Atdawn01 (06-23-2015), bem (06-17-2015), Blackboy98 (06-14-2015), Labradorks (06-13-2015), mackiesmom (06-13-2015), MikeLynn (06-13-2015), Mr Kleb (06-13-2015), ronmcq (06-16-2015), Scoutpout (06-13-2015)
How do you say good-bye to someone that has been a part of your life for 11 ½ years? It’s not easy.
A few weeks after Bruno, had died, one of the owners of the local gas station asked if I would be interested in their two year old chocolate lab. I wasn’t ready yet, but said maybe in December. The first time I went tot see Kendal he had a heavy chain hooked to his collar that was attached to his dog house. Not a very labby life. He was so excited to see me. We went for a walk and I was smitten and knew he would be coming home with me. Kendal had hind dew claws that I thought made him look like a bow-legged cowboy wearing stirrups.
I brought Kendal home to stay in early December. He came into the house, walked into the kitchen, peed on the stove and sauntered into the bedroom and jumped on the bed and sighed. Guess he was letting me know he was home.
Kendal was a counter surfer extraordinaire. Shortly after he adopted me I had baked some brownies with chocolate covered caramels in them. Took them out of the oven and set them on the counter to cool. Then I went to do some work on the computer (or more likely surf the lab board). I thought it was awfully quiet and wait, I hadn’t seen Kendal in awhile. Walked out to the kitchen just in time to see Kendal pulling his paws off the counter. He had eaten the entire 9”x13" pan of brownies, except for the burnt edges. We decided it was easier to train us to not leave food at Kendal level than to train Kendal. To try and save food from Kendal’s counter surfing skills, we took to putting things in the cooled down oven that lasted maybe a month before he figured out how to open the oven door and snag leftover pizza, apple crisp, you name it, and it was fair game. The final solutions . . . gate the dogs in the living room and just in case the three of them figured that out, put food on top of the fridge.
Kendal had his little quirks. Since he spent the first two years of his life on a horse farm, he thought of horses as his playmates. When Kendal was in the car with us and he saw horses or cow, he’d start barking and wagging his tail. One of the last things we did with him was to stop at the races in town. He stood up, looked out the window at the horse coming around the track and started whining. By this point he hadn’t barked for several months. I recorded a short video of it and it hurts so much to watch it.
Kendal loved stuffed toys. He didn’t pull the stuffing out of them like so many dogs love to do. Just gently carry them around, or rest his head on them. He was however excellent at destroying squeakers.
Kendal had many nick names: Stink Dog, Kendal Bendalator, and Dr. K. And I’m sure Andrew’s favourite, Kendal Pillow Humper. No pillow was safe from Kendal’s amorous displays. It got so the first thing we did when we got up was put our pillows up high. There's nothing worse than coming home to a dog with a very satisfied look on his face lounging on your pillow. As he got older, he did seem to lose some of his affection for pillows. But, I think he transferred it to my underwear.
I’m not sure what Kendal’s feeling for turkey vultures was. Love, hate, or jealousy. When turkey vultures flew over our yard Kendal would look up and start running around the yard barking at them. The second last Saturday evening that Kendal was with us, Andrew called me to the door and said “you’ve got to see this.” Circling overhead was probably 20 vultures. I called Kendal to come see but he stayed on his bed. Maybe his buddies were doing a final fly over.
Last year I grew some Tiny Tim tomatoes in pots. Andrew and I didn’t care for them but a certain brown dog thought they were great. He'd walk over to the pots and devour all the ripe ones. Wait a few days for more to ripen and repeat. Oversize zucchini?? Edible bumpers; Brussels sprouts, tasty appetizers. Kendal would try anything, if he didn’t like it he would spit it out. I would give anything to have Kendal and all his little quirks back.
On his final afternoon I was crying and Kendal came over and licked my face and tears. I hope he was telling me that he had a good life and it was time for the next part of the journey. Kendal, I’m sure your old buddies, Rex and BoJo greeted you at the Bridge. I hope you will greet us there when our time comes. Love you silly boy.
Atdawn01 (06-23-2015), bem (06-17-2015), Blackboy98 (06-14-2015), Labradorks (06-13-2015), mackiesmom (06-13-2015), MikeLynn (06-13-2015), Mr Kleb (06-13-2015), ronmcq (06-16-2015), Scoutpout (06-13-2015)
What a beautiful tribute. You have me crying right along with you. I'm so, so sorry for your loss. That Kendal got to spend most of his years with someone that loved him so much was such a gift.
Hidden Content Theo 8/14/14
Thank you for this beautiful, touching tribute. He sounds like quite the character, I had no idea.
Godspeed, Kendal. Hugs to you both.
I'm laughing and crying at the same time. Rest in peace Kendal.
Thanks for sharing Kendal's story with us. I can tell how very special he was and what a wonderful loving life you gave him. I cry with you and hope his memory can soon make you smile about the happy times you had with him. Rest in peace special boy. Love and hugs to you too!
Karen
Hidden Content
Murphy born Valentines Day 2014
What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful companion. Run free Kendal.
Thank you for telling Kendal's story. I'm sure there are many, many more Kendalisms you will treasure for the rest of your life. What a lucky boy Kendal was to get off that chain and end up instead bound to your heart, forever.
This story has truly touched my heart. Kendal is something special! I'm sure he will miss you guys very much.
Beautiful tribute to your friend, thanks for sharing in such a touching way.
While I am saddened by your loss, I also have to smile as I know just how much Kendal meant to you, and enriched your lives. They touch our hearts in ways that are indescribable. Kendal lived an extrodinary life. While his physical presence may be gone, his spirit will always be with you. You pain will slowly subside, but you will never forget this wonderful dog. Mourn his loss, but rejoice in a life well lived.
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