Forever Remembering A Friend

August 24th, 2009

My friend was more than just a dog , she was an underdog from day one .


Lulu was the runt of the bunch and people kind of looked at me funny when I made her my number one pick. I wouldn't have any other way because she was a lump of energy and had a baby face that attracted me. The fact that I could hold her like a baby ... her body against my heart from day one symbolized a trust . Not just anyone could hold Lu like I did down to her final day on earth.

Lu pulled some surprises from the time she hit Jackson Street. Dodging cars on two seperate occasions when I left my gate open . She looked up with those eyes as if to say , " Dumby!" Lu was the quiet lump who could careless about getting yelled at . The one who look at you with big eyes for food and plop on the floor with her back to the water dish " Fill this up !" She wouldn't bark ... she just saved that for other dogs and little kids.

There were those days she would come in and look up to me on the couch. She never gave up because those sad eyes were convincing ... Lu knew how to get what she wanted. She loved lwalks and sitting atop the cellar door when she was younger ... until she discovered the garage was a better place. She hated snow , rain , hot days , and Lu always got in the house when food was near.

Lulu was Jordan to Lily's Pippen . Lily will now help carry on memory of Lu , as she will portray a Diddy-like persona . Lulu was more like Notorious Big anyway because she always knew how to draw the attention . Like when I woke up early for breakfast while in highschool , and Lulu would show up at the last minute and look up . I would have to grab a cookie from the jar or find a doggie treat because once again those eyes took over. Lulu would lay on the couch or in her bed with Lily right near her and have those eyes as if to say , "How do I put up with her everyday!" Lily served as protector always chasing whoever picked up Lulu , but Lu would growl because she was her own dog. The greatest highlight was when Lu walked out of her cage the morning after her eyes bulged out of her head . She couldn't stand as her feet were up in the air . Lulu walked out the winner , as she had her own version of The Flu Game ... another Michael Jordan comparison.

And what a way to go out !! Taking a final trip to the city of champs !! Lulu went to Pittsburgh in June with our family . Lulu was Jerome Bettis , as she had her final days of glory in her home town . She was also like Santonio Holmes catching the touchdown on the final drive of the SuperBowl. Lily played the role of Big Ben countless times , as she convinced Lulu to return for one last history-making moment . Lily also quaterbacked some winning drives of her own , as Lulu was in the endzone catching the pass.

Lulu and Lily were the odd couple , but they needed each other. Lulu was always sleeping and lying around , and Lily was always hoping Lulu would find some life to play . Even when Lulu played , she wanted to be left alone or would tire herself out . She loved chasing those big soda bottles , as Lulu would build some strength to motor down the yard with her tongue hanging out. She loved car rides , as she would sit in the back taking in everything.

Lulu might have left earth Monday , but her soul will forever live on. She probably conferenced with Lily about how things were going to go. Lulu probably told Lily about how much more food she was going to get and how she might get free passes if she mest up. Lulu probably told her how she couldn't stand being sat on or how Lily cried everytime my parents left . Lulu probably brought up how big the beds in heaven will be and how she will have a water bowl right near the bed . Just a push of paw and there would be food , and the water would be never ending. She will probably convince the people up there to install a patch of grass right next to her bed . Lulu hated getting up to go to the bathroom.

I think Lulu spent the first night in heaven eating . All the other dogs probably tried talking to her , but Lulu probably growled at everyone. Then she probably has a dog following her around . Instead of being friends.

September 9th , 2009
Its hard trying to realize that my friend is gone , but I move on knowing she is in God's hands.

Its tough coming down in the morning and seeing Lily with a bed to herself . Now I see how Pippen must have felt no longer having Jordan beside him. I miss coming home from work and having those eyes looking up at me . No longer do I have that friend sneaking up beside and smacking my leg with her paw to pick her up. I miss Lulu staring up at me to get her way.

I decided to pay tribute to Lulu by writing her name and # 11 on my running shoes. I also wrote June 30th , 1998 - August 24th, 2009 . So now when I don't feel like running , I still do because going out and thinking about LuLu for a few hours makes everything positive and gives me alot of perspective. My senior year of highschool I got up at 4:30 some mornings to run , and Lulu would just lay on the pillow looking at me . She some times walked up to me and stetched her paws out against my arms.

Its always tough to say goodbye to a friend , but sometimes positive things happen. Remembering and moving on leads to seeing how good we have it and maybe exploring new alternatives. Once I accepted it was Lulu's time , I accepted it because I still had another dog. Lily was always the more active one and she did things that would make me laugh. She was always shy and wanted the attention. Now she looks sad and though she can still show signs of her younger years , she just lyes in bed sometimes looking around. She has a void and she has to be thinking ... What happened ?