Trudi Tribute

If only our pets could live longer than they do. Our English Springer Spaniel, Trudi lost her bounce and passed away last Friday after a grueling battle with a mysterious disease. Trudi was a great dog, I miss her a lot. She has provided me with much impetus to create art and enjoy life. She was at my side in the studio reassuring me with sighs and snoring.

An eternal optimist, Trudi never met a person she didn't like. And if you didn't, she'd try her best to change your mind with sweet doggie kisses. She thought everyone would feel better with some kisses.

When she was healthy, Trudi was a lean-running machine tearing a permanent rut into the sod during her numerous hairpin turns around the circumference of our yard that she could circuit for hours. She held the bunnies and squirrels in check. And so, our signal for taking her out became, "Bunnies-n-Squirrels!" Even if she was sound asleep, hearing that phrase would make her jump up with enthusiasm. Being outside was awesome. Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. Each season offered it's own pleasures.

Winter. A happy day, was a day with a fresh blanket of snow in the backyard. Trudi loved snow. She would happily run around making new tracks. And when she got hot from all that, she'd roll around in it and eat some. -Snow tasted so good.

Spring. Mud and Springers. Need I say more? Even better, the bunnies wake up from their winter nap. What joy! Bunnies tasted good too.

Summer. Countless hours in the warm breezes and taking numerous dips in the baby pool. Nothing quenched her thirst like doggie-pool water. yum...

Fall. Crunchy leaves that smelled so good. Those squirrels sure looked tasty if only Trudi could have climb trees.

Sid Korpi (author of Good Grief-Finding Peace After Pet Loss was kind enough to post about my pet's passing on her blog: http://goodgriefpetloss.wordpress.com/.

Rest in peace, Trudi. My studio is an empty hollow without you.