Dave here:
I thought I'd share just a glimpse or two of what Earl Lee was like, as seen from me:
Earl Lee was NOT a gun enthusiast.
One evening, shortly after he began his life with us, I went to our gun safe and drew a rifle from it, intending to inspect it/ clean it. As I walked through the living room carrying the rifle, Earl Lee saw what I had and began voicing his objections. LOUDLY. How do these little doggitys pack such loud voices into such little bodies? Dee was bemused; I simply knew Earl Lee did not approve of the rifle, and so I did the sensible thing and put the rifle away. When I walked out into the living room again, sans firearm, Earl Lee's stern gaze melted as though to say "That's better." I never again cleaned any firearms in Earl Lee's presence...
Earl Lee was really a marshmallow...
He could bark-up a storm when people first visited--- but he quickly softened and would become a (happily for us) lapdog who craved petting. And he had the SMOOOOOOTHEST coat...I found myself petting him and his brothers more than I have in the past. Perhaps Earl Lee was telling me that the petting is important to the both of us...
He was Mommy's PROTECTOR
Once lights went out at our house, Earl Lee assumed responsibity for Homeland Defense. Every noise was subject to a DEFCON ONE alert; even I was not immune from "setting off the alarm."
I'd sleepily apologize to Earl Lee, and would receive a low growl as his "apology". The more I think of this part of Earl Lee's life--- the funnier it gets. Out of a deep sleep, I would sometimes get concerned that Earl Lee would actually FORGET that I lived here, too...
He was the household BAROMETER
A happy house was his "huckleberry". Dee and I spent quite a few evenings just enjoying pleasant conversation while the dogs explored the backyard. Earl Lee was the CHAMPION Bird Doo-Doo finder... To him, that sttuff was Old Spice!
Earl Lee was a BUDDY
To me, to Dee, and to Everybuddy here... Thanks for your concern, prayers, rays, and donations--- Earl Lee was a lucky dog to have had you as his friends
Dave,
I wrote a reminder of all things Ingrid just after she passedbefore Nick managed home to remind myself of her, as we never expect a young one to go.
On the spirit side, you might still have him around, Angus was still around in Willow Glen when we moved David asked if we had told the new owners about him, I said no as he may move with us, I have had one brief blonde moment here..................so DEFCOM one may still be activated.
Roberta
Thanks for the description of Earl Lee. I loved reading your impressions of him. He was certainly a dog with real purposes to his life. I am so glad he found you and Dee before going on to the Bridge. He shall be missed by all of us greatly. He left us much too soon.
Darcel
Thank you so much, Dave, for sharing these heartwarming insights of your life with Earl. He was so obviously meant to spend time with you and Dee and his wonderful character shines out of every picture and every memory shared. It is so very sad you had so little time together. I´m sure he is up there at the bridge remembering how his time with you was the best of his whole - too short - life. What a gorgeous boy and great character!
Dee here: Here are a few memories of the many that I have of Earl:
~~How much love, comfort, fun, trust, and juvenile delinquency God could pack into a little 11 pound four-legged doxie.
~~Earl was a snuggler and a lover, always wanting to cuddle and sit next to me no matter where I was at.
~~When Earl wanted attention or something else, he would use his right paw to paw you gently, tilt his head, and do a little dance while wagging his tail.
~~When Earl wanted to play with his brothers, he would paw at them and then run away especially with Sarge; with Duggie, he loved to play tug o war or chase after each other. When he wanted
Duggie's attention, he would nip at his ears, his front legs or his back legs, always in play and Duggie fell for it every time.
~~Earl was Protector and Guard Dog of his Mommy......no one was going to come between him and his Mom when he thought I needed protecting!
~~Earl always took on the responsibility to round up his older brothers when it was time to go outside. If they didn't go to the door right away, he was off to paw them and chase them to the door.
He took his responsibility very seriously!
~~He was a super sensitive boy........he picked up on moods, stress........and reacted by the tone of all......he was such a good boy!
~~But, most of all, he was my juvenile delinquent, and I will miss his antics and his love~!
I'm so glad you shared your memories of your sweet boy. They wiggle into our little hearts so quickly!! He went to the bridge way too soon, but he had such a happy life spent with you. Thanks for caring for this sweet boy, even if the time was much too short!! :heart:
Earl was a lucky one....but I think you were very darn lucky too :heart: Thank you for sharing him :comfort:
I have a feeling that if there is small rip in a cushion somewhere that has yet to be repaired, it may be left for awhile-just so you can think of Earl and his many juvenile delinquent moments. If not, you can always come to this board and read some of the posts you wrote! He did have a way of letting you know he didn't like being left in the house if you were outside having fun!
Ooooh, I'm just lovin' the recollections of our Earl. What a little sweetheart. Thanks for sharing your memories with us, Dee and Dave. :heart:
Thank you, and thank you Dee as well, for sharing this wonderful tribute to Earl Lee with us! :heart: :heart: He was meant to be with you for his too short time in this world, and you did him proud in the love you shared with him!! Though he left too soon, he left knowing how much he was loved and cherished, the greatest gift you could have given him, and did give him in abundance. We will all miss him, though we cannot as much as you who shared his life, and hope that you will continue to share your memories of him with us. He will not be forgotten! :heart: Hugs and cuddles to Sarge and Duggie, too, who are no doubt missing their delinquent little brother. :comfort:
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog, whose time with us was far too short.
In a lot of ways, he so reminded me of my own Rudy-angel. We are heartbroken. It is also a reminder that our furkids' tenure with us is only temporary and we should cherish all the moments, both good and the not-so-good.
I was so sorry to here about Earl Lee! Iontt has been 8 months since we've had to put Manny our long haired one down and my Mom still can't talk about him.
What beautiful and precious memories! Earl Lee certainly had a major impact on all of us in his short life. I've been reading and been reminded of things in Revelation, and remember, there are plants and animals in Heaven. I believe that pets will be raptured the same as people, and the Rainbow Bridge is their waiting room. (Earl, please chew on something else while you're waiting for your mama and papa!)
He was a very special boy, Dave. Your words really 'paint' a loving picture of him. It's so good to hear that you're thinking of the good times!
Sarge's and King's and Earls - OH MY!
Dave & Dee....as we approach King Sol's 13th birthday (GOLDEN, August 13) we know that his time here is closing in. No insensitivity intended, but we find comfort knowing that when the time comes he will have buddies on the other side of rainbow bridge. I can never forget the support from everyone when the King had to have back surgery or be put to sleep when he was 4 yrs old. Every day with him is a blessing. I know that Earl is happy where he is, and that you understand the reason he was in your lives.
Hugs all around.