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Last week was a tough one, as my wife and I had to say goodbye to our 15-year-old Pomeranian, Rambo. He was a good boy – one of the goodest – but the light in his once bright eyes was fading, his beautiful black fur was falling out, he needed help just going outside to relieve himself and his race was clearly at the finish line.
It would have been cruel to keep him alive just because we couldn’t stand the thought of him not being with us. We loved him to much to let that happen.
We buried Rambo (who for some reason I nicknamed “Rambolicious,” but it seemed appropriate) in the family pet cemetery next to our home, joining dogs Roxy, Ruby, Spike, Bailey and Copper; cats Milo and Snickers; a duck, hamster, turtle and probably another animal or two I’ve forgotten. They are not just “pets” in our house – they are family, and they deserve to be remembered.
What makes Rambo’s loss more difficult is his life reached back to other family members who are no longer here. He got to lick my beloved grandma’s face before she left this world. He was buddies with my mom, getting so excited whenever he saw her that he would occasionally wet himself. He slept in my son’s bed whenever he was home, and in our bed whenever he wasn’t.
Cuddling with Rambo was like getting a big ol’ hug from heaven, even when he wasn’t nearly as soft as he used to be.
Thinking about spending a decade and a half with Rambo made me also think about my personal and professional lives since moving back to Murphy in 2003. Like everyone else, I’ve suffered loss, but I’ve also been blessed with an abundance of love, like the five grandchildren I adore more than life itself. I missed way too much time that I’ll never get back with my four children over the course of my nearly 41-year newspaper career, and I don’t want to make that same mistake with the next generation.
My work family has also been very special to me. Together, the Cherokee Scout has won more than 250 regional, statewide and company journalism and advertising awards, including being a multiple-time General Excellence winner from the N.C. Press Association as well as being declared Best of CNI eight times over 10 years. Our walls are filled with nice things from community organizations that we’ve been proud to promote. That’s a heckuva run.
A former Scout editor, the late great Matthew Osborne, used to make an open, pro wrestling-style challenge to other newspapers to come on down to 89 Sycamore St. if they wanted to be No. 1. He had no takers, so I guess we must have done pretty good, even without an introduction by legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer.
More importantly, the vast majority of folks I’ve worked with have been really great people. I have always believed it’s more important to hire good human beings first, not just those who are good at a job, and I’m a better person today for having spent so much time around the Scout’s first-class associates. They deserve your support.
As much as Rambo’s death pains me, I know it was for the best. I know he is better off crossing Rainbow Bridge, even if we won’t be on the same side for a while. I know God answered a prayer, even if it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I asked for help – although I’m positive that getting our Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy was a big part of His plan. (He even has papers, and not just the kind doggies learn to wee on.)
However, while losing something you love hurts, it doesn’t take away from the many wonderful moments that were shared. It doesn’t erase the good memories. And it won’t stop us from talking about it and having a good laugh down the line.
The writer can be reached via email at dbrown1113@msn.com.