Ode to Chicco
(1992 - 2006)

When you lose someone that you have always had around you, someone that was always cheerful. When you lose someone that always came to you when you were sad, someone that always was sweet.

When you lose someone that always made you laugh, someone who was dancing with you. When you lose someone that was always happy when you came home, even if I was gone for just one second.

When you lose someone to whom you could always tell everything, who was there unconditionally. When you lose someone with whom you had lived for ten years, who was always close to you.

When you lose someone with whom you could play in
the snow, being happy with any snow ball.
When you lose someone that always wanted to swim with
you, and being so very blissful.

When you lose someone with whom you always lay
in the grass in the summer, then he rolled around for
being so happy.
When you lose someone with whom you collected the
mail every day, then you'd wish this time wasn't now.

When you lose someone whom you could alone love,
because it was safe and trusted.
When you lose someone that only knew me, that was
your only friend.

When you lose someone with whom you shared everything,
and then dream of being back in time. When you lose
someone whom you love so much, you'd wish you were
with him.

When you lose someone, you hope this was the right choice.
When you lose someone who meant so much to you, your
world falls down and you hope it was a dream.

Your lady





Chicco (1992-2006)

That dear, big, white icebear-dog, that always gayfully came hobbling towards me and then pushed his snout in the air and uttered one loud exuberant "woof". That dear, imperturbable, tranquil, funny lambkin is now dead. We saw it coming. His hind-legs became weaker and walking was more and more difficult. Sometimes it was too much for him and then he sat down in an uncomfortable position. But he enjoyed life still
to the fullest. Rolling around in the grass, frolicing towards me across the land, barking when music was played, smudging his head on his frock and making funny faces when we stroked him. At night we usually heard a bark, his sign that he
needed to go outside. In the mornings he always stood at the bed, wanting us to get up. His sweet patient eyes seemed to understand everything. Our young dog Bram found in him, this aged 14-year old Golden Retriever, the ideal foster uncle. He laid down close to that large body, played with him, challenged him and Chicco? He was the boss and showed it by now and then showing his teeth. But Bram was never afraid. He didn't need to be. With Chicco he felt safe and he
had quite some awe for him. Chicco was deaf and also couldn't see very good anymore. You had to wave at him from afar if you wanted him to come along. One summer day we walked a while in the grass-lands. Chicco and Bram went with us.
Chicco froliced along, but stayed somewhat behind. He would come, as usual. But he wandered further and further, the other way. He seemed disoriented, he thought we had gone in another direction. There was no sense in calling him. As a madman I ran his way. In the meantime he had swum across a ditch. In the end we had approached him and were just metres away. We tried to catch his attention and waved in his direction. Thank god he saw us! Chicco jolted behind us, back home. On the way he once eagerly barked. He felt at home in in the free spirit of nature. There in his paradise, near his lady, that sweet Yb, he now may rest for ever. Farewell dear dog, I miss you!

Karin