Day 1488

My sweet dad lived in old Anoka by the Rum River. His own father was the Ice Man in town and would gather ice from the river to deliver large blocks door-to-door for the residents’ ice boxes. Draft horses pulled the wagon, barn cats slept in the hay (which kept the ice from melting in the summer) and stray dogs would come-and-go. Animals were part of the landscape until Vonn appeared. That German shepherd pup became Dad’s constant companion and friend. He was my father’s “Soul Dog.”

My memories of the neighborhood pups during my childhood are surprisingly vivid…

Pauley’s Clyde: Rescued at the intersection of Main and Ferry!

Babcock’s JoJo: She chewed an electric organ cord and lived to bark about it!

Anderson’s Pixie: That little thing would growl up a storm if you lifted the toe of your shoe!

Olson’s Rusty: He was certainly named for his color!

Collier’s Greta: Incredibly well-trained and lost a tooth during a tug-of-war!

Grandma Dehn’s Gigi: That dog ate like a queen! Her dear owner cooked for two and they each had identical plates!

I could go on-and on, but those pups, and their doggy neighbors, have been cemented in my memories forever! Of course, their owners reside there too, but those pups hold a special place in my heart.

I guess I must have inherited my love of dogs from Dad. He loved them all and my own always gravitated his way. When we were saying our final goodbyes, he confessed that Vonn had been visiting him…just out of reach, but wanting Dad to follow him.

We sent Vonn’s collar along on my father’s final journey. My family thought it was a comforting gesture, but I truly believed he was going to need it when he met his “Soul Dog” again. That Rainbow Bridge must be the loudest, most joyful place in eternity!