May 12, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEWEY LITTLE

For a brief time (about a year, to be exact) May 13 was a very sad day for me.

And then it wasn't.

On May 13, 2004 my dear dad took his last breath and passed away.  He went quickly and peacefully, and at the last moment raised his arm up as if someone were reaching for him.  I like to think that it might have been his own father who had died when he was a little boy and whom he said was the first person he hoped to see on the other side.

That first year after Dad's death was a bit of a blur, to be honest.  I remember Chrissy living here with me and our friend Kavanaugh coming for chicken and vegetable dinners a few times, and the two of them ribbing me about whatever silly shenanigans I had been up to.

Sometime during this year I got the bright idea to get a dog, and I decided to get a Jack Russell Terrier from Ireland.  I had always loved Eddie on Frasier, and the idea of paying thousands of dollars for a special Irish Jack Russell terrier, its travel to the US, and all of the expenses for its special companion person to travel with and then stay and acclimate said Irish Jack Russell made perfect sense to me.

What can I say? 

I never really was the brightest bulb in the chandelier.

Fortunately, both Kavanaugh and my sister put the kabosh on that.  I think their exact words were "Are you out of your bleepity bleeping mind?!?!", and I started to look elsewhere.

I found a breeder of Jack Russell terriers right here in Hoosierville.  And not just any old Jack Russell terriers...these were Shorty Jacks.  Also known as Puddin' Jacks.  And the website for this breeder...whimsically called Willowswamp Farm, told the story of a man named Rex who had fallen in love with Shorty Jacks when he was five or six years old, and how his farm was full of the most loveable, nicely tempered, well behaved little dogs ever put on the planet.

So I sent Rex an email, and his response changed my life forever.
Stewey was born on May 13, 2005...one year to the day of Dad's passing...to Mrs. Arrowhead "Headley" Willowswamp and Mr. Angus Willowswamp.  He was the smallest of three boys, and although purely bred, was not breedable or showable because of a distinctive overbite.  His small size and "special feature" meant that he was also discounted to fifty bucks, and if I was interested I could pick him up in July.

On July 6, Chrissy and I drove my little blue car through the cornfields of Ligonier, Indiana (literally...right through the cornfields...because I missed a turn and thought the tractor path was the only way to get to Willowswamp) and I met the love of my life.  I picked him up, said "I'm your Mommie", kissed his little nose, smelled his perfect puppy breath, and was a complete and total goner.
He was quirky, to be sure, and often funny, exasperating, and sometimes misunderstood.  But the eleven years, four months, and eight days that I spent with him were a grand adventure that changed me forever.  I can honestly say that I never imagined myself capable of such a deep and unconditional love, nor did I ever think myself worthy of receiving it in return.
The only explanation I've been able to come up with is that my mom and dad sent Stewey to me specifically on May 13 so that I would have something happy to think about this day rather than something sad.  At first I thought it was all Dad's doing (because of the date), but the more I think about it, the more I see Mom's hand in it.  She knew that Dad was my hero and that I needed somebody to look out for me once he was gone.  And, in perfect Mom-like fashion, she found the perfect little creature to do just that and give us all a few laughs at the same time.

Life without Stewey is different, but for the first time in a very long while I feel like I'm going to be OK.  My heart still physically hurts from missing him so, but I'm convinced that he was here for a reason and my memories of him will sustain me through even the darkest days.  The outpouring of love that I've been blessed with is all him...I know it to be true...and I am sure that if he were here he would be as humbled and profoundly grateful for it as I am.

Happy Birthday, Stewey Little.  I couldn't have loved you more if I had given birth to you myself.  Thank you for being my BabyDear, and rest easy that your Mommie is going to be OK thanks to this family you sent here to look out for me.

P.S.  I know that last picture isn't one of your favorites because it is from your "chubby period", but it's the only one I have of you with one of your Aunt Chrissy birthday daisies.


27 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Stewey. ๐ŸŽˆ ❤️ ๐ŸŽ‰ ❤️

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  2. Happy Birthday To You lil Stewey ๐ŸŽ‚ ๐Ÿ’–
    Baa

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  3. Happy Birthday, dearest little Stewey, and God Bless you Coni!


    Sandra from Texas

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  4. Happy birthday, Stewey. We all miss you, but Mommie will always miss you the most, and always love you the most because she has the biggest heart.

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  5. Happy birthday Stewey, don't worry about your mama, we are collectively holding her close. She is well loved and you would be so happy to know she is taking good care of herself.

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  6. I pray that your day is filled with lots of wonderful thoughts of both of the two important guys in your life. Just remember your not alone there is lots and lots of us that are happy to keep holding you up. Here's hoping you have a peaceful day.

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  7. Wishing you many happy memories of Stewey on his birthday๐Ÿพ๐Ÿพ

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  8. Happy B-Day Stewey!!!
    Thanks for giving your Mo-ther all the love you could.
    Marilyn

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  9. Happy Birthday to Master Stewey Angus Willowswamp His Very Little Self! I know you are looking down from Doggie Heaven on your Mo-ther and watching how amazingly she's marching on. She loves you so. We all love miss you!

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  10. Happy Birthday, Stewey. You are deeply missed. ♥ Love, hugs & prayers, Cathryn

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  11. HAPPY Birthday, Stewey. I am glad to share your birthday; it is an honor for me.

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  12. Happy Birthday, Stewy. You brought happiness and laughter to my life. I can't even imagine how much happiness you brought to MO-THER. You were indeed a very special little guy.

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  13. What a beautiful tribute to Stewey and your family. I hope you do a happy dance in honor of Sir Stewey. I will! He - through you - brought us so much joy. And today, despite dreary weather and other dreary stuff, I'm going for the joy. - Kathleen

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  14. Coni, thinking of you today and wishing you joy as you look back on the memories made with Master Stewey. Have a peaceful day!

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  15. Happy birthday to Master Stewey Angus Willowswamp and know that we are all looking out for your Mo-Ther as you requested. We all know the love, laughter and frustration she brought into your life but we know in spite it all that you loved her with all your heart.

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  16. Sweet, sweet Stewey. I also had a Jack Russel who was "discounted" due to lack of spots. He was the best blue light special! Hugs to you.

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  17. Lots of virtual birthday candles for Stewey over at https://www.youcaring.com/conirich-813248

    (((hugs)))
    Susan

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  18. Happy Birthday, Master Stewey. You were much loved and are sorely missed.

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  19. Happy birthday dearest Stewey. We miss you but not as much as your beloved Mo-Ther xx

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  20. What a wonderful remembrance of sweet little Stewey. I'm sure he's enjoying a nice glass of wine, wearing his smoking jacket and cravat while contemplating whether the Birthday cake is really up to his standards! Bless you Coni

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  21. Happy birthday, Stewie. I have a Mo-Ther just like yours, who thinks your Mo-Ther is awesome. Love, Bailey Bops Johnson, Emperor of the World, whose feet should never touch the ground.

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  22. Happy Birthday Stewey ๐Ÿถ

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  24. Happy Birthday Stewey. Happy Mother's Day Coni. And now I'm going for a Kleenex because I'm typing this through my tears. Bless you both.

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  25. Happy Birthday, Stewey! Happy Mother's Day, Connie! When I posted my comment gor yesterday's post, I had no idea that Stewey was sent to you by your mom and dad, but it certainly makes sense. I am sure that, when the time is right, Stewey and your parents will be looking out for a new furry companion for you.

    I have a similar story about my Jemimah. I am married, but my husband and I were never able to have children. God, and maybe some of my previous four-legged children, decided that it was time for a really special companion. I, like you, did some research and found that a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would be a good dog for our family (me, my husband, our dog, and our 2 cats). Long story short....was guided to a breeder that had a female puppy that was likely going to be too small to show, but they weren't 100% certain as she was only 4 weeks old at time of inquiry. I went to visit her and she was as perfect as a "newborn" can only be to its "mother". After leaving a deposit on her in case they did decide to sell her, I started the 4 hour drive home and asked myself what her name should be. "Jemimah" popped into my head immediately. Well, I've learned to pay attention to the voices in my head and, after looking up the meaning and history of the name, decided it was appropriate. I picked Jemimah up on December 1st 2005, exactly 3 months to the day after she was born (and as soon as the breeder would allow). A day or so after we got her home, we were playing and she was rolling around on her back with her little pink hairless puppy tummy exposed and what do you think I saw? On her tummy, "spelled" out in freckles....a capital J! A confirmation that she was meant for me. I love all my pets and they, of course all have special places in my heart, but, as most animal lovers know, there are those that well...go beyond that. When Jemimah passed away 8 years, 9 months and 17 days after she joined us, I was devastated, heartbroken. (Almost 3 years on, I'm still recovering. Losing Jemimah was like losing a child. No disrespect to anyone that has actually lost a young child. I understand that experience probably does go beyond my experience with Jemimah.) While even 6 months ago I could not have entertained the thought of bringing a new dog into my life, I can now consider the idea without crumbling into a ball at the thought of the pain that losing an animal companion might bring "somewhere down the line".

    Hope this comment wasn't too long or off topic, Coni. I guess I just wanted to share a bit of myself with you and the rest of your stitchy community, just to show that we are all in this crazy life together. Hope you are having a wonderful day.

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  26. I so understand how you feel. I love dogs and have had my share. But my girl Ginger that passed two years ago was my buddy. I miss her constantly. Hugs.

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