Steve

Our family member, friend, companion and protector, Steve the dog, went to spirit October 5 in the evening. It was a long time coming. He had suffered long enough.

The family, ex and kids, have been reminiscing about our 'baby boy'.

It was 12 years ago, on March 24th that one of the neighbor kids brought a sick puppy to the door. It had been found seemingly tossed aside in a yard.

The runt of the litter we thought, we soon found out he was a he. Dusty handed over the sick pup to my then wife. He clung to her as she held him to her chest, where he was warm and could feel the beating of her heart.

March 24 is Steve McQueen's birthday and we were watching a biography of the star. Then and there we decided to call the pup Steve. He even had blondish fur and we figured was a tough doggie. Besides, McQueen had a dog at one time named Mike. So we figured it was tit for tat lol.

Yep, Steve was tan furred with white feet and a white stripe down the top of his snout. He had some dark highlights down his back and the tip of his tail was white.

Poor guy was malnourished and had apparently been eating dirt, resulting in worms. We took him to the vet the next day and started deworming him and feeding him.

Needless to say we had some nasty soft poop to clean up which was laced with worms. Will vividly remembers that because he helped deworm Steve. The kids both did their parts.

He responded to the love and the care, becoming a strong young pup.

I remember little things and some significant times. He used to walk past the bed with his tail up. I'd say 'Steve, Stevie!' and the tail, the only thing visible would bob. He would come and put his head on my thigh while I sat at the computer and I'd pet him. The corners of his maw would upturn in a doggie 'smile'. He would 'doggie kiss' my hand and I'd make a kiss noise in return. Then there was his well mannered standing and looking at me, waiting to be fed. He would just stand and put his head on the edge of the bed, gazing at me til I fed him. If we play wrestled or if, as on occasion, our voices would be raised, he would rapidly bark in protest.

As a boy, Will could talk to Steve and he would listen, well at least pay attention. Steve was good at that -s-. Yes we paid attention to our kids, but there is something to be said about a boy and his dog.

Then there was the time the drugdealing stoned pedo tried to grab Erica. Steve lunged at him, snapping. The idiot tried to kick him, giving Mommy and me time to deploy with our guns, driving the scumbag away.

Steve was a very good judge of character, not just the above moment, but other times he warned us and conversely when he received attention from strangers. He loved the Armed Informed Mother's March in Chicago Mother's Day 2000. And so many times walking him and just meeting people.

Like his namesake, he had an eye for the ladies, well for him the girl doggies. He made friends easily lol.

So much life and love was shared. It was so at the end of his time here as well.

It was a solemn time and that quiet as he passed was intense. I wonder even in the din of battle if there is a moment of quiet that's undetectible but always there no matter how sudden socalled 'death' can be. A moment of transition.

Steve's transition made me for the umpteenth time acutely aware of the fact we all go sooner or later. Life in a corporeal body is limited, be it canine, human or otherwise.

It has renewed my resolve to use my time. My hope is to get some of my stories told, to do my best to play my part in Restoring this Republic and be there for my kids. I will treasure the time I have.

We love you Steve. We always will. Love never dies.