Clancy |
When we were in Germany in 1993 I picked up a dog magazine and saw an ad for an Irish
wolfhound breeder in Arkansas. I tore that page out and kept it, in hopes
that we would contact the breeder when we returned home. Three years later, about
two months after returning to Arkansas, I phoned that breeder, who fortunately
had two litters due. Our Clancy was born, and our lives were changed forever!
He came home to us at 11 weeks in May 1996. He was a very energetic puppy, playing endless hours with our now departed Koa and Katie. He was not overly affectionate, and even as an adult he did not seek out our attention. He didn't care for loud speaking people or heavily bearded men. He loved to chase the cats around the house and squirrels in the park. After Koa's passing Clancy took over as top dog, and until recently he would lead our clan in song. Even though he did not master the howl, he held his note and held his head as high as the others that could howl, and his song was beautiful. Clancy was introduced to Jazz in August 2000 when he was four years old. Soon they were inseparable and walked on leads as a team. Clancy and Jazz were invited to take part in the St Patrick's Day parade in March 2002, when Clancy was six . He did the 2003 parade, but that was his last because of his age. In 2004 he was introduced to a new puppy named Charm, who Charmed her way into the old man's heart. As with all new puppies, Clancy was a bit upset with this new face in his, invading his space but soon they were often sleeping next to each other and Clancy, on nearly a daily basis, cleaned Charm's face whether she wanted it or not. He also got to meet Jazz's puppies and eventually accepted Shay into the fold. Shay never challenged the old guy, and on even the slightest growl he would go down on his belly. Clancy and Shay never formed a close relationship - theirs was one of respect. Then last summer Perry got two white baby chickens . . . why, I will never know. Clancy loved to chase them around the yard. I kept thinking I must take a picture of my nine year old chasing chickens . . . unfortunately, I never did, but at least I have the images in my mind to chuckle at. Knowing Clancy was not going to be with us much longer, we decided it was time to get a new puppy (Lacy). As with all the puppies, Clancy has been the grumpy old man. Lacy did, however, get to see the puppy in him early one morning three weeks before his death - they bounced around in play until Clancy was too tired to continue. It was one of the last times he was feeling his best. One of my best old friends has taken his last trip to join my beloved Katie and Koa at rainbow bridge. My heart cries in pain, but I know we had to say goodbye. It was a pleasure to have known, cared and loved one of the best - run like the wind, my sweet Clancy! |
