Naps

by Mike Rosen

Hurley passed away a few weeks ago. I miss him, mostly coming down the stairs each morning and checking which of our two couches he chose to sleep on. “Be a good dog today, ok? I’ll be right back.” I’d say most days as I left. I miss the sound of him running as he’d excitedly meet me at the door upon my return. I’m slowly adjusting to not having him at my feet anytime the refrigerator door opens or food is being prepared. One of his last outings was for Senior pictures.

Hurley and I met over 6 years ago when Kelly and I went on our First Date. He was rather skeptical and understandably protective, he joined their family as a puppy when Kelly was still  married. Years later, I was the new guy on the scene post-divorce. Early in the relationship, he did NOT like when we (Kelly and I) hugged. At all. He would  quickly hop up and wedge himself between our legs. ‘Not yet buddy.’ I believed he thought. He wouldn’t stop until we did. Years later he stopped wedging, but part of me thinks he was a bit skeptical until the end. Hurley loved to run with Kelly around the park behind our house until he couldn’t anymore. They graciously let me join their runs too.

I learned a lot from Hurley, including, but not limited to:

1. Trust, but verify. Hurley eventually embraced my spot in the newly-formed blended family. It took a bit, but I think I eventually earned his trust.
2. Nap when you can, it’s good for you. 
3. Run most days. Maybe not EVERY day. But some. Also, see #2.
4. Be patient and gracious. Hurley epitomized patience and acceptance. We adopted my parent’s dog Sadie (see here for more on her). Sadie wasn’t like Hurley by any stretch and the few years they spent together highlighted all the ways Hurley was patient and gracious.
5. Try to love everyone or at least find/see the light within them. It’s there in everyone. It might take some grace and patience and time, but it’s there. Hurley loved everyone, maybe even Sadie.
6. Don’t forget #2.
7. Eat cheese. It’s ok, life’s short.
8. Let it go, life’s short.
9. Hurley would bark at both squirrels and coyotes and also at empty skies and wind. The seemingly illogical barking at the sky would bewilder and frustrate me. Maybe in hindsight he was telling the world how happy and grateful he was. Maybe it was just random barking and maybe that’s perfectly fine, Mike. Not everything has to make sense and be in order.
10. Life is short, fleeting, and in a moment can change on a dime in unimaginable ways. Hug your kids, pet the dog, call your parents if they’re still around. Before you know it the kids will be away at college, the dog will no longer be on the couch, and your parents may be gone too. Oh, don’t forget to nap too.

Rest in Peace Hurls…