A Man’s Best Friend

Before I grow too frail and weak,

And all that’s left is peace in sleep

I know you’ll do what must be done

To end this fight that can’t be won.

I don’t fear death as humans do,

So, let me try to comfort you.

Come, let’s take a quiet stroll

And share some quietness, soul to soul.

No need for words between you and I,

No need to say a last Good-bye.

We’ve grown so close in mind and heart,

It seems so cruel that we must part.

Be sure I’ll sense the pain you’ll feel

Without me walking at your heel.

The days will seem full of despair,

Your “Sunshine” simply won’t be there.

In time, the pain will slowly wane,

You’ll think of me and smile again.

Now take me where my needs they’ll tend

And stay with me until the end.

Hold me close with soft Good-byes

Until life’s bright light has left my eyes.

The final sound I need to hear

Is your soft voice upon my ear.

Your loving face will fade and dim

As the rush of heaven closes in.

And when you start your journey home,

I’ll be right behind, you are not alone.

-K. Mills

This is the story of a man and his dog, and not just any dog, but a dog who changed a man’s life. A dog who made dreams come true and a dog who was defined as the epitome of a loyal partner and friend. Their names were John and Ogeechee River. When John was offered this black lab puppy as he was merely a young man himself, his first response was NO. Still trying to discover who he was and where his life was headed, and although he loves them, a dog was the furthest thing for his agenda. Ironically and thankfully, life has a special way of giving us the very things that we need when we least expect it. And so it happened, that precious furry bundle of joy came running to John, they laid eyes on each other, and the rest is what I call perfect history to a man and his best friend.

Geechee’s glory days are entangled with stories that are treasured and awe-inspiring. He’s a legend, and together, they made a lifetime of cherished memories. I didn’t get to see all of those glory days but what I did get to see was the bond that these two shared. There wasn’t a question of “How’s John?” without it being followed by “How’s Geechee?” There is so much that we will miss about him in our lives, even him chowing down on our chicken sandwiches after turning away for two seconds. I will miss him lying outside the shower waiting on me. We will miss seeing his ears blow in the wind on our afternoon boat rides and the colors of sunset fading behind his silhouette as he rides the bow. We will miss our nightly walks and laying with him until he fell asleep on his restless nights toward the end. I will miss all of him. I think for everyone, the homes that he shared have been pretty lonely without his presence. We still walk in waiting for him to greet us. After spending the last couple of years of Geechee’s life with him and John, I got to witness a bond unlike anything I’ve ever seen between man and dog. Writing their story has taken me time to merely figure out the words to truly depict even a glimpse of such a large lifetime memoir between the two of them. And with that being said, if there was ever a man and a dog to have such an unforgettable story, it’s these two.

His name was Ogeechee River, named after our biggest river here in our little coastal town. He was a gentle giant. Biggest lab that I’ve ever laid my eyes on. He was black as night and remained that way until the day he took his last breath at almost 14 years old. Innocent to a glance but a remarkable savage to everything else. His eyes were the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen. That’s how he used to speak to me. John used to ask me when he would stare at us, “What do you think he’s thinking right now?” and for some reason, his thoughts always made sense to me. The eyes are always the way to the soul. They are a powerful phenomenon, And his were nothing less than that. On those long nights, I could always tell how he was feeling based on those beloved eyes. I count my blessings and cherish the time that I had to get to know such an incredible animal to the entire k-9 species.

John has been a recreational hunter and fisher since a young age. It’s a huge passion of his and he had a thirst for something more and Geechee founded his passion for bird hunting especially. As they began really getting into bird hunting the many different species to the feathered animal, he worked Geechee and let him do what they became known best for, out in the woods of Georgia. People began to see the team that they made and the drive and passion that they had for this sport. As John’s paths crossed with different people here and there, he began to work with his passion for a living. Connections upon connections began to transpire and John’s leisurely passion became his career at a young age. Something he simply loved doing with his partner by his side. Geechee assisted in paving ways that took John places that he could have only dreamed of going. Geechee picked up thousands of birds all over the United States and they got to do what they love doing for a living by each other’s side. People offered John thousands of dollars for his best friend. John told every single one of them they were crazy, that there was no amount of money that could by his dog and his partner.

Geechee had been retired for a while. He would have given anything to get out there just like he used to but his body wouldn’t allow it. We’d catch him in the house close to the shot guns wishing he could smell the gunfire once again.  This past January, John got the opportunity to do a duck hunt and was able to take Geechee with him feeling as though it would be the last morning that they would ever get to watch the sunrise in a duck blind together and indeed it was. Old man Geechee strutted out of this house as if he was a young lab again. On that cold January morning, Geechee broke ice, waded through those Georgia waters, and retrieved his last three birds that he ever would. Yes, it was tough on his body, but they’d do it a thousand times again just to see that splendor on his face just one more time. Sometimes in life, you have to take those chances. Would you rather have a ‘should have’ or a ‘thank God I did?’ Luckily that is a chance that left us with a lifetime of no regret and a memory that can never be shaken.

As a wise author once said “Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.” And John did just that. I consider myself blessed to have shared a piece of Geechee’s life with John and to have watched this friendship grow until the end. The bond that they held is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. He sensed John’s presence both near and far. He smelled him, he felt him, and some how he always knew. Two connected souls that will never be broken.

After getting the phone call that we had been dreading, the tears flowed freely and we accepted one of the most difficult days ahead. Coming to grips with the reality of news like that is one of the hardest things you will ever do. When you welcome a dog into your world and that beating heart of yours, you envision the next decades of joy and happiness, but nothing can truly prepare you for the day that you have to say goodbye. It’s been time for a while, but Geechee had to be the one to tell us exactly when he was ready to go. John and I both whole heartedly believe that Geechee waited to go home until he knew that John was ready.  John is in one of the best places in his life that he has ever been. He’s happy, he’s restored, and he’s standing firm on a foundation. Geechee held on until he knew that his dad would be just fine without him. He held as long as he could through the last part of his life, holding out for his person to be ready. And when John had gained that ultimate peace, Geechee said it was time to head on over rainbow bridge. If only this world could be as selfless as the very things that make our life a better place.

As the sun arose that cool March Monday morning, Geechee enjoyed two large sausage links as the sky began to shine with only colors that God can paint. They played fetch on the river until he could play no more. He let John cast him hand signals for his final retrieve and they knew it was time. As Geechee came and laid down close to John’s side one last time, he took his last breath in peace as he looked in John’s eyes. If you could only hear his words through his eyes… “It’s ok dad, it is time.”

It’s funny when you look back and think about losing your best friend, you never would imagine it to be so peaceful. I do believe that Geechee wanted it that way and truly made it to be that and nothing less. Sometimes they hold us tighter than we could ever imagine holding them. They heal in a way that no other thing can and they love in a way that has never been experienced to human nature. And when all the what if’s, could have’s, and should have’s that come with mourning begin to weigh down on us, we must remember that the loyalty the we give our furry friends such as these, is more than they could have asked for in a lifetime. John and Geechee spoke a language that only they could understand. And as they held each other tight for this moment in time, they both knew that one day, they will be reunited again.

Geechee walked over Rainbow bridge on that March morning. He didn’t just walk, he ran. Happy and healed forever. He is running in the fields of flowers and swimming in the lakes with a body as nimble as a puppy again. And forever he and John will hold the memories that they made over a precious 14 years. Somebody told John the week before we put him down “John you gave Geechee a great life.” And John’s response was nothing out of the ordinary to what Geechee made of him… “No sir, Geechee gave me a good life!” Never could he have imagined, almost 14 years ago how much that little black bundle of joy would change his life. Forever Geechee’s memory will live on in the lives of so many. Till we see you again Geechee man.

Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. 

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….