Fred, my elder grand-dog, was the Greatest Dog in the World. I know you probably think that to me Miss Sadie and the Cowboy might be greater. If you have known me a long time, you would be certain that Jake my Boon Companion was greater. But you would be wrong.
Fred was a large black lab with a deep chest, the better to hold his extraordinary heart. His coat was as thick and glossy as a bear’s, and his waving tail most likely caused monsoons somewhere in the Pacific. He had an enormous, booming bark that gave miscreants pause but didn’t fool anyone else.
As near as we can tell—Rob the Firefighter bailed him out of jail in his youth—Fred was eighteen years old when he died. He had a wonderful life post-rescue, loved without reservation by an entire family of dog goofs. He went to work with his beloved Rob before he became the Firefighter, galumphed joyously onto the bed whenever I visited, and went on road trips and cross-country ski adventures and wonderful hikes in at least a dozen states.
Fred wore a handsome sweater on his visits Up North, and he kept it on until the woodstove heated up. I kept toys for him in that basket.
He adored the Lady Alicia. He loved Lucy, my younger grand-dog, who is desolate at her loss, and he was great friends with Miss Sadie and the Cowboy and many, many other dogs he met in his long life.
Fred, Lucy and Miss Sadie share a companionable moment in April, 2009. Cowboy was around somewhere - probably scouting for treats.
He loved Rob and Alicia’s friends and loved coming up north and loved every brilliant moment when he could turn all that candlepower on a person who needed it. Fred was a great healer. Also a great chowhound.
During a cottage weekend in 1998 or 1999 Fred kept a close eye on Charlotte's dinner preparations. She and Paul were among his favorite Friends of Rob and Alicia.
Towards the end he could barely walk 50 yards, but his happy dance at the prospect of treats stayed with him to his last weekend. I saw it on Saturday before I left for home after Thanksgiving. The last time I petted him he was napping in a patch of sunlight, his coat gleaming. And he was still the Greatest Dog in the World.
In October Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I went over to Glen Arbor for a family gathering. Fred was glad to see us, but he was clearly slowing down.
Torch Lake Views 
Beth Toner
December 2, 2009
Oh, Gerry, my heart goes out to you and Rob. Our own black lab (a rescue, too!), Crystal, moved on to the great hunting grounds in June. Maybe she and Fred are playing together!
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Thank you for the note. I know you are still missing Crystal. Love wrapped in fur, that’s what labs are.
Preston Surface
December 2, 2009
What a beautiful tribute for Fred. Gerry I am so sorry for your loss. I realize the hurt to be unbearable with absolutely no cure to ease it. I can’t stand the thought of eventually losing Moppet, the Shih-tzu in my avatar or any of the other three we have. I cried like a baby when the last dog we fostered was put down at the vet, a very old border collie. However, you are the lucky one for having shared the life of one so loving and kind as Fred. My thoughts definitely go out to you and yours.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Thank you, Preston. Dogs can really get to us, can’t they! All of us who love them are lucky. Really, really lucky.
p.j. grath
December 2, 2009
That story tugs at my heartstrings, Gerry. David, Sarah and I send you all, human and canine, deepest condolences on your loss. There’s no dog like an old dog. Only this morning I began a sentence to David, “When Nikki was at the height of her powers…,” and already it has become a household phrase. Love the pictures and the story of Fred’s life!
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Thank you PJ. I knew the Dog Ears Books contingent would understand. When Fred was at the height of his powers he was the Nikki or Sarah of G&R Bikes, greeting the customers, hanging out with the mechanics, keeping things mellow.
flandrumhill
December 2, 2009
Dogs can teach humans a thing or two about unconditional love and loyalty. I think we mourn the passing of a great dog until the day we die.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Oh yes. They’re always missed. Bingo and Spike and Jake and Amore the First and Ralph . . . but the grief eases, the warmth lingers. We’re better for having loved them.
uphilldowndale
December 2, 2009
What a wonderful dog and such a long and full life, hugs Gerry; sending hugs to you and yours.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Thank you Mrs. Uhdd. I believe I’ll give all those hugs to Rob and Alicia for safekeeping.
centria
December 2, 2009
Oh, Gerry…I am so sorry. Fred looks like he was a wonderful dog. His waving tail most likely caused monsoons somewhere in the Pacific… I’m sure he will be missed so much. Sending you all lots of love as his spirit now soars free.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Thank you Kathy. I had to chuckle – this reminded me of my dad saying that I was “always off leash.” Fred’s spirit was definitely always off leash and soaring free. I expect we’ll feel it when we need it most.
giiid
December 2, 2009
Gerry, I am so sorry. Your photos of Fred shows clearly what a lovely and good-natured dog he must have been. Your words tells about a good doglife, filled with love and care from family and friends. How lucky you are to have had a dog like him in your life.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Thank you Birgitte. We were lucky. I was, at any rate. Rob and Alicia worked hard to tend Fred and support his essential greatness! It’s a challenge to care for an aging pet, but it has its rewards.
Bettie Komar
December 2, 2009
Gerry, Pamela (my sister, of Dog Ears Used Books, sent this link to me with the note, “This will tug at your heartstrings.” We’re all “dog people” in my family and you’d have thought I’d given birth when my husband (who’d never had a pet of any kind in his life – and we married when we were both 43) agreed to get a dog. Gracie, our rescued black Lab, is the animal love his life now and he takes her everywhere. She’s here behind me now as I wipe away tears for your family at your loss. Pamela can tell you about a children’s book, “Dog Heaven,” which I think all dog lovers need to read when they lose such a loved family member. 18 years! I can tell Fred was a wonderful dog and had many, many friends. I’ll toast Fred’s life and hope those years of memories are soon a comfort to all who loved him.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Thank you, Betty! How nice to meet Pamela’s sister. There is something about black labs in particular . . . well, and tidy fawn-colored terriers, and fluffy spaniels of uncertain lineage and . . . a good dog is a great joy, and I have been blessed to know many of them. We are “dog people” too, and thank heavens have encountered many “people dogs” during our lives. Thank you for writing.
Katherine
December 2, 2009
Awwww. it’s awful losing the unconditional love a dog can give. He will be a “GOOD DOG” always.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
I think that loving, and being loved, is never lost. But that dear companionship . . . Rob and Alicia will notice the Fred-shaped space in their home for a long time. Thank you for writing!
Nye
December 2, 2009
Gerry, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, I had my fair share of loosing my dogs over the years and I know Fred will always lived in your memory.
Gerry
December 2, 2009
He will. He does. Thank you, Nye.
California Dreaming
December 2, 2009
Dear Gerry, Rob and Alicia,
We are so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. But, take heart maybe he and Amore are romping on some sandy beach somewhere now, with no more pain from stiff old joints etc. What a sight they were with Fred towering over her and she just following him everywhere except into the water to fetch a stick. Fred was a great dog, but of course you all know that!
Gerry
December 2, 2009
Oh yes, we do. Thank you for bringing a good memory to mind. I just spent half an hour tracking the Disreputable Duo along a dark and stormy beach and STILL felt glad to see their wretched selves waiting for me on the deck when I straggled back, despairing. The Cowboy stinks of fish and Miss Sadie is trying to pretend none of it was her doing. They have yet to achieve Fredness.
Carsten
December 3, 2009
I’m sorry for your loss Gerry.
It is truly heartbreaking to loose an old close friend.
It feels as the depth of the grief equals the sum of all the joy. But after some time only the memories of the joy remains.
Gerry
December 3, 2009
Thank you, Carsten. I agree with you. We’ve all been looking through piles of old pictures, remembering that big, warm dog and his happy outlook. We are comforted.
Cindy Lou
December 3, 2009
Lots of love and big, wet, sloberry dog kisses from me and my big, black dog – Jack!
Gerry
December 3, 2009
Thank you, Cindy Lou. When my beloved Jake of blessed memory came into our lives, Rob the Firefighter was Rob the Adolescent, and it fell to him to name the little stray. He decided on “Jake” after a character in a movie. The next day he remembered that the character’s name was actually “Jack,” but by then Jake had become his name, and there was no going back. Pets to Jack.
Kim L.
December 3, 2009
what a blessing to have had Jake in your lives, even though also a sorrow to have lost him now. 17 wonderful years.
Gerry
December 3, 2009
Thank you Kim. I see that I have confused the issue. Jake my Boon Companion died ten years ago, also after a long life. Fred, my grand-dog, is the one we are grieving now. We have a long history of great, great dogs in this family, and every one of them was a blessing indeed.
isathreadsoflife
December 4, 2009
Oh, I feel so sorry for your loss, Gerry… I know what it means to see one’s loyal friend leaving. Mouchette was 17 when she passed, wonderful years of true companionship. Maybe the souvenir of all the happy moments with your beautiful Fred will comfort you. The gratefulness of those shared moments of joy will be forever with you and yours.
Thinking of you.
Gerry
December 4, 2009
Thank you, Isa. I feel lucky to have been grand-person to Fred. It seems the blogosphere is rich in people whose dogs live a long, long time. Miss Sadie and the Cowboy think this is a good sign. I miss Fred. Rob and Alicia miss him even more. But we’re all glad to have known him.