communicator holding sessions, I had to sign up. I brought Chaz.
We waited for her to ask, “What does your pet want more of, and what does your pet want less of?” But, out of the gate, my dog wouldn’t let Barbara get a word in edgewise. She looked at me, smiled and said, “Chaz won’t let me speak. He insists that he has to let you know why he is in your life.”
I stared at Barbara, waiting on Chaz’s message. “He says the reason he is in your life is because you needed something gentle.”
True, the atmosphere of my earlier young adult life was far from peaceful or gentle. Wow!
“Let me ask him what he wants more of….”
I sat quietly.
“He says he doesn’t want anything. He says he has everything he needs. He is a happy dog.” Wow!
“Let me ask him what he wants less of…. Again, he says he is happy. His home is very peaceful.”
I looked at them both and said, “I can’t believe he didn’t talk about his showers with my husband.”
Barbara looked at Chaz and mentioned my husband’s name. She started laughing and relayed, “He said that he loves Steve because he takes him on really long walks and lets him run.” Guilty as charged!
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On September 22, 2015, our wonderful 15 year old dog passed. He was always eager to please and pushed his old man body farther against high levels of pain. In spite of the deep emotional hole we are coping with, being a pet owner with a lovely dependent, there is responsibility on both sides of the coin. Good times and hard times. We cannot refuse to ignore issues involving any loved one because it is emotionally difficult. So, as I read on a sympathy card: When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Thank you, Chaz, for a treasure chest of memory gems.
So sweet…I loved this story!
Chaz is a very sweet dog. But, now on a diet!
An interesting way to comment about husbands , Kat.
Man’s best friend… Chaz! All about the weekend shower!
My pup apparently is a very honest dog of few words!
I plead the Fifth!
This made me cry…again! There is nothing more painful than losing a treasured pet. Mine were like the kids I never had. But you can’t beat the memories! Golden! Thanks for sharing this again, Kat:)
I’m not even a dog person and he converted me! What an amazing soul that was put in our every day routine. Steve did not spoil Chaz, he was just well trained! Thanks for your comment sweetie.
Sweet Chaz. I enjoyed our time with him as a newly married couple before he came to live with you. He’s responsible for us getting dogs as well! Amazing little creature. So happy that he’s pain free and playing with my boys and girls at the rainbow bridge!
His huge willing to please heart was a joy to so many of us. He has shed his doggie jacket and bounces around with all our loved ones (both furry and related) until we join them.
Little did I know a few years ago, I would be reposting this with a final ending. But, as we discussed, he left us with a treasure chest of memory gems. Herding Chana’s Great Danes at Folly Beach, chasing his squeaky plastic soccer ball before he got arthritis, adopting and taking naps with his new kitten, Hollywood…. Seth’s childhood memories with his friends. Baths on Saturday in the shower with you running around the house an drying off on our rugs. So, so many that I can’t even put here. Love you more, Chaz!
I am not much of a dog person either. Chazz and I have spent a lot of time together while you and Steve were gone and always found our common ground on food and walks and enjoyed them–especially when I didnt hear a golf cart moving in and he could attack them. Oddly, I will miss our dog-time together. It was good for both of us.
He was a wonderful little doggie soul. We appreciate and were always relieved with the people willing to provide for his care when we were off. Glad you were blessed with our Mighty Dog!
Kathleen this little gem that you have written strikes me as you at your personal best as a verbal artist. So many levels of emotion. Yet appears so simple. But it definitely is not. From your heart to ours. APPLAUSE
Thanks Aunt Pat. It is getting used to the routines that change without his little eyes gleaming up at us.