For the last four bazillion 17.6 years, there was a definite ruler of our Texas family universe. Some of the humans pretended to be in charge now and then, and sometimes I even pretended. But deep down, we all knew who the real boss was. Disney.
She was about eight ounces of pure intimidation, and boy did she boss us around. Especially me.
We first met a few months after mama busted me from the slammer, must’ve been about the spring of 2005. I was a spring chicken, and she was about a hundred years old already. You woulda thought a young buck like myself would take charge of a little old lady (mama says she was not a hundred, but only eleven then), but no sirree, she showed me straight away who was in charge. Disney.
Over the years, she played many, many tricks on me. She talked me into going to the snack bar kitty litter for a tasty morsel — promising me that nobody would see — and then ran and told my mama so I would be caught with my face right in the kitty toilet igloo! Another time she talked my mama into letting me go off leash in her unfenced yard in Galvestion, promising she would take care of me, and then she pulled out her cell phone and secretly called the rabbits to come out and taunt me so I would go racing around and get in trouble. She sure was a trickster!
But sometimes I tricked her too. For example, one time after I took a nap on the couch, I told Disney about the perfect cozy spot I had found, and told her to go try it out. Well she did, not realizing that I had hidden her kitty nemesis brother under the blanket, so she was caught cuddling a cat!
The last time I saw Disney was Thanksgiving weekend. We enjoyed some snacks from the Turkeyman together, and at one quiet moment, she pulled me aside and told me: An era is ending, Nephew. I’m going to be passing the torch along to you soon.
I didn’t really understand what she was talking about, but when I looked at her later that day, I noticed that she was looking kind of tired. I mean, she’s been an old lady ever since I was born, but it was different now. Like maybe she was tired of being the boss. Like she’d had the best life a dog can imagine in her 17.5 years, and she was ready to pass along the Family Elder torch to somebody else. Me.
And then this past weekend when we went back to Galveston to visit my grandparents and my Disney, I could tell that something was different. Disney didn’t want to come out and party with me and meet my new brother. She didn’t want to eat turkey with me or lounge in the sunshine. She was ready. And so on that quiet Saturday afternoon, Disney’s doctor came over while the Duder and I were napping upstairs, and he helped her let go of the torch.
The family will never quite be the same without that old gal’s spirit, but I’m going to do my best to bravely wear the Family Elder shoes in honor of my favorite aunt Disney. I just wish there had been time for her to teach my brother Doodlebug how to play her spectacular game of fetch.
RIP Disney, 1994-2012
Disney mini painting by http://www.yellowbrickhome.com
Love and a Six-Foot Leash 
very tender story. thanks for sharing. rest in peace Disney.
Awwwwwww, I’m so sorry for your loss. Crying Already this morning, having been there myself time & time again. Please know there is a candle being lit in STL just for Ms. Disney. Hugs to you & your entire family.
Disney sounds like she was a really special lady/dog…I’m so sorry for your loss. Sir Chick, it sounds like Disney taught you everything you need to know in order to carry the torch.
Disney sounds like a true matriarch. I wish you and your family a many hugs. Disney is certainly trying out her tricks on unsuspecting pups beyond the Bridge!
Rest in Peace Disney.
Sorry for your loss Chick. Please tell your parents and grandparents that we are sorry too. I am sure you will do a great job of carrying the elder torch and make your Aunt Disney proud!
I am so sorry for your loss, Chick, Dude, and parents. Big hugs to you….run free, Disney!
Oh man, that’s a tearjerker that hit close to home. Disney sounds like a lovely little elderdog who lived a happy life and brought much joy to your family.
The tears are falling for your grandparents and everyone else affected by Disney’s passing. 17.5 years is a long time, but not long enough. I can’t think of anyone better suited to carry the torch than you, Chick. Make your Aunt Disney proud. 🙂
Sleep Well Disney, You’re in good hands sweet girl. You’ll be met by lots of special friends that have gone on before you.
Now I must go reapply make up.
Beautiful. What a long, lovely life. My love to your grandparents, Chickster ❤
Tears, so sorry for your loss. Disney sounded great.
RIP, sweet ol’ girl. Your torch has been passed and you will be missed.
Such a touching tribute. Good luck, Chick, I’m sure you will make Disney proud.
That was beautifully written. RIP Disney and remember the good times everyone had with her.
Disney sounded like a wonderful Aunt to you Chick. You can keep her spirit alive for Doddlebug. RIP sweet little girl.
Chick I only wish that I had the eloquence to speak from the heart like you do. Aunt Disney is proud of you and how you are teaching the Dude to live the life. Our hearts go out to you and your family. Aunt Disney is playing and having fun over the Rainbow Bridge just waiting on the rest of the family to come home. RIP Aunt Disney. You are surely missed and loved.
RIP Disney, may your memory be a blessing. Chick, ditto on what Kim says above. You are lucky you had such a wonderful mentor. It sounds like Disney enriched everyone’s life.
YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS TODAY, AND WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. IT IS NEVER EASY TO LOSE A FAMILY MEMBER THAT MEANT SO MUCH IN YOUR LIFE. DISNEY WILL BE MISSED, BUT WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT THEY WERE LOVED.
Just lovely.
What a sweet tribute, Chick.
I’m sorry to hear this and the tender story brought tears to my eyes.
Well said, buddy! My thoughts are with all of you…
Ohh…wonderful tribute to Disney. It is so sad to loose an important member of your family. We have felt the same with Duke, Nova, Kenny, Chole, Frisky, Charcoal…I miss them all.
You were a sweet little face, Disney. I’m sure you left behind many wonderful memories.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Disney sounds like she had a wonderful, long life.
Run with your angels, Disney xo
You will be missed Disney.
So sorry to hear about Disney. We know she will be greatly missed.
Sorry about Disney 😦
The portrait of her is lovely.
What a beautiful tribute; the tears are falling. I understand the pain and loss all too well as today is the 5 month anniversary of the day I said goodbye to my sweet boy of 15 years. Disney was a beautiful girl and will live on in your hearts and memories.
I’m sorry, I’m so sorry that Disney is no longer with you. Its never easy to lose a friend, you’ll be in my thoughts.
Aww, I am so sorry for your loss! Chick, you will do her proud! And you have the Dude to help you and encourage you. Now its you who will get to teach the Dude the game of fetch.
XO,
~ L.
So sorry for your loss. Disney sounds like she was a great one.
Chick, what a fine tribute to your Aunt Disney. She’d be proud of you. hugs xo
I do love how you write Chick! What a wonderful way to honor your dear friend!
Your not alone Chick. Its so good to hear that Disney had an awesome life.
what a sweet remembrance ~ I’m so sorry for your loss.
A touching tribute to Disney, Chick! We laughed and cried and then cried some more for both Disney and your family.
I’m so sorry to read this. She looked so wonderful! I’m experiencing some of that with both of my dogs Suzie and Jake right now..Many tears over your loss!!
A lovely tribute to a beautiful lady, may she rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss. Disney sounded like a wonderful girl! We hope she rests in peace. Thanks for sharing.
Bella and DiDi
So sad, RIP Disney. We are close to losing our matriarch of the family. Roxy, our 21 year old cat is starting to show her age and she has been in our family since I was 6! I know she has had a good life, but her passing will still be a sad day in the house hold. I only hope she will go in her sleep. Working in animal welfare, it is rare to see an animal pass in their sleep, so I am holding out for her!
Thanks for this post, sharing has helped me get ready for her passing.
x
I am so sorry. Sending hugs and love your way.
Sam
The loss of a pup is the loss of a best friend. Hugs to all of you – with fur and without.
Lots of love and hugs to you – they leave much too big a hole in the universe once their gone…beautiful tribute…
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