TarHeelMom
Cathlete
Hi everyone!
This morning in my e-mail I received an update, as I do often, from the wonderful little company called "Two Roads Fitness" owned by Jan Gray. I found this company through Cathe's site -- it is the source for the Asics Kumo bra tops (lipstick and light blue) worn in the BB series. Anyway, since then I've ordered other stuff from Jan and have found the service, Jan and her company to be so friendly and helpful. A real Cathe-style vendor. I really do recommend them.
Today's update was unlike any other and I want to share it with you folks, especially in light of how we all know Cathe and so many of us feel about our dogs. Jan and her husband have lost their beloved coon hound Chico. Like Cathe, Jan and her husband are involved in a service dogs organization (this one called "Helping Paws".)
Here is the letter from Jan Gray, so beautifully written. It was accompanied by a picture that I can't link to, of Jan and Chico. My heart just breaks for her. I'm sure she would appreciate hearing from any of you who feel inclined to drop her an e-mail.
"A year ends...and a new one begins.
January 5, 2004
On a September Carolina day in 1990, my husband Zeb and I stood in the middle of 8 roly-poly blue tick coonhound pups. Five of them, including one we had already picked, were spoken for, and 3 little boys were left. Zeb pointed to one and said "That's a cute pup", and he was ours. When the breeder handed us his papers, the pup's name given to him by the breeder was Rowdy-the name of a dog Zeb has lost 10 years earlier. Zeb named him Chico, and he and his litter- mate Molly howled the whole way home. . .
Chico grew into a strong, powerful, handsome dog. Every inch of him rippled with muscle and heart. Watching him run loose down along the river bottoms where we lived was like seeing a scene from Field and Stream-ears flapping, tongue hanging out, legs stretched as far as they could go. He was in heaven, and life just didn't get any better.
Of course I couldn't talk about him without mentioning his voice. When he threw his head back and let loose that hound bay, it was like the sound engaged his whole body from the tip of his tail. We lived for several years near Linville Gorge, at the base of Table Rock Mountain. Zeb took Outward Bound students on rock climbs, and while hundreds of feet up on the rock face, Zeb had the students call for Chico. "Chico, Chiiiiiico!", both students and Zeb would yell. Upon hearing his name, Chico would respond with a howl that said "turn me loose, let me run up there"! It was wonderful to hear him sing through those mountains and valleys.
There were 2 things he loved in this world. One was running. In the way that only dogs know, he could tell the difference between us opening a drawer to get out running clothes, or opening a drawer to get out work clothes. The former would set him running all over the house, knocking over Molly, wagging his tail, and voicing his approval of our choice to take him for a run. There was never a problem too big that a good long run wouldn't solve. Once outside, miles were no object-he'd tug on his leash whether we ran up or down hills, 5 miles or 25 miles. He sniffed everything. Now and then he'd put his head in the air, and you could see his nostrils flaring in and out. I always wondered what was registering in his mind during those times. The whole of the world was in the air.
The second "thing" he loved was Zeb. When I'd see Zeb riding his bike home from work, all I'd have to say is "look who's home!" There was nothing more exciting for Chico than standing at the door, barking away, because the person he loved the most was going to walk in the door and give him a hug. He taught us plenty about love, companionship, and that all those petty things that upset us really weren't a big deal at all. When he heard a rumble of thunder, he immediately got up from wherever he was in the house and jumped on our bed. It was his "safe place" in case of lightning.
A few months ago, the vet suspected he had cancer. I didn't want to believe it-after all, he still ate well and wanted to go for walks. He did seem to be slowing down a bit, particularly getting up and laying down. Then over the holidays, his walks were slower. He didn't want to stop and sniff, and he never was able to get comfortable. Last Sunday he took a turn for the worse, and went downhill quickly. Early Wednesday morning, Chico laid on our bed, his safe place, rested his head on Zeb's arm, and died peacefully. My friend Vicki said that it "sounds like Chico wanted to start the New Year off fresh without disease or pain." There is no doubt that he and Molly are running the hills and trails together, full-tilt, all-out, not a care in the world.
In the newspaper the next day, a comic strip shows 2 women sitting together. The first says: "I want a man who's loyal, faithful, patient, attentive, forgiving, unselfish, even-tempered, and a good listener."
The second replies: "You want a dog".
That dog was Chico.
If you knew Chico and would like to make a donation in his memory, please donate to Helping Paws, Inc. (http://www.helpingpaws.org), an organization that trains service dogs.
Zeb and I wish all of you a healthy and productive 2004, and extend our sincere thanks for all your support!
Jan Gray
Two Roads Fitness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
email: [email protected]
voice: 800.240.8176
web: http://www.tworoadsfitness.com"
Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to read this. Hugs to all of you, and love to your dear pets, both here and those who are over the Rainbow Bridge.
http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
This morning in my e-mail I received an update, as I do often, from the wonderful little company called "Two Roads Fitness" owned by Jan Gray. I found this company through Cathe's site -- it is the source for the Asics Kumo bra tops (lipstick and light blue) worn in the BB series. Anyway, since then I've ordered other stuff from Jan and have found the service, Jan and her company to be so friendly and helpful. A real Cathe-style vendor. I really do recommend them.
Today's update was unlike any other and I want to share it with you folks, especially in light of how we all know Cathe and so many of us feel about our dogs. Jan and her husband have lost their beloved coon hound Chico. Like Cathe, Jan and her husband are involved in a service dogs organization (this one called "Helping Paws".)
Here is the letter from Jan Gray, so beautifully written. It was accompanied by a picture that I can't link to, of Jan and Chico. My heart just breaks for her. I'm sure she would appreciate hearing from any of you who feel inclined to drop her an e-mail.
"A year ends...and a new one begins.
January 5, 2004
On a September Carolina day in 1990, my husband Zeb and I stood in the middle of 8 roly-poly blue tick coonhound pups. Five of them, including one we had already picked, were spoken for, and 3 little boys were left. Zeb pointed to one and said "That's a cute pup", and he was ours. When the breeder handed us his papers, the pup's name given to him by the breeder was Rowdy-the name of a dog Zeb has lost 10 years earlier. Zeb named him Chico, and he and his litter- mate Molly howled the whole way home. . .
Chico grew into a strong, powerful, handsome dog. Every inch of him rippled with muscle and heart. Watching him run loose down along the river bottoms where we lived was like seeing a scene from Field and Stream-ears flapping, tongue hanging out, legs stretched as far as they could go. He was in heaven, and life just didn't get any better.
Of course I couldn't talk about him without mentioning his voice. When he threw his head back and let loose that hound bay, it was like the sound engaged his whole body from the tip of his tail. We lived for several years near Linville Gorge, at the base of Table Rock Mountain. Zeb took Outward Bound students on rock climbs, and while hundreds of feet up on the rock face, Zeb had the students call for Chico. "Chico, Chiiiiiico!", both students and Zeb would yell. Upon hearing his name, Chico would respond with a howl that said "turn me loose, let me run up there"! It was wonderful to hear him sing through those mountains and valleys.
There were 2 things he loved in this world. One was running. In the way that only dogs know, he could tell the difference between us opening a drawer to get out running clothes, or opening a drawer to get out work clothes. The former would set him running all over the house, knocking over Molly, wagging his tail, and voicing his approval of our choice to take him for a run. There was never a problem too big that a good long run wouldn't solve. Once outside, miles were no object-he'd tug on his leash whether we ran up or down hills, 5 miles or 25 miles. He sniffed everything. Now and then he'd put his head in the air, and you could see his nostrils flaring in and out. I always wondered what was registering in his mind during those times. The whole of the world was in the air.
The second "thing" he loved was Zeb. When I'd see Zeb riding his bike home from work, all I'd have to say is "look who's home!" There was nothing more exciting for Chico than standing at the door, barking away, because the person he loved the most was going to walk in the door and give him a hug. He taught us plenty about love, companionship, and that all those petty things that upset us really weren't a big deal at all. When he heard a rumble of thunder, he immediately got up from wherever he was in the house and jumped on our bed. It was his "safe place" in case of lightning.
A few months ago, the vet suspected he had cancer. I didn't want to believe it-after all, he still ate well and wanted to go for walks. He did seem to be slowing down a bit, particularly getting up and laying down. Then over the holidays, his walks were slower. He didn't want to stop and sniff, and he never was able to get comfortable. Last Sunday he took a turn for the worse, and went downhill quickly. Early Wednesday morning, Chico laid on our bed, his safe place, rested his head on Zeb's arm, and died peacefully. My friend Vicki said that it "sounds like Chico wanted to start the New Year off fresh without disease or pain." There is no doubt that he and Molly are running the hills and trails together, full-tilt, all-out, not a care in the world.
In the newspaper the next day, a comic strip shows 2 women sitting together. The first says: "I want a man who's loyal, faithful, patient, attentive, forgiving, unselfish, even-tempered, and a good listener."
The second replies: "You want a dog".
That dog was Chico.
If you knew Chico and would like to make a donation in his memory, please donate to Helping Paws, Inc. (http://www.helpingpaws.org), an organization that trains service dogs.
Zeb and I wish all of you a healthy and productive 2004, and extend our sincere thanks for all your support!
Jan Gray
Two Roads Fitness
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
email: [email protected]
voice: 800.240.8176
web: http://www.tworoadsfitness.com"
Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to read this. Hugs to all of you, and love to your dear pets, both here and those who are over the Rainbow Bridge.
http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
