Farewell to Baskin

Dancin' Baskin of Natchez

2/13/97-9/28/12

We had to put our dear Baskin to sleep on Friday. He died with his head in my lap. On Saturday, we laid him to rest at Cedar Hills Pet Cemetery, south of Spring Hill. I brought a handful of dirt from our yard and sprinkled it in his grave. Tom R., the guy who handles the burials, and I talked about the Spirit or life breath that is in all living things, humans, animals, trees, etc. I read the list I wrote, of The Ten Best Things About Baskin. Thanks to Judith Viorst for the inspiration.

1. He loved us equally. He moped no matter who was away from the house.

2. He loved doing tricks so much, we called him "Circus Dog."

3. He learned to sit and stay (not chase) and watch the deer when he was a puppy, and he never forgot. And the deer knew it.

4. He not only put up with Charley the cat, he actually loved him. Well, kinda.

5. When Richard put his Zero Gravity chair in the recline position for the evening, Baskin would jump up and come over to lick him in the face. And lick and lick and lick.

6. He knew what we were saying even when we spelled it.

7. He knew what we were thinking. Sometimes it seemed like he knew what we were thinking before we did.

8. The only thing he couldn't do was speak, and we were expecting that any day.

9. He loved to watch the wildlife (birds, chipmunks, squirrels, cats, deer, etc.) from the picture window in the den. We called it his "Animal Planet."

10. He was the most loving, most loveable dog we've ever known. And maybe ever will. And I thank God for allowing us to be his people.

We love you, little buddy. You be a good boy now, ya' hear?