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The Wright Perspective℠
Social Commentary from the C-Suite to Main Street℠
A Blog by Gary Wright II
A boy and his dog - In Memory of Nadia Wright
Sunday, May 10th, 2009
From the excitement of a hunting for bones, to just being lazy on a summer afternoon. There is a special bond between a boy and his dog.
This would be true of the relationship I had with my beloved dog Nadia. We spent every day together, from when he first was pulled off the teat, to his peaceful death in our arms on May 10th, 2007 at 11:40PM at age 11.
Yes, Nadia was a HE. From his very high spirits as a puppy, he was given the nickname of "Naughty", but he grew into such an angel that I felt guilty for calling him that name. When we first visited the veterinarian, they asked his name and it just came out with a pause, "Naughty, Uh..." - Nadia....
Nadia was an enormous Rottweiler, but was 160 lbs of love. He laid at my feet by day, and slept by the bed at night. Each hour, he would awaken and "go on patrol" for bad guys around the house... Coming back, to lay down again with a big plop, and continue watching me sleep.
Not having any children, Nadia had a very special role in our lives, and was afforded every luxury possible. We were together every minute possible and not an hour went by without expressing a term of endearment and a big slobbery lick in the face.
Losing Nadia left an enormous hole in my heart, and nothing else could ever replace him. When we had his funeral (yes, our dog had a funeral) we buried him with his favorite toys (and bones). I wrapped him up in his blankets, but as I layed him to rest - I was at a total loss for words. It seemed inappropriate to hold a funeral without speaking special words. The only thing that came to mind was this prayer:
Death is Nothing by Canon Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other
That we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes
We enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me,
Let my name be ever the household word that
It always was.
Let it be spoken without effort,
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am
Out of sight? I am but waiting for you
For an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner.
All is Well.