NEDABE
November 26, 2007

NEDABE is Penobscot for “Special friend” Nedabe has been my special friend for almost fourteen years. He was my dog. A chocolate Lab. He was bright, sharp, smart, and always willing to give a kiss or two to someone in need. He loved people. He trusted people. He was truly a people dog.

I lost him today. I cried all day long knowing that the end may come Still when it did, it came so fast I was not prepared.

He leaves me with memories of playful happy times. He was not always the most considerate or careful dog, like the time in 1997 when he ran into my leg and broke it. Three operations later, and now I still love my boy.

He loved to ride in my truck. I had a Ford Ranger and he would always be after me to take him for a ride. All I had to do was pick up the truck keys and he would hear them and come running eagerly anticipating his ride.

I took him for his ride every morning for thirteen years, eleven of those years in the Town of Richmond Maine. We would go for our ride to get coffee and pick up the morning paper. The morning rides continued after we moved to Bradley Maine. We had a morning routine, I eat breakfast and he would follow me from room to room with those sad eyes until I finally would give in and take him for his ride. Those eyes could get me up off the couch in the middle of a baseball or football game and believe me that is a hard thing to do! When the eyes didn’t work he would start to snarl his lip over his teeth and bark a deep hoarse bark and keep it up until he got what he wanted.

Yes at times he was a real pain, but I would take all the pain again jsut to have him back. I know he is with me in spirit and will be until it’s my time.

Thank you “Nedabe”, my special friend, for all the love and companionship you’ve given me for thirteen plus years….I love you