My old friend Mars..... mercury

It was my birthday… my dad was dying and I felt alone in the world when I got the phone call, between trips to the hospital.

“You’ve got to meet him, Kelly! He’s beautiful! I know you’ll love him if you only meet him!” Laura told me.

I decided to go.

There he was… his shiny blonde hair looked perfect and he was wearing a red bandana with stars. I fell in love and convinced him he should come home with me.

He didn’t talk much; in fact, it took nearly six months before he felt comfortable enough to speak his mind…. And then he spoke it often, but never without reason.

He had been mistreated in the past… this much was obvious. He seemed to shrink away from my hugs, until he became accustomed to loving touches.

He definitely knew how to play, though it seemed he hadn’t gotten much opportunity to do so.

Eight years ago he wagged his way into my life and into my heart.

I’m, of course, talking about Mars… My Mars Bar… My Marzipan…. my “puppy”. An irony in itself… Mars being the God of War and my Mars being the gentlest dog I have ever met. He was a stray, found wandering down a busy road, drinking out of mud puddles (which he still prefers to fresh water!).

I adopted him when he was somewhere between four and six years of age. And he’s the best birthday gift I have ever received. (Thank you for breaking the rules, Laura and paying the adoption fee for me! You knew how special he was and that he needed a special home, but you just didn’t have the room for him and you thought of the next best place.)

He’s brought so much happiness to my life. He used to love going for rides, but hated the front seat…he always slid into the dash when I stopped…. EVERY time. He’d just wag his tail and hop in back. Eventually he learned to just go straight to the back. He’d hang so far out the window there were times I thought he’d fall out. He used to jump into my Explorer, now he can’t even step up into my mini-van.

“Tug” was his favorite game. He’d pull and growl and flap his head from side to side, pulling back on his haunches for leverage trying to get you to lose your grip. Sometimes we’d wait until he was pulling really hard and let go… he’d fall on his butt with a thud and then come back, walking in his goofy, silly way with the sock hanging out of his mouth ready for another round. I swear if this dog could actually speak “Aw, shucks” would be his catch phrase. He played rough with grown-ups, but as soon as there was a kid holding his sock, the growling stopped, he didn’t use his muscle and he always let the kid win. Now he picks up his sock once in a while to nuzzle it, but he has no interest in playing tug.

He’s getting so old… at least 12, but probably closer to 14. He’s not enjoying life anymore. He’s gained weight… My 70 lb puppy weighs well over 130 lbs now. He will only go outside to potty… if he can make it outside… he’s had 4 or 5 accidents in the last month. He groans while he sleeps and he sometimes yelps when he stands up.

It breaks my heart, but I think it’s time to let him go….

I'm so sad.... I'm going to miss him and I'll never find another friend like Mars.

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