Memories of Spencer

Memories...of driving to Milwaukee where we first met Spencer
...of a crazy dark-faced boy who followed us out to the car
...of how we borrowed some money and went back and bought him
...of how he immediately stole our hearts and became our friend

Memories...of bringing Spenny home in a blanket that very first time
...of being worried about how our cat Twiney would react:  would she mind?
...of when they first met in the hallway they liked each other!
...of seeing that it helped that they were both the same color

Memories...of when Russ named him Spencer one day
...of how we wanted to name him Amadeus and Russ said, "No way!"
...of how Spencer became Fenster  and many other endearing names
... of Spenny, Brittany, Spaniel, Good Boy, No Running, Spency,
                   Puppa Luppa, "Smit" and later Old Spenny

Memories...of Memorial Day when Spencer ran away and got hit by a car
...of how we prayed so hard as we drove him to the hospital:  it seemed so far
...of how we know it was a miracle from God that he came walking out
...of crying, thanking and praising God for saving Spencer with a shout

Memories...of when Spencer ran away in the farm fields in Tomah
...of how he leaped like a deer, chasing cows and gettin' so dirty
...of how he ran away back home in West Allis dozens of times
...of how we prayed and God brought Spencer home every time

Memories...of Christmas-time when we would sing a silly song to him:
        Up on the housetop, pup, pup, pup
        He's our Brittany Spaniel
        He is a good boy and does no running
        He listens to his daddy and mommy
        Boy baby, boy baby, Spencer is our little Brittany
        Up on the housetop, pup, pup, pup
        He's our Brittany Spaniel

Memories...of when we sold our house in West Allis that Old Spenny grew up in
....of when I drove out here with him to see this "new" house in Hartland
...of how old Puppa Luppa liked this house that we finally bought
...of how he and Teddy just loved to run in the new big yard

Memories...of naughtiness and chewing up good things like Bibles
...of chewing up chairs, couches and leaving hundreds of messes
...of costing us carpets, doors, windows and good wood floors
...of hospital bills, heartache and headaches and more

But it was worth it....we thank God he lived as long as he did:

Memories...of unconditional love that brought joy without speech
...of Spencer waiting while I prayed: he held his peace
...of the longsuffering he endured and his awesome gentleness with kids
...of his good loyal faithfulness, meek spirit and his wonderful temperance

All nine are a reflection of Spencer's Creator:  
    God's "nature" is reflected in His creation!

    Jesus, I thank You for all the years and memories You 
                                            gave us with Old Spenny
    When he was younger he'd run through the house with his "buddy"
                               in his mouth and he'd sing!
    We'd encourage him, "Sing Brittany!  Sing to the Lord!
                                   "Sing Spencer!  Sing for Momma!"

    And he would.

--tim pickl, Saturday November 29th, 2003 A.D.
   in memory of our good dog Spencer....born around Easter 1990 and died Monday 11/24/2003 

Return to Tim Pickl's Poetry Page

Also see:  Memories of Twiney
http://www.pickl.com/timandmarsha/poetry/memories_of_twiney.htm

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
"Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
                                                        Galatians 5:22-23