Docker, Big D, Uncle Docker, Dock

I still remember the first time I met Docker. It was when Patrick's Dad came to pick us up at St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School. It was a pretty crappy day out…it was either snowing, raining, or very wet snow… It was in December of 1999.

I remember seeing Pat's dad whizzing his way towards us through the neighbouring hockey arena parking lot, in the Harris' big brown van…the Astro.

Patrick took the front seat, and I opened the sliding door to the backseat. Docker bounded towards me, apparently very excited, drooling and slobbering all over my legs…I was wearing my school uniform kilt after all ;)

It was only about a 5 minute (or so) drive to the Harris house, but in those 5 short minutes my legs got all scratched up and nice and wet and coated with drool. I'm not sure if it was Docker's excitement of meeting a potential new friend, the wet roads, or Pat's Dad's driving, but those 5 minutes seemed like forever!

When we arrived at Patrick's house, I couldn't wait to get out of that van - I was not overly impressed. It makes me laugh thinking back on it.

Over the last 8 (nearly 9 years) I have grown to love Docker like he was my own family dog, because he came to be and was. Whenever I arrived at the Harris house he always ran to the door greeting me with a shoe in his mouth, as he did to everyone. Big D was an incredibly friendly and outgoing dog. There wasn't a person or dog that he didn't like (at least from what I can remember) or that didn't like him.

Not only was he incredibly good natured, he was also incredibly obedient. Until as of late and his hearing went, he always came when he was called, did doodie outside (except for a few crawl space incidents that I've heard about…lol) and never left the edge of the Harris property. How he knew to always stay on the lawn when he was let outside, it always amazed me.

From stories I've heard over the years about Docker, he was also very smart. When the Harris' first brought Dock home as a puppy, they attempted to crate him. They didn't want the little puppy getting himself into trouble while the family was out. Well, one time they locked him in the crate and somehow he figured out how to unlatch the door and he set himself free! Very impressive considering dogs don't have opposable thumbs!

When Patrick and I got Bella and Beau, Docker immediately took them under his wing. Although Docker's good behaviour didn't rub off on them, they did spend many a day snuggled up with him in his bed. When Beau was just a little puppy (and I think Moose too?) Docker would let them chew on his ears with their little puppy teeth. It was so funny to watch.

Bella and Beau loved Dock so much. Every time we'd ask them if they wanted to go see Uncle Docker they'd go mad with excitement. They'd jump all around and head to the front door. Even after we'd moved across the country, whenever we mention Uncle Docker their ears would perk up with excitement.

Docker was one of the only dogs I know with a stomach strong enough to handle chocolate (which is a major no, no for doggies). Every year on his birthday he was given his very own slice of chocolate cake - I think it helped to keep his ticker tickin'. I've also heard stories of Dock getting into Easter chocolate and eating entire Easter bunnies whole - including the tinfoil - eek! That boy sure had a sweet tooth.

When we still lived in Ontario we'd sometimes take Bella, Beau and Docker (and later Moose too) to the dog park in Belleville. The group of them had so much fun frolicking in the park and enjoying the fresh air - those were some great memories.

Docker passed away last weekend. He was nearly 15 years old, his birthday is in November.

We love and miss you Bid D!



The following poem is a take on "The Rainbow Bridge" poem. I love it because it shows us that we'll get to see and be with our doggies again one day...

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
© 1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky. All Rights Reserved.