I Love My Dead Gay Dog.***

I swear on the mission statement for the ASPCA - I won't belabor the death of my Murph. There is just one last thing that I want to do - memorialize some of things I loved about him so that next year at this time, I can reread this and not lose the details due to my increasing age.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT MURPHY

(a/k/a If Michael Jackson deserves memorial tributes around the world, so does my dog!)

I loved that you never quite got the hang of how to wag your tail. Instead, it just sort of swayed from side to side in a wavy S form.

I loved that despite your lack of wagging skills, we always knew when you were happy.

I loved that you couldn't lick very well either - you would aim for my cheek, but always end up somewhere around my nose and forehead.

I loved that despite the fact you were badly abused before I adopted you, you trusted anyone that I introduced you to - you just assumed they were good people if I exposed you to them.

I loved the spot between your two ears. It was the softest thing that I've ever felt and if I could make it into a pillow, I would.

I loved the way you used to let your dad hug all over you, even though you may have been somewhat apprehensive at first.

I loved that you had two spots in the house that were yours and yours alone. The tile in front of the fireplace, and the corner of our bedroom near the closet. I still look at those two spots and my heart aches.

I loved that no matter what time it was, if I headed to bed, you followed and laid near me in your spot.

I loved the way you used to get caught up in the curtains, fireplace instruments, and/or TV cabinet if we called your name while you were lying down. You were so anxious to get up and come to us, you often got tangled up.

I loved how you answered to any of the crazy names we gave you - such as Fuzzy, Fuzzbucket, Fatty, Fuzzacious M.


I loved the look that came over your face when your heard your dad's voice.

I loved that he was your dad and always will be, even though I adopted you over a year before I even started dating him.

I loved the way your ran - a bit bow-legged, and with your chubby thighs likely rubbing together.

I loved the reactions that you would evoke from passers-by. My favorite? "What the fuck is that - a bear cub?" Yes, we're walking a bear cub on a plaid leash, for the win.


I loved the way that you would come running into the room whenever you dad and I decided to "show our affection" to each other. And then you would stand there watching. And we would end up cracking up. But we never missed the romance - laughter was enough.

I loved the way you would take a running start into your dog bed and then leap into the air and land with a huge "poof."

I loved the way you listened to me even though you had no idea what I was talking about sometimes.

I loved the way you would come up and try to cuddle with your dad if you heard us raising our voices with each other.

I loved the way you would sniff a piece of food for about 15 minutes if we offered it to you. Like you were some sort of "Top Chef" apprentice.

I loved the way you walked around with a piece of turkey on your head forever after you dad threw it to you with bad aim. And when we laughed at you? You looked like you were laughing right along.

I loved how you trusted me with your life. Even when I made you sit in an 1/8th of snow in Dallas so that I could get your reaction in a photograph.

I loved the way you dreamed. The little barks you would emit, and the way your paws would move? I often wondered if you were following your herding destiny in your dreams - even though you were more than happy to give that up to be wit us.

I loved the way you tried to get our friends' cat to like you. And he did - down deep - he was just afraid to show it.

I loved the way you went ballistic the first time I took you to a dog park in Austin.

I loved that you were probably gay in that you only showed interest in other male dogs. We were proud of you any which way you ran.

I loved your nose and the way it would twitch a mile a minute when you were outside!

I loved the way you loved your "sister" Riley - she misses you terribly.

I loved the way you changed our lives. Even in your passing. You dad and I miss you, but finally feel ready to discuss the possibility of loving another type of little one in our lives. And I've even considered your dad's proposition that our child use the middle name Murphy.

We loved you Fuzzy. I hope you still know that. Murphy - RIP - 06/26/2009.

***Seriously, one of the best movies ever.