In Loving Memory

Remembering Epic.

“Epic Melon. My Hunka Hunka. My Nugget. My Zen Buddha Baby. My Snuggly Snu. My Flopsy Mopsy. You knew we belonged together instantly! I remember going to Michael’s to pick out my next agility dog. You came right up to me, so excited, so precocious, so playful. I pointed to your brother and said “that puppy would make an amazing agility dog, but this puppy (you) is sleeping on my lap.” So it was to be and we became each others.

You were such a silly, jovial puppy. Rolling out of your puppy pen, waking up at 330am for potty breaks (a pattern that carried into adulthood). You loved to give smooches, so much so that “give kiss” became your very first trick.

You loved people and you loved life! Always the Bell of the Ball! Strangers were just friends we haven’t met yet.

It was clear agility was not going to be your thing (though you had the skills). You had a different calling.

Your passion was bringing joy to others. You did just that with your work as a Certified Therapy Dog. Best known for your Building Communication Skills groups and working with kids, you had a natural ability for knowing who needed you. I remember one time we were at the hospital and you ignored the patient and went to the visitor. The patient later told me that the visitor really needed that. I also remember the time you woke from a deep sleep just to cuddle someone who was tearing up in my office. Let’s also not forget you caring for Mima after her surgery (your first assignment after passing your test). I can go on and on about your therapy work as there were countless moments you intuitively showed up for people.

You also knew how to be there for me always. I will never forget the time Blossom went to the hospital and when I came home exhausted and sad, you jumped on my lap, put your paws on my shoulders and your head under my chin. You just hugged me. You knew. You would jump on me and give me comfort whenever I was sad or anxious. You loved to give hugs and kisses and nestle your head under my chin. One time you even bruised my rib when you enthusiastically jumped on me to hug me. You also loved being cradled in my arms like a baby. You would naturally just fall into place and give your little love snorts as I rubbed your belly, then you would kiss me. I think I will miss those snorts, grunts and kisses the most. Grunts and snorts were your love language.

You truly lived up to your name Epic (AKA Olive’s Grove Larger Than Life). As Mima said, you “don’t do anything in a small way.” Always so chill, the ultimate Zen Buddha Baby. Your energy brought such a playful and grounding balance to the house. There was a time that I thought you hardly ever got your way, because you were never really vocal about it. You just waited for the universe to bring you what you needed. Fun fact: Me thinking you hardly got your way I think resulted in you getting your way the most!

You also were a little mischievous. You would always help yourself to my leftovers (licking Ben and Jerry’s cartons (Phish Food) particularly was your favorite). You loved to jump on the coffee table, night stand and my desk (which is how I dubbed you my personal assistant). And you loved to sleep in boxes. At some point I thought you were just mocking me because we have so many dog beds to choose from and you chose random boxes. You also loved to sleep in the window, so much so I had a special cushion custom made for you.

You were so good with both Blossom and La Bamba!. Sometimes a little sneaky, trying to get them to play with each other so you can snuggle with the Momma. Remember when we used to sneak down to watch TV after Blossom went to bed?

Epic, you are my soul! Our bond was so special. I remember telling someone how Blossom and LB! play together and they asked if I was going to get another dog because you needed a friend. My reply, “Epic doesn’t need a friend, I’m his friend!” We were such good buddies. You loved to have snuggles at night while I was watching TV and running to greet me with a toy in your mouth whenever I came through the front door. You loved being cradled in my arms like a baby, snorting and giving me a kiss.

I could go on and on about you! You are the dog that makes big dog people want little dogs. Hell, you are the dog that makes people who aren’t dog people want dogs (even Nana). You are one in a million! Epic, you are mashed potatoes in a world full of french fries and I can’t imagine life without you!

I can’t imagine walking through the door without you running to me wagging your tail with a toy in your mouth, or going on walks without you and La Bamba! walking in sync. I can’t imagine not saying “Oh Epic, your just so handsome!” or yelling at you for getting into my leftovers (you would think I was just getting excited about the fun you were having or that I wasn’t talking to you at all). I can’t imagine not watching you wake up from a sleep just to move an inch to the right or sprawl out on the floor. I can’t imagine not watching you sleep, with all your vulnerabilities exposed, and hearing you snore (your snoring used to wake me up at night). I can’t imagine not seeing that look you would give when you were about to be mischevious (I would try to stop you and you would stop, look at me and then proceed to what ever mischief you were about to manage as if I could no longer see you). I can’t imagine not snuggling with you at night or you moving to Dan’s spot in bed after he left for work. I can’t imagine not taking you for acupuncture. I can’t imagine not taking you to see Santa (you loved him so much!). I can’t imagine not going on vacations with you (especially Lake George). I can’t imagine not seeing you sleep in the window or hogging the air conditioner vent when it is hot out. I can’t imagine not giving you french fries from McDonald’s or hearing your love snorts. I can’t imagine not listening to Sleeping with a Friend, Jealous (I know you are made of pure love, you still knew how to protect the Momma) and Staying Alive while taking you to your appointments (for the last 10 months you were strong, brave, loving and, of course, a little mischievous through it all!)

Just know that even though I can’t imagine life without you, when I think about life with you, all of those things is what I will imagine and so much more!

I would love to say “until we meet again”, but I know you are a Buddhist and I sincerely hope this lifetime brought you to Nirvana. In which case, I WILL see you again when I reach my own Nirvana. Until then, I will miss you immensely and completely.

I love you Nugget, and I am eternally grateful you chose me!” – Joanna M.