Three years ago, on April 18, we said goodbye to our beloved Lemmy.  I’ve let you read his old emails and told some of his stories, but I realized I’ve never actually shared Lemmy’s personality quirks.  Let’s face it, my big brother was a bit eccentric!  So today, I’d like to better acquaint you with the dog, the myth, the legend…the goofball!  But where to begin?

When I joined the family Lemmy was 5 years old and very set in his ways.  Apparently though even as a puppy, Lemmy was a lovable curmudgeon who despised change.  According to Mom, Lemmy liked his routine and would not hesitate to show his disapproval if they dared to veer off schedule.  Lemmy’s tantrums were legendary!  If Mom and Dad stayed up to watch a movie past his bedtime, Lemmy would first pace in front of the TV making low growls and stomping his paws.  If that didn’t get their attention, Lemmy would then take his bone and repeatedly pick it up and drop it on the tile floor making a loud bang.  That usually did the trick.  Oh and don’t even get me started on his reaction when Mom decorated for Christmas!  Now those were some epic meltdowns!

Despite adhering to his routine and being a firm believer in the everything in it’s place philosophy, Lemmy loved adventure!  Like most dogs, when Asa and I visit a new place, we tend to pull on our leash anxious to see what exciting things are ahead of us.  Not our Lemmy!  Lemmy wanted to experience everything, and I do mean everything!  He didn’t drag Dad along behind him.  Instead Lemmy would run in circles around Dad while trying to take in all the new sights, sounds, and smells in every direction.  How it worked was Dad would continue walking straight, and Lemmy, while still on-leash, would run circles around him like a planet orbiting the sun while hurtling through space!  Oh and if you’re wondering about Mom, she would give Lemmy a wide berth and walk at a safe distance so as not to get tangled in the leash that Dad was forever swinging around like a lasso!  They certainly were a sight to behold!  That’s why today when we visit new places, Mom and Dad still find it a novelty that they can walk side by side and hold hands.  Luckily for me, by the time I came on scene Lemmy calmed down considerably.  However, there were a few times he dragged me along in his dizzying orbit.

Lemmy had an odd take on being petted too.  I know this may sound shocking, but Lemmy’s wolf instincts told him to protect his belly.  No belly rubs for him!  I know crazy, right?  He claimed exposing your belly was a sign of weakness.  Lemmy also wasn’t a fan of people petting his head either.  But oh did he enjoy a good hind end scratch!  As a puppy, I found this behavior to be very embarassing.  Lemmy would greet people by backing up rear end first expecting to be scratched.  This confused people who didn’t know him.  But for those who did, he would respond to their petting by stomping his paws in delight and wiggling his rear end in absolute joy!  He had no clue how ridiculous he looked.  On second thought, perhaps he did know and just didn’t care.  Although he wasn’t a fan of having his head petted, he made a special exception for our Great Grandmother.  I never met her, but when Lemmy was young he would visit her in a nursing home.  Great Grammy would rest her hand on his head, and Lemmy would uncharacteristically just quietly sit there without even the slightest squirm or fuss.  He knew visits with her were special.

Ok, I may be waxing nostalgic here.  It’s just hard to believe that he’s been gone three years.  I know this sounds cliche, but there really isn’t a day that Mom, Dad and I don’t think of him.  From his silly quirks, playful exuberance, and his gentle acts of kindness, Lemmy was the best big brother.  I’m grateful we had those few short years together.  I just wish Asa could have met him too.  Love you Lemmy!  You run ahead…in circles, and we’ll meet again at the end of the trail…