My sister’s dog died this past week. This is a terrible event for any dog-owner and dog-lover, but it was made more difficult this time by the fact that Rookie, a handsome chocolate lab, was a Very Good Boy. Patient and loyal, he was a testament to his breed, the type of lab that made everyone want a lab. Of course, he owed much of his tolerant and gentle disposition to his owners, and he had great ones. We will all miss him.
When I heard about the Rook, I thought about how sad my nephews would be and that thought led me immediately to Dog Heaven, a wonderful book by Cynthia
Rylant. We read it to our kids twelve years ago when our
dog, (Seamus, a spoiled but loving Golden Retriever) had to be put
down. Though I hadn’t read the book in
twelve years, it was one of the first things I thought of when I heard the news
about Rookie. That’s saying something about this wonderful book.
Dog Heaven is
simple in image and text, a benefit when kids or too-choked-up adults try
to read it. I also think the simplicity
of the book mirrors the straightforwardness of dogs, their desires, and our responsibilities.
Dogs want fields so they can run.
And they want treats
to eat.
My memory of the Rook will be of him pressing his big anvil
head into my leg as I scratch his ears. He might try to get closer, stepping on
my foot, jumping and putting his paws on my chest, just saying hello. Just being a
good boy.
Dog Heaven is a beautiful, playful, and
comforting book. And now I have to
go. It’s getting a little dusty in here.
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