Our dog, Merlin, is no longer with us and he will be missed. His 15 years of life was full of memorable moments for a lot of people.
In college (1996), I went to the local Humane Society to look at puppies with a friend. Merlin and his brother were 6 weeks old. Without thinking it through, we decided to take him home with us to the fraternity house (where dogs were not allowed). But before we could take him, they needed permission from my Parents. I got a friend on the phone and told him to pretend to be my Dad - it worked!
Merlin was a "legend" at the fraternity. He could catch a frisbee no matter where you threw it and he could somehow recognize all 50+ guys who lived in the house. Any strangers were barked at. He would get so excited when he saw certain people that he would pee a little on their shoes when they greeted him. There are countless "Merlin Stories" from his college years. I returned to the fraternity for a reunion several years after graduating. An undergraduate fraternity brother I don't know proceeded to tell me a story about "a dog who used to live in the house". He was shocked and excited to learn that dog was mine. I wonder if they are still telling stories about Merlin.
After college, Merlin moved with me from St. Charles to Mundelein to Chicago to South Elgin and then to Cleveland. I think we moved about a dozen times and we had about 15 different roommates. He met Norma and her two cats, and we moved in with them after moving to Cleveland. The cats were terrified of Merlin at first but they later became friends.
Merlin was there when we came home with Sofia and Fiona for the first time. He was always gentle with them but Merlin was pretty old by that point and he never had any interest in playing with them. Plus, they mostly just pulled his tail and ears.
Before meeting Norma, Merlin was my best friend and companion. I feel like we had a special bond and there is no doubt he was a special dog. I will always remember how good-hearted and intelligent he was, and I miss him immensely.
I love you Merlin.
Joe
