Boy,I Miss Old Clint

Clint--Franklin, Tennessee, 2002

Boy, I Miss Old Clint

I heard that knock on the side of my office wall. That’s how my wife always
alerted me. She had arrived to pick me up from work at the Newspaper.
We had only been in Franklin, Tennessee for a couple of weeks but already
enjoyed and marveled at the beauty of this place.

We had traveled across the country before getting here after flying to Los
Angeles from Kona, Hawaii. It was good to be back on the mainland and in
our recent travels I had met most of her family spread out from Ohio
to Alabama.

She had called me earlier to let me know her search for the pet Dog we
wanted was fruitless that day but as I opened the Car door there he was.
(Mostly ears)

Clint.

I gave her a hug and started looking this boy over. My God his ears were huge.
But his paws looked like they should have been hooked to a Bear.We got home
and the three of us came in. Clint like most animals spent some time exploring then
took care of what he really had on his mind.
Geez, the pile he left right there in the living room would have given any Man
pride to have discharged. I thought “Oh God, we have to housebreak this guy?”
Turned out that he only did that one time. Marked his spot I guess.
(Hell this whole house became “His spot”)

From that first night I could see that Clint was going to be a Mommies dog.
He cuddled with her on the couch, big brown eyes staring at me like
“Hey, come on over pal, see what ya get”.

Now it was a little different if it was “Lets go outside” time.If I had his chain
he was my dog. He loved me and was my first mate. Same story if she
had the chain.

Clint was a pretty smart dog I thought. Long and low and very slow. He was
a grand animal indeed.
Late at night if I went up to the computer, here came Clint, he loved to crawl
under the computer stand leaving no room for my feet.

Why? Well, you explain it, I sure cant.

Clint became a big part of our small family and I remember wondering how
we ever got along without him around.
Then that day came. My wife and I had decided that we could not make it
together and it was time for me to leave.

From early in the morning he stayed right with me. I think he must have known.
I think Old Clint knew this was the last time he and I would have a day together.
It was just he and I that day, all day long. We played, we cuddled and I cried
a lot in the bathroom where he couldn’t see me. When it was time to leave I
took him outside and walked around with him for the last time. It was already
getting cool in Colorado and winter was on its way.

So here I am today here in California.

Sometimes late at night I miss her but I miss old Clint all the time. Especially,
right now, here at my computer writing.
I would give anything to look down and see him taking up all of the space I
needed for my feet.

Anything.

I wonder what he is doing right now?
Outside, nose in the air sniffing whatever he sniffs there in Colorado?
Inside, sleeping on my recliner, which he claimed for his own each time
I went into the kitchen for some coffee.
I wonder if he smells that odor I may have left behind? If so, does he
remember me, does he remember all of those times we played on the floor?
I wonder often if he misses me like I miss him?
Well I do feel good in knowing that she loves him and will always take
care of him.

I look at his picture; I wipe away the tears again.

I sure miss Old Clint a lot.

He was my best friend and I had to go away.

Bobby

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