Some notes to myself that I left on my computer yesterday:
The notes I left were so I could remember what my state of mind was at the time. Most of the above would make sense to a perfect stranger excepting the last few lines. To start: Dante, is/was my dog.
9:46 am
I am writing this before I take Dante in to the Animal Rescue League of Boston to be put down.
His final moments with me as his companion:
My final moments with him as my loyal companion:
Will I feel comfortable putting the word loyal in the above?
We'll see how I feel about it later.
The appointment is at 11:30 AM
now: off to the ARL 9:48 AM
mike's b'day:
dante/michael :::::
tony maf's tunes
Mike, is my brother who passed away 6 years ago on April 22, 2002. He was born on July 3, 1956.
Dante's original name when I adopted him was Michael, and right from the start I knew there was no way I was going to call the dog by my brother's name. What to do?
I adopted the 100 lb pup home when he was only about 10 months old. He got the name Dante, from me because I had recently taken out a book about Dante Alighieri and his Divina Commedia which included illustrations by Gustave Doré. It was on the coffee table when I was sitting around trying to think of a new name for what was to become my best pal and most loyal companion for over a decade: Dante.
During the time I had Dante with me and especially when my brother Michael passed away from a second bout with cancer, I reflected on how Michael/Dante was adopted by me when cancer had become an issue for my brother. I am not a superstitious person nor am I one who puts much stock in any supernatural phenomenon or beliefs including religion, but I must confess to being awestruck by the coincidences that appear in one's life, especially my own. It is as close to feeling spiritual as I get these days. Awe, is awesome.
During the last few years I have been in touch with some old childhood friends of both Mike and me, and one of them is Tony Maffei. Tony wanted a few tunes put on a disc for his car stereo disc player. I planned on coming home and keeping busy by making tunes for Tony. Also, seeing Tony reminds me of the good old days when we were all young and innocent and had the audacity to think we would all live forever,
Do I feel I can put loyal into the 4th line of my notes after having put Dante down?
Yes and no---definitely maybe.
---
Today starts off a new chapter in my life. I am calling this chapter "A New Beginning" for more reasons than are obvious here.
Don
ps, Tony never got his tunes. I stopped by a place to have a beer on the way home from the ARL and I bumped into two acquaintances from years ago. It was just what I needed at the time. There was no way of knowing anyone I knew would be at this place as it was in downtown Boston and I hadn't hung around there in ages.
Small world full of coincidences.
go figure
