by debbie machmer
Ebony joined our family the day after Christmas in 1989 when she was just 6 weeks old. Eb was a cocker spaniel and had the shinest black coat and the most adorable little face. Having joined us at Christmas time we often called her Ebonizer altho she had a loving, cuddly demeanor about her. Eb fit right in and was part of the family at once. She loved to play ball and chew on her pacifier. Early on I discovered she loved bubbles. She would chase and jump and wag her backside over bubbles. She learned to recognize the bottle and would get soooo excited waiting for the first shower of bubbles to come down. Eb also loved going to the mountains with me. She would go to the berry patch or the pond, it didn't matter. She just loved being out in the woods where she could run and chase anything that moved. When it was time to come home she would follow the car until we were getting close to the hardtop, I would have to scold her to get her in the car. A number of years ago I built a gate for the front porch so Eb could be outside with me while I mowed the front lawn. I would see these 2 little black ears flopping up and down past the railing. Sometimes she got lucky and jumped the railing.
Eb loved ice cream, I would often get a baby cone just for her. She also loved carrots, bananas and apples. She knew which was the carrot dish and would do her little prance by the fridge when she wanted a carrot. Sometimes she'd get so excited she'd jumble up her 'tricks'. She would sit, lay down, offer her paw and be speaking all without being asked to....just for a carrot. She was a funny little dog. Ebony brought much happiness and laughter into our home.
My neighbors thought is was pretty neat when she wrapped herself around the basketball pole and all I had to do was motion one way or the other and tell her "go back around", she would eventually untangle herself. I don't know what the fasination was with bricks but she could carry a full sized brick in her mouth. She'd carry them in the yard and I would carry them out.
Ebony was a snuggler, she liked to be cozied up in the small of my back for naps. When I had my surgery she seemed to know something was different, she was content to lie next to me rather than curled up on my tummy.
The past year and a half I could see Eb slowing down. In the fall I had her to the vet for an exam and was discovered she had cushings. Eb had just turned 14. From October till March was a steady decline. I was carrying her up and down the steps and she was drinking vast amounts of water. In February it was more difficult for her to get around and often needed my help. By early March I knew Ebony would probably not see summer. My heart was breaking. She no longer wanted to be brushed and didn't want her belly rubbed. She would try to reach out for her tennis ball but if she couldn't grab it well then that was okay too. She was okay being held and rocked and talked to. One evening I asked her to please not die all alone. I couldn't bare the thoughts of her slipping away all by herself. I guess in some way she must have understood how important it was to me that she not be alone. I knew I was facing the most painful, unthinkable decision. On Sunday, March 21st I knew she was just putting in time and waiting. She'd had a very rough morning and I just couldn't make her stay around another day. We sat in the rocking chair, me sobbing my eyes out and her just resting in my arms. I stayed with her and held her while our Dr. administered the the injection. Eb went to her final sleep very quietly and peacefully. As you all know, the heartbreak is beyond description. A co-worker and fellow dog lover told me about this site and I am so glad she did. So Ebony, I share my fondest memories and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the joy you brought me through the best and worst of times during the past 14 years. There will only ever be one special you. Puppy kisses for you Ebby.