Wednesday, July 7, 2004                 

But Life Must Go On

To our readers....

This is perhaps one of the most difficult things I have ever had to write...the passing of Frieda.

"There will never be another Parci for you, Bill.  Just like there will never be another "Lady" in my life," said Michele, a dear friend and owner of Blackwater Kennels near Riverside, California.

Parcifal's name, which means "The Innocent Fool," was probably better suited for me, the owner, than for a brilliant and beautiful male Briard pup who became a champion before he was eleven months old.

Michele was right...there never will be another Parci, yet Frieda--and now young Satchmo, who turned four years old in March--have become so close that it's virtually imposable to describe.

Frieda never entered the show ring.  She broke her back left leg when she was six months old and always walked, especially in her later years with a limp.

Frieda was friends with every person she came in contact with, while Parcifal would greet each person briefly then settle down next to me.

Today Satchel, at age four, just a few days before Frieda's passing,  is beginning to bond closer and closer with me, much the way Parci did.

"Satchel's eyes never left you when you were away from the car," said June (aka "Big Red") a dog expert, dear friend and former Radio City Music Hall Rockette.

Frieda was everyone's friend.  She loved everyone.

To relate my stories, my feelings, and good times I had with Frieda go beyond words.

And the words of Heinrick Zimmer come to mind:

"The best things can't be told.

The second best are misunderstood.

All the rest has to do with history and biography...

.....but are poorly translated."

So....what are we left with?

Just our memories and dreams, I guess.

But for me.... that's just fine.

For memories reside in our souls.....and live forever.

Send mail to bjward@aol.com  with questions or comments.
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