Sunday, August 7, 2011

Remembering Rhett

Since I never got to meet Rhett, I'll just tell you what the other guys have told me...

Rhett came to live with my family when he was just six weeks old. He was intended to be a gift for the children, but Rhett was insistent that he was a momma's boy and had no need for anyone other than her. Don't get me wrong, he loved everybody. But he lived in Momma's shadow. He adored her. And she loved him.
Mom and Rhett enjoyed taking long walks together. Rhett had a sixth sense about mom and knew when she was sick or blue or if she just wanted to have fun. His personality altered accordingly. He was always to be counted on to be at mom's side when she needed him most. She was always ready to throw the tennis ball for him "just one more time".









They tell me that the relationship Mom and Rhett had is the kind that all good dog stories are based on. Mom says he was her "once in a lifetime" dog.

Rhett had a very quirky personality and was incredibly smart.  When mom would yell, "KILL", he would hunch down and bark at whoever she'd 'sicked' him on.  She could tell him to wake dad up, and he'd jump in bed and lick dad's face until he was wide awake.  He knew each of the hoo-man children by name and could be counted on to give them love whenever directed to do so.  When mom was pregnant with her youngest child, Rhett became a protector to them both not allowing anyone too close to mom's ever growing belly.
Dogster.com: Picture of RHETT , a Golden Retriever dog on Dogster
 Connor and Rhett in 2006

Me and Connor earlier this year.
Rhett slipped away from this life way too soon. I can sense that there are times that Momma still grieves for him. He's buried out in our back-yard and most days when Mom takes me outside, she stops to visit him if even for a second.


I hope to come close to the place Rhett held in Momma's heart. He sure was a special boy.
Rhett 2004 - 2008



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From mom:  Thanks, Boondocks, for help filling the void.  I'm beginning to believe in the possibility of a more than once in a lifetime best friend because of you. 

10 comments:

  1. Oh My That made my Vickie cry....She has a once in a lifetime dog too. It is Jamie and I am lucky enough to know her.

    My Vickie says to thank you for the short history and said she wished she had known Rhett.

    But don't worry Boon, you and I will make them both change their minds about the fact that there can be "Two, once in a lifetime dogs"

    Love
    Bert

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  2. What a special story. Thank you for sharing it with us. I know that even after all this time it can be difficult but strength and healing come when you share and remember.

    Rhett was a good boy and the two of you were lucky to have found each other in this life. I know he'll be waiting for you in the next, excited to pick up right where you left off. Good dogs are like that.

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  3. Hi Y'all,

    Boondocks, that was a beautiful piece you wrote about your big brother passed. Just remember to be yourself and you'll find your own special place in your mom's heart.

    Y'all come back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  4. That was a nice short story, and it made Finn's momma tear up a bit. Thank you for sharing!

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  5. I'm choked up already this morning...What a beautiful and special boy that left you way too soon. The 'first Tod' who was of course a Golden left us at the age of five. Even though that was more than 10 years ago, I still miss him too, but I know that we will see both he and Rhett again some day...

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  6. Wow, Rhett sure was onw very special boy!It is easy to see why Mom loved him so much. We do believe in very special once in a lifetime friendships, but there can once in a lifetime ones for different reasons and needs. We are sure that you will always be another very special boy to your Mom and family.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

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  7. That made us all teary eyed too....we lost our heart dog last spring...so we know that deep grieving pain. What a special tribute to Rhett. Our hearts go out to you. Xoxo Chloe, LadyBug and the mama

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  8. Rhett sounds like he was a special dog. Here's to all dogs, which are special in their own way.

    the 2 brown dawgs

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  9. Aww, what a sweet tribute! Made me teary-eyed :)

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