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Remembering a friend and hero
Our family lost a best friend and a hero today.
KeyKey, the rescued Shepherd/Sheltie mix who saved two lives back in August, 2006, died from injuries sustained in an accident.
I’d never been “a dog person,” until I met my daughter Kelly’s dog, KeyKey, a smart, funny, protective critter who found a second home at my feet, under my desk, on my new sofa, and…well, you get the idea. He wound his way into my heart — a sneak attack of sorts.
One August morning, he woke me from sound sleep, staying by my side as I roused my son-in-law and we three escaped our burning home. This silly wonderful rescued dog had two human rescues to his credit.
He was really my daughter’s dog, hers and her childrens’. But I’ve always kept a stash of doggie treats and saved chewy Easter ham bones for him in anticipation of his visits. I assumed, as most people with beloved pets do, that he’d be around for quite a few more years.
Like many dogs, he loved “rides,” racing from side to side across the back seat of the car, head sticking out the partially opened window, ears flapping in the wind. Back and forth. Back and forth. Had to make sure both sides of the car were moving at the same time. He was trained to voice commands, with only an occasional squirrel distracting him. KeyKey was a people dog, not liking to be left out of anything. If he had to be left home alone, you could count on him poking his nose through curtains as soon as the car pulled in the driveway, barking his joy at the return of humans. Sometimes KeyKey didn’t know he was really a dog.
KeyKey was a source of comfort to all of us in difficult and trying times, especially after the fire, and when we’d lost other members of our family. He would cuddle up with us, perk his ears up, look at us with his crazy “doggie smile” and somehow our world would be sweeter, bearable.
He loved snow. Loved to race in it, chase snowballs, frolic. At least he got to enjoy that with “his people” today.
Suddenly, turning on a moment in time, we find ourselves with a gaping hole in our lives that can never be filled. We mourn, for now, but eventually we will smile over the many joys this wonderful dog shared with us.
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Author’s Note: Our thanks to the staff at Animal Care Group in Sango and to CO Publisher Bill Larson for their compassionate response to our loss.
About Christine Anne Piesyk 
In my 40+ years in media, I have worked as feature writer, investigative reporter, editor, publisher, and film/theater/arts critic. I brought my liberal New England activism to Tennessee several years ago, having finally completed a mid-life undergraduate degree in community organizing and women's studies, and an MA in Interdisciplinary Arts with a concentration in Alzheimer's Disease. I served on Future Search Commissions for two colleges and on homelessness for the City of Northampton (MA), where I applied some of my undergrad work in urban planning and community development. I am a member of FreeThinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties. I am a certified storm spotter just because weather fascinates me. In my spare time (define spare time please?) I am a voracious reader, obsessive movie buff, ballroom dancer, and classical music junkie. I also create sci-fi/fantasy and renaissance costumes. I see life as an ongoing opportunity for learning and adventure (one current interest is mastering preparation of foods from India and Southeast Asia). My dream: a return trip to Machu Picchu. After all, the best things still to come. All posts by Christine Anne Piesyk as presented on Clarksville Online are copyright ©2006, 2007, 2008 to the author.
Email: womanspeak@gmail.com
January 28th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I just wish I could have done more. People this loveable dog could have easily been a small child walking on the road. Exercise caution while driving in residential neighborhoods especially during inclement weather. If you see a person or animal close to the road it is quite ok to slow down to well below the posted speed limits. Just in case…