Friday Hometown Shootout -- Childhood Memories

Childhood memories – A BOY AND HIS DOG

Brian’s dog was Sally. He grew up with her. We all loved her. She had a long happy life – 120 or more in dog years. Last Friday we had to let her go. But I don’t want this to be a sad blog. Brian asked for pictures of her and I am putting together “The Complete Sally Photo Album” for him for Christmas – or before since it will not be a surprise. And this childhood memories photoshoot is the perfect time to share some of those good times…even if there is some sadness in doing so.

Bagman put this shoot together for us, noting that passion isn't always without tears.

Sally was a gift to Brian from Santa Clause – at least we believed that Brian still believed in Santa then. I spent Christmas Eve half-sleeping and half-playing with her on the floor in the basement of the house we had then to keep her from yipping and ruining the surprise.

Brian looks like he’s not sure what to think in this photo. We said, “We’ll have to think of a name for her.” I expected we’d discuss possibilities for a couple of days, but Brian didn’t hesitate. “Sally!” I’ve asked him where he came up with that name but he doesn’t know. It was just her name.

It didn’t take him long to lose his reticence around her.

When Santa fell asleep, he fook my old film camera and started taking picture of her himself

And everywhere that Brian went the dog was sure to go...

And when birthdays came, we didn't have to think very hard for a theme for a birthday cake.

Sally could be wild

Sally loved the house in the country in the hills of North Carolina

But above everything, she loved Brian

Day or night

She loved to take walks with Karen and I

But above all, she loved Brian

And Conner got to meet her when he came along.

 While her heart belonged to Brian, there was one time she always shared with me...the late night walk before bedtime.   Every night we'd walk around the backyard, wherever we lived, and, for some reason, that was kind of my prayer time, looking at the stars.  Although her nose was usually to the ground, sniffing a million nocturnal things, I always thought she kind of understood as well.  

Now, I go to the backyard at night and look up at the stars.  I'm sure that one of them is Sally smiling down at me, probably wondering why I'm missing out on the fun of sniffing out moles.