Usually, Bismark writes these Blogs and since his sense of humor is so much better than mine, I gladly let him. This time, however, I wanted to do the entry since it is one of a serious nature and one I feel compelled to write.Throughout the past three years we have had over 25 dogs take part in our two "Canines for Kids Walks"- from Albany to Long Island to San Francisco. For the pooches, that have taken part in the Albany Walks, we have had them back to our house for a short get together and snacks.
Each of the two years, one of our most beautiful and well behaved Walkers was Clark, a Golden Retriever, owned by two dear friends, Sean and Tina. Susi and I had the privilege to dog-sit for Clark when he was just a puppy and, even then, it was obvious that this was an exceptional dog. He was so smart, learning our “house rules”, the very first day, and even though he was only a pup, he still towered over Bismark. Yet he was sweet, gentle, and allowed "The Bis" to be the boss of his own home.
While back at the house, after each Walk, Clark played in the back yard with the others while avoiding the tempers of some of the smaller dogs. A few times I remember watching Clark as two other canines were having a bit of an argument. He simply sat and watched, virtually regal in his stance and stare. The expression on his face almost said, “Come on guys, play nice.”
Because of Clark’s participation in our two "Canines For Kids Walks", the nearly $400 raised by him has made its way to Costa Rican children and their schools. Regal, smart, gentle and just plain fun, anyone who ever met Clark could not help but fall in love with him immediately. He was beautiful on the outside and on the inside.
This past Spring, Clark started to get sick and after several trips to the vet, it was determined that this three year old, amazing dog, had cancer. In spite of all efforts to defeat the disease, Clark succumbed to the cancer on July 7, 2009. Susi and I share in the grief felt by Tina and Sean’s family.
We extend our most sincere hope that the pain will soon pass and only good memories will remain.
How special are these animals to us?!
How much we love them-even more, how much they love us! I have often said, I wish I was half the man my dog thinks me to be. They fill such a need in our lives and leave such a void when we lose them.
We are in the early stages of planning another Canines For Kids Walk for the Fall. I look forward to seeing all of our Walkers, meeting new ones, and again, seeing old ones.
Regardless, we will miss Clark.
No other way to say it. Purely and simply.
We will miss Clark.
Dave Cleveland
3 comments:
We love you Clark!
Clark sounds like my dog. I'll be holding him closer today.
Dave -Thank You so much for all your love and support. Both you and Susi have been so wonderful to us during this difficult and extremely painful time. He was our comic relief, our soft pillow, our buddy and our joy. There is not a minute we don't wish to have him back with us. He was amazing...even in the end. He adapted to being blind, he never got miserable or mean....even though we knew he had to be in enormous pain. He was the best, best dog we have ever been blessed to have called our own. Thank you...thank your family. You have shared in Clark's life and his death with us. Your love and support has meant the world to us.
Always, Tina
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