Monday, August 15, 2011

And Just Like That... They're Gone.

Finally the weather turned nice around here and Diesel and I were able to get out and take a quick walk around the neighborhood. Most of the time Diesel and I go out, I leave the iPod at home. Occasionally its nice to turn on some good upbeat music and just walk along with the pace, but on most of our walks it's an opportunity for me to enjoy the silence that comes with the trail and let my thoughts drift.

As Diesel and I were out on the Clinton River Trail today I was thinking back on a story that Mikey told me last night.

Mikey and Diesel had gone up state over the weekend leaving me to clean the house from floor to ceiling like it had really needed. Meanwhile, the two of them were out stomping around the woods getting ready for the upcoming hunting season. Mikey made his way up a tree stand to get a better idea of the lay of the land. Well, Diesel didn't see him go up and realized he was alone. The poor guy looked around, didn't see Mikey and heads trotting off towards the cabin before breaking out into a full on sprint. Mikey can see from his vantage point as Diesel quickly surveyed his surroundings, come to the conclusion that Mikey wasn't there and does the same full speed run back to where Mikey had last been seen. Again he searches the area and runs full tilt down another trail. At this point Mikey can tell that the poor dog is getting worried and he calls to him. Diesel eventually hears him and zeros in his location. That classic German Shepherd smile encompassing his face showing a look of relief.

It's not everyday you get to see your dog react to a situation where he's lost or confused. And honestly it really showed some real intelligence that he was able to remember locations and where is precious daddy could have been. It breaks my heart that Mikey and I have to leave him at home this weekend for the first time without either one of us. He has grown to be such an important member of the family that he comes almost every where we go. Thankfully, my mom will be keeping an eye on the big guy.

Unfortunately, while out on our walk today, we also learned of the passing of a good friend. It was one of those unexpected accidents that really knocks you off your feet when you hear about it. It's unbelievable how something that you do almost every day at work, could turn tragic and and cause an injury or worse. I worry about Mikey and his work near the power lines every day. Here in Detroit the grid system is so old, they don't cut the power unless they have to. It's a risk that both Mikey and I know and he takes the utmost precautions each and every day. Our friend died while doing the most simplest of tasks that on this particular day a malfunction occurred that cost his life.

Please remember to take the time out to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you, and tell them you love them. You never know when something like this could happen and you should never take their being there for granted. You could turn around one day and they could be gone.

We lost a good friend, a son, a brother, and father. He will be missed.

2 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your loss. The power grid in Detroit is awful and needs replacing immediately. Unfortunately, that won't happen until something totally catastrophic happens.

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  2. Thanks Kim :)

    When Mikey has to work storm in Detroit he says most of the wires are so old they are bare. You can feel the electricity coming off of them! smh

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