As a puppy, she chewed every shoe that was not closeted and everything else she could reach.
To her dying day, we could not leave her alone with a trash can because she would tip it and scatter-chew-eat the contents.
When Amanda was one and Abby was not yet born, we had Max the Cat and Copper Dog at home. We went shelter-hopping for a Black Lab. If she had been a boy, we would have named her Tod.
She got kicked out of puppy class for being too rambunctious.
She once knocked a full crockpot onto the floor and she and Copper Dog ate all the chicken and all the bones and drank all the sauce before we got home. Neither got as much as an upset tummy.
By the time she was seven, we had taught her not to jump on people…except my Dad. She was just so happy to see him, she would forget every time.
She could open almost any door. She broke out to run. A lot.
She could not open doorknobs. Every doorknob in Mom and Dad’s house has Ebony bite marks on it.
We have never lived near a busy street because of Ebony.
When she would escape from Mom and Dad’s house, we knew we were not fast enough to catch her, and she was too in the moment to hear us, so we would just watch her bound through the corn/soybean field. She was so beautiful when she ran.
She chased squirrels and bunnies, including the neighbor’s pet bunnies in their hutch.
She trampled the gardens of the neighbors in her pursuit of bunnies. More than once.
If she was awake, her tail was wagging.
She had such a deep, menacing bark that no one from UPS or FedEx would come to the door. She made every single mail carrier jump except Tall Sexy Mailman. If he wasn’t delivering the mail, she didn’t want them on her porch.
She used the same bark when she was happy to see someone.
She escaped Mom and Dad’s house once and barked her happy-to-see-you bark at their neighbors…from their porch…while they were inside trying to come outside.
They were so scared they called Nebraska Humane Society and when the officer arrived at Mom and Dad’s looking for a black dog at large, Mom and Dad’s four-pound Ernie Dog came running out and barking, trying to take the heat for her.
Ebony got a dog-at-large ticket anyways.
I forgot to pay it.
A warrant was issued for my arrest.
I went to the police station to ask them what I should do.
I got arrested – mugshot, fingerprints, everything.
She and I were eventually pardoned.
She was a good dog.
Ebony, I do not know what my life looks like without you in it. I am not ready to figure that out, and we were not ready to say good-bye. Our family has always been you and us. But…we will deal with all of that.
You run.
Tags: Ebony
Dr Finch, I’m so sorry to hear about Ebony. I love the story of her life. It sounded messy and crazy, but also fun and happy. I’m sure she’s a dog no one will ever forget, especially the posties and neighbours!You’ve lost so many pet friends lately, I think your family must be quite sad. Please send everyone my thoughts xox
My eyes are filled with tears. I don’t even know how you wrote that, as pained as your heart must be. Sending lots of strength your way.
Ah, Shawn (and Russ and Amanda and Abby). I’m so sorry about Ebony. She was a great dog. I keep asking myself why we do this. Why do we let these little creatures into our lives knowing full well we’ll fall in love with them and, chances are, we’ll outlive them? Why do we set ourselves up for such sorrow? I’ve realized that as deep as that sorrow is, the joy of knowing them and loving them is even greater. Your family has really been hit with sorrow these last few months. I’m glad to see you can still see the joy. Praying for you.
So sorry to hear about Ebony. She sounds like a lovable rascal and your memories are fond ones. She is running now and with our creator.Hugs, Carol
A wonderful tribute to your Eb, Shawn, and what beautiful, funny, touching memories to keep close always. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
I was so sorry to hear about Ebony… this post was a beautiful tribute to her life. Sending lots of hugs your way during this tough time.
Thank you so much Friends. Having you here and letting you know her a little (And Cathy, you did. She was great, wasn’t she??) helps more than you know. I can’t put the best of Eb into words, but writing and having friends and family gather around us is just what we need. ❤
So sorry for the loss of your Ebony. What a wonderful, and touching post about her! Take good care.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, but I think it’s fantastic you are able to look back on her life and recall all the best moments. That is what keeps her memory living on.
I’m so sorry to hear about Ebony’s passing. She sounds like a special girl and your tribute makes it clear that she couldn’t have been loved any better.
Thanks Friends ❤ Tammy…I’m gonna need your awesome site in the days to come I can tell. You are all really encouraging. This is going to be a long road but I would not trade our time with Eb for anything.
You went and made me cry. What a great dog. Made me chuckle thinking of all the dog tickets I got when I lived in Boston that I “forgot” to pay. Dogs play such a major role in our lives–they see us through so much. Really sorry Shawn.
Thanks for all of your compassion Nancy! You are just my favorite person. Sorry to make you all cry. Not done yet…I will try to space it out more though!
I’m soooooo sorry Shawn! What a great (and heartwarming) post as a tribute to Ebony. Know you’re loved and being thought of!
thanks for sharing this.. brought back some hilarious memories of my first dog… hang in there
Thanks Morgan. Hope they are mostly happy memories for you!Thanks for holding a place for me at Omaha.net…we were reeling from Fuzzy and Wuzzy and Piggy and I had a bit of foreboding about Ebony even though she was not acting very sick at the time, I just had to step back and now see it was good I did.Already miss writing with you though! …Couldn’t bring myself to come tell you about Eb’s life calender yet…February 11 for the record. Thanks for coming to find me here…you are great!
Thanks Dr. Hill ❤