One night, way back in December 1998 - My Dad went to take the trash out. As soon as he got out the door a little white ball of fluff rubbed up against his leg, followed him to the trash can and then back to the front door.
My Dad ran inside to get my little sister, Kate. Katie knew all the neighborhood dogs, so he was hoping she could help him find the little guys family. She'd never seen him, and neither had a few other neighbors. So we called animal control, who came out and picked him up.
Every day for the next two weeks, my Mom would call the humane society to check on him. She was hoping his family had found him, and she wanted to make sure he was ok. When the two week period was up and he was put up for adoption, we went right into the humane society to play with him. We loved him, and instantly knew he was a match for our family. We started the paper work that day, but it was the week of Christmas and the humane society in Lincoln doesn't let animals go home so close to Christmas. All the craziness is a bit much for a new animal. So we had to wait until the next week to take him home.
When we adopted Ted twelve years ago, the vet guessed him to be about 3 years old.
The week between filling out the paperwork and bringing the dog home there was a big debate in our house. What do you name the little white ball of fur? I wanted Igloo. My parents vetoed that right away. But I fought a long hard battle. I lost, but I've never let them forget that. (Or the fact that they said we could buy him an igloo dog house, and they never did buy it.)
Eventually we settled on Teddy Bear. (I am sure I suggested it, but Kate swears up and down it was her. I guess we'll never know for sure, but by default? I'm the older sister, so it must have been my idea. ) Although more common than Teddy Bear, he has known as Ted, Theo or Theodore J. Teddy. (And sadly? Sometimes "Get out of my way, Mutt!")
When it came time for Senior Portraits? Both Katie and I posed with him.
And five years ago when my Dad was recovering from his LVAD surgery - after being in the hospital for more than a month, both the doctors and the dog decided that Ted and Dad had been kept apart for too long, and Mom and Kate were allowed to bring Teddy into the hospital to visit!
Which brings us to the whole purpose of this entry, I suppose. Last night after his nightly walk, my Dad brought Ted back into the house and he (Ted, not Dad!) laid down in front of the steps and passed away. He lived a long life, twelve years of which he was a much loved member of the Bencken Family! And he will be missed!
**I should also mention that on Thursday evening we got a call from Katie... She'd been cleaning her fish bowl for her Betta Fish, Ikatik (Kitaki spelled backwards - if you're curious.) And he'd jumped from his temporary bowl and landed in the sink, sliding down the drain. So my poor little sister has had a traumatic week.
