Part XL Brandie: A Tribute

Like Bandit before her, Brandie developed stenosis and neuropathy of the lumbar spine along with arthritis in both hips and knees, with slight canine cognitive dysfunction (animal equivalent to Alzheimer disease). The neuropathy resulted in deteriation of the myelin sheath (like insulation on wires) She lost control of the hind limbs with muscle atrophy. I built the ramp shown below and eventually just let her potty on the snow covered deck and finally we used dog pads inside. The last few days she could not get up by herself. That’s when we knew that it was time.

       Brandie

Brandie our Brandie

You’re sweeter than candy

You love to play football

It’s your most favorite game of all

You are so athletic

You make other dogs look pathetic

You catch and shake the toy coon

Morning, evening, and afternoon

We take walks in the park

During daylight and dark

You sometimes pick up a big stick

And may even eat part of it

Eating bad things was never a chore

You just went back again for more

The carpet you did chew

Your toys and your bed too

Rubber bands, pins, plastic; you ate them all

Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall

You love to jump and run

It’s always been so much fun

You’re so smart and so bright

You even know left from right

Though everything I’ve said is true

We will always love you

My goodness, my golly

You’re such a good collie

June 10, 2009–January 12, 2021

(11 years 7 months 2 days)

It is really hard knowing that there will never again be a dog in our home . I have always said I would rather be without a dog late in life than for a dog be without me. They are the most loving and devoted creatures on earth. The thing that will remain with me forever is the way that Brandie especially would put her head against my leg and look up to me with the most adoring look in her eyes. That image will always remain. For childless couples our pets are our children, But now I must live my faith and say with conviction it is well, it is well with my soul. Tears are streaming down my face as I type this. Except for brief interludes I have had a dog for 37 years. A chapter in my life is closed and I must look forward to a new one.

Please feel free to make comments on this post or any of them. I especially would like to hear from relatives, friends, classmates, etc.

Profile

I graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and earned a Master of Science degree in Education also from NIU in 1973.   I taught in the Harlem School District (5 years), a Chicago suburb (1 year), and the Rockford, IL School District for 27 years (26 at East High School). I culminated my teaching career  at Kishwaukee College (8 years) Two important events occurred  in 1988: I married my wife Angie and I received a summer teacher’s research fellowship through  the University of Illinois School of Medicine at Rockford.  My primary responsibility was light microscopy and Scanning electron miscroscopy of rabbit renal arteries (effect of high cholesterol diet).  For 14 years I was a citizen scientist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in their RiverWatch program (monitoring water quality) My hobbies and activities include gardening, golfing, bowling, downhill and cross country skiing, photography, including photomicroscopy and time lapse photography, spending time with my wife and our dog, and in the winter playing around in my small home biology & chemistry lab.

Beyond what I have written in past profiles, in the early 1980’s I was an EMT with the Boone Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Squad (BVARS) which fit in nicely with my science training and teaching. I also enjoy public speaking and made frequent scholarship presentations to graduating seniors and outstanding middle school students through the former Belvidere Y’ Men’s Club.  I also made power point presentations of the RiverWatch program. But I most enjoyed making presentations at my high school reunions.  Thanks guys for allowing me to do this.