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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Shepherd

May, 30, 2009

Luke Skywalker Buenger arrived just in time. He insinuated himself into our household in the summer of 1996. . .definitely there, but not particularly invited. Some neighbor across the road owned him, but seemed not to notice that he had changed residence (maybe Luke forgot to fill out one of those postal change of address forms, just like he forgot that his owner had named him Rusty or maybe he had signed up for the witness protection program).

By the time Erin was born the following summer he had become a permanent family member, much loved and fully adopted (and I might add, more than fully paid for). The first thing Davis noticed when we brought Erin home from the hospital was that "her hair was the color of Luke's ears." He was a prime specimen: four years old, born to swim and to lick children clean, no matter what they had left on their face. He loved the baby Erin (and thought he might pattern his life after Good Dog Carl):

He was always up for adventure and loved the water.


He was officially Davis's dog, and he adored Davis, but he was also a dog with a mission separate from Davis: Do whatever Erin wants, whenever she wants it.

Dress up like Erin's valiant steed for Halloween? You betcha.

Do an impression of Sister Bertrell as The Flying Nun? No problem.

Luke took this secondary job extremely seriously. Shortly after he turned thirteen, back in the spring of 2006, he had a major health set back that required heavy duty vet care, high quality meds, and a couple of months of water aerobics (they also recommended accupuncture, but we opted out). We knew that he had already passed the average life expectancy for a lab, and for most of the time since then we have expected him to just kick the bucket. Somehow, he just kept living. He ate well; until recently, he held his bodily functions until he was out of the house; he could mosey a little way down the road and back; his sniffer really worked. Eventually, his face turned almost completely white, but his ears remained the color of Erin's hair.


I don't know that he noticed when Erin died. By then, he was pretty deaf and blind. Still, I think he knew. I think he understood that although he was nominally a yellow lab, he was really a shepherd. . .Erin's shepherd. He welcomed her home from the hospital (at birth and many subsequent times), watched over her, and was there on the floor by the big green chair when she died. Having fulfilled his duty, he took a few weeks to make sure his other human charges were okay, then he too went peacefully along. He didn't make it to age seventeen, but he got close.

18 comments:

  1. What a dear, dear companion. I know you will miss him. Jane

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  2. damn vicki, i'm sorry, really sorry.

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  3. He will be missed!!

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  4. I'm so sorry, but I believe you are right. He fulfilled his duty here and wanted to join his beloved Erin.

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  5. He truly was Erin's Shepherd.

    Many hugs to you,
    Olivia

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  6. Im so sorry about your dog Vickie. Like you said, he was always up for whatever adventure Erin had in mind and I suppose she talked him into going along with her on the ultimate adventure. I know you will miss him. I hope you are doing okay- I think about you often and like to hear how you are.

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  7. Good boy, Luke. What a good boy. Such nice memories you have of him.

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  8. Luke took his work very seriously and wasn't about to leave before it was finished. I know that he and Erin are together and having a wonderful romp.

    Love,
    Janice S.

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  9. What a great tribute to a good dog! I'm honored to have met him, petted him. I think you must be right, he knew his charge and fulfilled it quite well!

    Lara

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  10. thanks for the unexpected mid-afternoon mini-sob. It sounds like Luke had a great run and was everything we all hope we get when we bring a dog into the family. I did NOT click on the life expectancy link since Molly turned 7 in January and I can't imagine the house without her (even when she wakes me up 3:30am just so I can tell her it is ok for her to jump in bed with Will). Good boy Luke...and well done taking care of your family.

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  11. What a sweet, sweet story. I'm shedding a few more tears for you as you send Luke across that Rainbow Bridge. But I smile as I picture the reunion between Luke and Erin! Lots of giggles and wet, sloppy kisses!!! Prayers for you and your family as you continue this journey.

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  12. Brought tears to the eye, so poignant a look back. I am sorry that Luke is gone and take comfort that he is with Erin again.

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  13. Oh, Vickie. I'm so sorry about Luke. But I am sure he is with Erin now, romping and playing and as full of life and health as she now is. I can't prove it in Scripture, but I'm certain our dear furry friends will be with us again someday. You're ever in our prayers. jenny in Idaho

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  14. Oh, Vickie. I'm so sorry about Luke. But I am sure he is with Erin now, romping and playing and as full of life and health as she now is. I can't prove it in Scripture, but I'm certain our dear furry friends will be with us again someday. You're ever in our prayers. jenny in Idaho

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  15. Oh, Vickie. I'm so sorry about Luke. But I am sure he is with Erin now, romping and playing and as full of life and health as she now is. I can't prove it in Scripture, but I'm certain our dear furry friends will be with us again someday. You're ever in our prayers. jenny in Idaho

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  16. Vickie,

    I'm so sorry about Luke. He was such a good, kind dog. I agree that it is like he waited for his job here to be done and now he has relocated to continue watching over Erin in heaven. I, too,think they are running full-tilt together,playing fetch and having all other kinds of fun together.

    I know you will miss him though...

    Thank you again for the lanyard workshops you are hosting. The girls really enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next one in a couple of weeks. I also wanted you to know that Kaleigh has named her horned-toad lizard "Spike" and he sleeps with her, and that Otis the Otter attended his first sleepover under Tiffany's care on Friday night and had a good time. :)

    Love,

    Kimberly

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  17. Vickie,

    So sorry to hear of your loss. He seemed like an adorable dog and anyone named after a Star Wars character has to have a straight shot up!

    -K

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  18. Sorry about your dog, but glad he's able to join Erin, I'm sure she's pleased with his arrival.

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