Hold On

Diesel, Emerald Isle, NC. September 2019.

In my mind I keep a small pantheon of Great Dogs. Diesel was one of them.

He was my husband’s dog, found tied to a tree, secured with a rope, left for fate by abusive owners.

They didn’t count on Shane, though. At 7:15 one morning while walking his two dogs, he noticed a coat under a tree in the park a couple blocks from home. Only, the coat moved, tracking the threesome as they circled the greenspace.

Shane secured the other two dogs and calmly approached Diesel. He was fat and his hair had fallen out in clumps because of a flea infestation. His ears were swollen shut and his eyes gooey.

Shane got D home, cleaned him up, introduced him to Grace and Maise, and decided then and there that this dog would never be neglected and alone again.

And he wasn’t.

Half lab, half border collie, Diesel had all the habits of a herder. He sat where he could watch and listen to the entire pack (us humans, other dogs) and gently made sure we all stayed within our boundaries. He growled when you touched him anywhere other than his ears. He could go out the dog door but not come back through. As a lab, he was an expert at stealing things off the counter. Other than that, a perfectly well-behaved creature.

Diesel’s love was subtle and quiet and strong. Patient. Faithful beyond normal. His dark eyes showed the depth of his thoughts and his life. He was the most remarkably chill dog I’ve ever met. If ever there was such a thing as dogs and their owners being alike, it was true for Diesel and Shane.

He slept between us and always joined me on the bed for my afternoon nap. He would dream, running and yelping, chasing imaginary things. He was beyond gentle and kind to every creature he met.

I learned so much about patience and kindness from Diesel.

It’s a sad day in our house. Diesel will be forever missed and always loved.

Go on, buddy.