May 29, 2007

Dear Charles,

Let me begin this letter by telling you that I enjoyed reading your newest offering “Waggin’ Tales” very much.  I share that dog loving gene with you and your most recent little Butterfly touches me especially.  I will get to the point of why at the end of this letter.

I have long had a poodle dog in my house.  The first was Rusty, who by the way was as white as snow!  He was named thus because of his night howls as a baby first getting acquainted with his new home.  My husband related his cries to the sound of a rusty door hinge!  He actually grew up as my daughters pet and we all enjoyed him as well.  He had to be put down when he was 13 years old-my daughter was 20 at the time.  They had grown up together and it was a sad loss.  We buried him at “three trees” in the front yard and tried to proceed without him.

Not many weeks had passed until we all were just lonesome for the activity of another little dog in the house.  Even after I had been the one to say “Never another dog”, I was the one responsible for bringing the next dog into the household.  After hearing an ad on the radio for a black miniature poodle one year old for sale in Stephenville I could not resist the temptation to at least go view this dog.  Of course when Sugar was within my presence it was love at first sight!  She had long eyelashes, a fancy pants haircut, and the disposition to go with her name.  The fact that she was the second or third dog of the household, and slept on the floor while they got bedded with the mistress just made me want her more!  It was a rough summer with darling Sugar dog—she ran away almost immediately with my brother-in-laws fox terrier for a few hours and presented us with a passel of little “love children” the prescribed weeks later.  Five little ones now needed homes.  All but one got one.  He was Rowdy and now at the age of 15 still resides with us.  Sugar was an excellent and constant companion.  She was never cross and always willing to please.  She took trips, and shared all of our activities.  At the age of four she lost her left eye to a nasty cat scratch and lived the rest of her days with only one eye.  The groomer always carefully groomed her to give the illusion that it was not gone at all.  At the age of nine we nearly lost her to a female infection.  She rallied and made it to the age of 15.  The last year of her life was as not as good as it might have been.  She navigated the house almost blind by touch and smell.  I vowed that at the first sign of suffering I would let her go, and did on June 4, 2006.  It was one of the hardest days of my life.  She joined Rusty at “three trees”.

This time I did not vow “never again”, but did not go on a hunt for a new dog immediately.  As we all know when the right time comes the right dog comes with it.  A friend that I do not see often had a litter of black toy poodles on July 29.  I didn’t think hard about getting one—that is until I saw them!  At 5 weeks old they were adorable wiggling little things.  After tears for Sugar and Rusty, and holding on to the hope that it was the right thing to do, I claimed the little female of the bunch for mine.  She came home to us in mid September, and has claimed our household and hearts as her own.  Her name is Dixie.

Now for the part of the story that may interest you.  My mom lives at the Rising Star Nursing Center.  From time to time I bring Dixie with me to help liven up the place!  She can do it too.  Dixie had visited several times, and was pretty used to all the attention she received while there.  Then one day there was someone new!  Her eyes lit up when she saw Dixie in my arms and she looked at me so quietly.  I told her it was fine to pet the dog—and she did.  She told me “So sweet”.  When I walked away I could almost see tears in Dixie’s new friend's eyes.  The pretty kind lady with the sad-happy eyes haunted me.  When I read the story of Butterfly and Margaret in the DeLeon paper it all came together for me.  Of course the dear lady is your Margaret—and maybe to her Dixie is her Butterfly.  Now when Dixie comes to visit she has a new heart to warm.

I know how hard it is for you to have Margaret there and not with you at home.  It is a terrible thing.  Even though I did not know your wife before fate put her where she is I can tell what a sweet caring person she was and is.  Maybe someday Dixie and Butterfly can meet.  In the meanwhile I will bring Dixie into Margaret’s life every time we visit.

Keep strong Mr. Chupp!

Your fan of dogs at the Comanche Public Library,

Linda Lancaster

——  Printed with grateful permission and heartfelt gratitude.

Let me hear from you.

My phone number is 254-893-5063, my official postal address is: 333 W AYERS AVE – DE LEON TX 76444-2113, and you can e-mail Charles@CharlesChupp.com.