On April 18, 2014, just after 9:00 PM, our brother Lemmy crossed Rainbow Bridge. But this post is NOT about when he left us. Instead, today I am sharing Mom and Dad’s memories of when Lemmy came home on January 25, 2007. Lemmy was their first dog, and they talk about those fond memories with laughter and smiles.
That morning eight years ago was filled with excitement and nervous anticipation as they made the final preparations to welcome him home. Mom recalls though, as they rushed to leave Dad made her pause, and said, “Look around. Our house will never be this clean again!” He was absolutely right. But more on that in a moment.
When they arrived at Lemmy’s birth mother’s home, there were two pups still waiting to be picked up. Lemmy and his sister, who was affectionately nicknamed, “Big Bertha.” Dad still laughs about how Grandma Sharon lifted a puppy out of the whelping box and proudly proclaimed, “here is your special boy!” But one problem, the puppy she was holding definitely wasn’t a boy. That must have been some sort of test for these first time dog parents. Luckily they passed! After a good laugh, she patiently answered all of Mom and Dad’s questions as nervous first time pet parents. Momma Butter then said her sweet goodbyes, and they set-off on their grand adventure as a family.
Dad fumbled trying to put a leash on the squirmy puppy, who was excited to answer the call of adventure. That’s when Grandma Sharon intervened and said, “just let him follow you.” And sure enough Lemmy did. Mom recalls how special that first car ride that was. She sat in the backseat cuddling her sweet Lemmy on her lap, as he slept the whole way home.
Upon their arrival, after exploring the backyard, they brought him into his new home. Lemmy boldly walked straight over to a piddle pad, and used it without hesitation. “Our puppy is a genius!” Dad proclaimed. “This is going to be easy training him!” Next he went into his crate and laid down without prompting. Again, Mom and Dad proclaimed him to be very smart, and that training would be easy. Little did they realize Lemmy was just easing them into the grand adventure that awaited them.
Mom and Dad recall that first afternoon together being filled with so much love and laughter, as they watched Lemmy explore his new home…and relieve himself on the living room rug. Remember that earlier comment about the house never looking this clean again? Well it wasn’t long after Lemmy’s arrival that Dad was using every box he could find to block Lemmy’s entrance to the living room, while Mom researched dog baby gates.
At dinner time, they got their first glimpse at what a fussy eater Lemmy would turn out to be. Lemmy went on his first of many hunger strikes. Was he afraid of his reflection like he was earlier that afternoon with his water bowl? Did he not like the sound of the metal bowl? Did they not add enough cheese to get his attention? Mom and Dad can’t remember what worked, but eventually Lemmy ate his first dinner, and all was right in their world again, that is until bedtime.
Mom and Dad knew that crate training Lemmy was important, and could also be difficult on his first night away from his siblings. In preparation Pepere let them borrow his old windup alarm clock, in the hopes that the ticking would sooth him to sleep. I don’t know about Lemmy, but I recall that ticking, and it still makes me nervous! I felt like I was in a MacGyver episode trapped in a crate with a bomb! But I digress.
Mom was banished upstairs at bedtime because right from the start Dad knew she would be the weakest link in the training. He volunteered to sleep in the living room that first night. This way he would be near to take Lemmy out frequently for potty breaks, but far enough away that he wouldn’t succumb to his wails of distress in the crate. And boy did he wail! Mom says she can still hear those squeaky yelps for help in her head, as she laid in bed trying to resist the urge to run down and cuddle him. Dad claims he didn’t coddle him that night. Lemmy later told me though that Dad took him out like a bazillion times that night, so he knew his cries were having an affect. It took a few nights like that before Lemmy finally settled down into his peaceful nighttime routine, and Dad stopped waking him to go outside.
Lemmy, Mom and Dad had 7 wonderful years together. He was definitely a genius, but not for the reasons Mom and Dad initially thought. This small puppy taught them many important life lessons. Therefore on this 8th anniversary of Lemmy leaving us, we are going to smile and listen as they share their precious memories of their best friend. Thanks Lemmy for training two first time dog parents so that Asa and I can have it so good. We’ll see you at the end of the trail. Love you!
