Pee Wee was a big part of my life for eleven years and he really became my child. He was shy and cautious around strangers and he would hide behind my legs until he felt safe around them. He totally trusted me and I him. I was even able to walk him without a leash and he always obeyed my commands.
The neighbors enjoyed the way he pranced and I often received compliments that he was a handsome and well behaved dog. Pee Wee also entertained by howling (singing) on command. His tail was constantly in motion while singing. Of course, he slept on my bed. He was always welcome to get under the blanket and have a share of a pillow. Weekend mornings were particularly special. I could sleep in and it became a game to lie face to face with him and talk about his favorite things to do. With his eyes fixated on me, not a muscle on his body would move except to see and hear his happy tail flopping against the mattress underneath the covers. As most dogs, he loved being petted, massaged, belly rubbed, receiving treats, etc. and he got all of that every day. He also gave the best sloppy kisses or sometimes just the right little lick on the nose.
Our bond started from day one of his life and it became a bond of saving and sharing. Pee Wee was born in the house I was sharing. He was the runt of his litter and after several days of life he was not doing well. I came home from work to find him kicked out of the litter, so I immediately placed him beside his mother to suckle. At each late night meal I made sure he got his chance among the stronger siblings. The next evening I found him kicked out again, however, this time it was the weekend and after two days of regular and extra feedings he got strong enough to survive. When it was time to sell the puppies I was attached to him for sure but not convinced that I wanted to take on the responsibility of having a pet. I decided to let him go and went home to Pennsylvania for Christmas. When I got back to Columbus he was still in the house, the woman who picked him out as a gift never showed up. She called several days later but then I changed my mind. It was the best decision I ever made.
In the ensuing years Pee Wee became totally devoted to me, even when I was less than attentive. He always found a way to show he loved me through difficult times of losing jobs, family and friends. He became bold enough one night after my father died when he pushed his way past a partially opened door, something that I never had success coaxing him to do. I looked at him through my painful tears and realized that he was trying to help me. I saved him, he saved me.
Finally, Pee Wee knew that he needed me too and on those days when he was not feeling well he would come to me to be held. The first time he did that he wasn't feeling well and several times in the course of that evening he came to me and would not leave my side. I finally figured out that he wanted me to hold him. I placed him against my upper body with his head under my chin, wrapped my arms around him and laid back in my recliner and within minutes he was fast asleep. And so, on his last day at home, he did so again. I had always envisioned that if I had the chance when his time came, that is also how he would live his final moments, and he did. He died in my arms from a deteriorated heart valve.
I miss him terribly and an overwhelming sadness pounds in my heart for my hot dog eating, snuggling, kissing, happy tail wagging, going-for-a-ride loving, devoted, trusting, Penn State jersey wearing, singing Pee Wee.
Gary Blankenhorn
Columbus, Ohio