Thursday, April 12, 2007

The best dog ever

I got him when he was just a white-haired little pup about the size of my fist. He was a graduation present from my future stepmom. They were already calling him Mak because he kept to himself and acted real cool.
We spent most of that summer together. He loved to ride shotgun with his head out the passenger side window.
When I went off to college he stayed behind. There were no dogs allowed in the dorms. For two years we only got see each other on holidays and the occasional weekend visit.
Once I moved out of the dorms he joined me at 200 West Starr. His weekly escapes became a household routine and many a Sig Tau pledge spent their work hours walking up and down the streets of Nac yelling his name.
And he always made his way back - whether on his own, with the help of a neighbor, or if by dumb luck someone mentioned him to the family that took him in.
He even followed me across the street once and got rolled over by a car. But he bounced right up and was just fine.
He eventually crossed paths with a bigger meaner dog and lost an eye for it. In time his other eye would also deteriorate due to cataracts.
He stayed with me throughout college and into the working world. When I took this traveling job and his eyesight got bad enough I realized it was time he went back home.
He spent the last 4 months at my mom's house, where it all started.
I got to see him this past weekend for the last time. We tussled on the living room carpet and then took a nap on the couch. When I left on Easter Sunday I had no idea it would be the last time I'd see him.
It seems he made one final escape early Wednesday morning and got hit by a passing car. I guess it's fitting that he should go out that way. He always loved to take a trip.
I miss you buddy. You were a good boy.