Pancheaux: A Tribute

Pancheaux, my beautiful boy with the golden eyes, my monkey man, my sweet boy, Panch, Panchito...

You are so loved. You have brought me immeasureable joy. You've brought me to tears I didn't know I had. And you've made me laugh, oh how you've made me laugh...

I remember going to Brazos Valley Animal Shelter on Friday, March 26, 1999 for orientation because I planned on volunteering. I decided after watching the video to just walk around and look at the animals. And then I got to your kennel - you and your 5 brothers and sisters - 3 black, 2 red, and one was red with a black saddle. They were walking all over you and biting your ears, so I reached down and plucked you out and you instantly snuggled in. I was a goner. I went home and was back that afternoon to apply for you. I had to wait 3 days to pick you up, but I went back every day I could just to see you. And on Tuesday, March 30th, I brought you home.

You were SO CUTE!! I named you Pancheaux, after the song Pancho and Lefty, but obviously gave you a cajun kick. The name has suited you just fine...

I remember in those first few months I could carry you around on my hip like a baby. You'd wrap your bottom legs around my waist and just sit on my hip. I must have looked ridiculous, but whatever. I loved it.
I remember moving into the duplex with Courtney and all of a sudden you took on her personality! You were a complete spaz, and because of that I was living with 2 crazies! But I laughed so much. I remember you trying to outsmart me - I put you in the backyard for some reason, forgetting that I had my bedroom window open. The next thing I know, you come walking into the kitchen. I had to laugh, but then went in the bedroom and shut my window and then put you back out. The next thing I heard was a 'THUD!" because you thought you were getting back in again. Not so much...

This is also where you learned to jump fences - and not just any fence, but 6 FOOT FENCES. Finally seeing how you accomplished this made me admire your ingenuity. You were a smart, smart dog. Putting you outside and then having you meet me on the front porch when I opened the door made me laugh, and frustrated me to no end. I don't know many people that had to wire not only the bottom of their fence, but also the top. Points for creativity buddy...

And it was during this time that you started your 'bullfrog jump' - where if someone you wanted to get to was ahead of you, you would literally crouch down and then spring your body straight up in the air. This little 'trick' brought so much laughter to so many, but none more than me. I still wonder what people in the cars driving by must have thought...

Oh, and sorry about the dress up days with Court-Court. I hope you've forgiven me for that by now, even if you haven't forgiven her. Actually, I guess that 'kiss' where you chipped her front tooth in half was probably your version of 'payback'. I'd say that's fair...

Then we transitioned from College Station to Houston together. And the first thing you did when we walked into the new apartment was throw up on the floor. Glad to know you approved of the move! You followed that up by refusing to go to the bathroom outside. To say you weren't thrilled by apartment life is an understatement. It was also at those apartments that you literally leveled me one morning by trying to chase a cat. Another time you wrapped me up in your leash to the point that you took my legs out because you were trying to play with a dog. At least I'll always have that scar to remember you by...

I know you were so happy when we finally moved into a place with a yard. I knew I'd never make you go back. The yard was your domain... until I brought your sister home. Again, you were not thrilled. But you came to love her and protect her. You followed her during all of her escapes making sure she stayed safe - even when y'all escaped for the first time only 3 weeks after I brought her home. You're the only reason I was able to find her. And then you followed her on the succession of escapes that came after, leading me to not only hotwire the fence, but put chicken wire along the bottom and then hotwire THAT. Ingenuis, I tell you...

Your stubborness allowed you to manipulate me into giving you anything you wanted - space on the bed, cheese on your food and my bowl/plate to lick at the end of a meal. I couldn't say no to you. I've never learned...

But I have learned what it's like to be unconditionally loved - because of you. I know what it's like to always have someone happy to have you walk through the door. I'd say I'll miss your hair lying around, the strands that are half-white, half-black so they're sure to show up on anything, but I think you've left enough of that here so I'll be covered for my lifetime. I'll miss your wagging tail THUMPING walls and clearing tables. I'll miss your frito paws. I'll miss you nudging your head under my hand so I'll pet you. I'll miss you staring at me until I finally get up and do whatever you want. I'll miss you jumping up on my back windows to let me know that you mean business - you want back inside. I'll miss you sticking your backside at me because you want that area above your tail scratched. I'll miss you running in your dreams and snoring in your sleep. I'll miss your floppy ears. I'll miss your golden eyes. I'll miss your huge, huge heart...

God speed little man, you truly are the best dog I could have ever asked for and more. Thank you for all you have given me throughout the past 12+ years. I love you more than I know to say...

Be at peace my friend. May you be restored and reunited with all of your furry friends - Shiner, Hank, and make sure you find Sam - he's the one that initially opened my heart and paved the way for you. And Paw Paw's waiting too - he'll know where the treats are!

Now go cross the Rainbow Bridge, and wait for me there, until we meet again...