THE UNFORGETTABLE OLIVER NORTH.
––by Don Etchison
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT A PERSON’S existence is largely defined by his or her memories. If this is so, a great part of my life is defined by the relationship I have had with dogs. From my ear- liest memories to the present, I have been blessed with fond memories of dogs that I have known and loved. Now, as a senior, I am adjust- ing to the loss of my best friend and constant companion, a large dark red and tan Doberman named Oliver North. I hope as in the past that time will relieve my loss and leave me with warm memories of this magnificent dog.
Frequently the best things in life come in
unexpected ways, be it destiny, fate, or serendip- ity. I had never known a Doberman or set out to have one. In fact, I knew nothing about them, except that they were fearsome looking guard dogs of the first order. I am not sure what my daughter Shelane was thinking when, in her last year at the University of Central Florida, she purchased a registered male Doberman puppy. Following the footsteps of her mother and me, she did not like to be without a pet, having grown up around horses, dogs and cats. She thought about naming him Ollie, but
my wife Sheila said the name was too close to Molly, the name of our spotted bird dog. Shelane was in ROTC, and, out of the blue, I proposed the name Oliver North, as one fitting for the dog of a future Army officer. Not surprisingly, at eight months of age
Oliver North had become a big boy and too much for a college girl to handle in a small apartment. Consequently, he came to live with us. Since he had me from the time I first saw the three-month-old pup, I was happy to have him. He had beautiful markings, lovely light brown eyes and a devilish character.
www.TheNewBarker.com Summer/Fall 2016 THE NEW BARKER 29
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