Learning to Master the Trash Can: ELIHU ROOT MATRAY:

... Well, what to say? - I have never admitted to being prompt have I?

Four weeks ago this past Friday the Matrays lost another dog; at the time that made two dogs in three weeks...Both dogs were aging, sure - And we have been sort of expecting these departures for a while now...But still - Two dogs in three weeks? - Seriously?

That is just crazy talk.

You can read Daniel Webster Matray's story here:

http://lostarchitectsunite.blogspot.com/2014/07/daniel-webster-matray.html

... But this blog post and associated story has to do with my Father's English Springer Spaniel, Elihu Root Matray.

My Dad had to put Elihu down on July 18th after finding him downstairs in the middle of the night unable to stand up let alone walk - He was taken to the Vet where a large internal growth was found - The growth was putting pressure on his spine, internal organs and his heart...Ironic that his heart was impacted considering he had lost his brother and pack-leader two weeks prior.

Elihu - Incorrectly, yet lovingly pronounced "L-I-Hue" (...thanks to his groomer) or more simply "Huey" was also a foundling - I actually found Elihu through an online rescue - English Springer Rescue America Incorporated (ESRA) - http://www.springerrescue.org/ - I was still in Arizona practicing Architecture but had recently moved from Tucson to the Scottsdale Horizon Neighborhood and accepted a position with a new firm...My apartment was literally a few miles away from Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West.

... My Sister was still at UNM and my parents had just completed construction on their new home - I had taken a weekend trip out to Chico to help them move out of the house my Wife, Son and I now live in. At that point my Parents had been living with Webster for just about two years and my Dad felt it was time to expand the "Furry" side of the family...I should clarify, when I say my Father felt it was time to expand the "Furry" side of the family I need to stress he needed some real convincing - He does not do too well with change.

It really is sort of a funny story, I still remember pulling-up Elihu's profile online that weekend and forcing my Father to call the Foster Home in Prescott, Arizona...My Father both begrudgingly and reluctantly explaining to the woman on the other end of the line that Huey looked "like a very special animal..." - So, the wheels were set in motion - I returned home to Scottsdale and my Dad's plan was to fly out to Albuquerque in order to drive my Sister home for the summer - They would stop in Prescott on the way, pick up Elihu then drive south and spend a night with my in my small one bedroom apartment in Scottsdale before heading home to Chico.

... Here is a humorous aside - Elihu came to us named "Magnum" - And although he never really struck us as a Magnum a certain portion of his anatomy certainly fit the bill...Probably not appropriate for the PG nature of this Blog - But hey, *Wink, wink* - Still funny right?

So, back to the story - Elihu's first night as a Matray was spent curled up at the foot of my couch - I still remember gently petting his back until he adjusted enough to his new surroundings and fell asleep.

... My Dad likes to tell the story of when he and my Sister picked Elihu up from the Foster Home - They drove up to the house and the front door opened - At least four Spaniels came barreling out, running towards them with ears flopping in a sea of liver and white...Elihu immediately stopped at my Father's feet, laid down on the ground and rolled over in a submissive pose - You see, Huey came from an abusive environment - It was clear he had been severely beaten prior to his rescue...His ribs on his right side bulged out from an obvious kicking incident and initially you could not even look at him without him cowering and raising his leg in a submissive stance.

Sad.

He was also, very, very - Er...How do I put this mildly - FAT - Oh yeah, and when he was rescued his hair was so badly matted that the Foster Home had to shave him - Here is what Elihu looked like on that first night in my apartment; chubby, shaved and unsure - But clearly thankful for his new surroundings - For those of you who do not know, the last picture in this set is of my Father:

So yes, his new life had begun and my Father and Sister drove the next day from Scottsdale back home to Chico where Elihu met his new brother and started his life as a Matray - My Dad loved this dog. I mean, he really loved this dog - Like Webster and most other foundlings, Elihu was not without his challenges...Have you ever heard that quote "We like people for their qualities but love them for their defects" - THAT was Elihu in spades.

Truth is, Elihu was crazy - As most Spaniels are...Here are a few highlights:

1.) My Dad came home one day to the house completely torn up and their two finches missing...The bird cage opened up like a party favor - In true bird-dog form yes, Elihu had broken the cage open, chased the finches around the house until he caught them and then proceeded to eat them.

2.) He would snatch box turtles out of my Mom's garden and take them out into the middle of the yard - The whole time tossing them up into the air and re-catching them in his mouth.

3.) He would hunt for field mice in my parent's garage and when he would catch them - Yup...You guessed it - He would eat them...Whole.

4.) He ate dog poop...His own, the other dog's - Did. Not. Matter...And he ate a lot of it - Nothing quite like seeing an animal defecate then turn around and indulge in a snack of his own feces.

5.) He was constantly breathing heavy - I mean, it was incessant...So much so that my Sister's Boyfriend nicknamed him "Eli-Vader" - Funny right? - Like a combination of Elihu and Darth Vader...The Force was strong with this dog.

... And in spite of all of this, he will be deeply missed - I still remember holding you down shortly after we bought you home and pulling out two of your rotted front teeth. When I was done you simply licked my hand in a gentle, unspoken "Thank You" - But...Perhaps it is us that should thank you, Elihu. I am so glad I found you and I am so glad you became a member of our family - However, the thing I am most glad of is the joy and happiness you brought to my Father.

He loved you very much...We all did.

And just like with Webster; we now have to say goodbye.

Here are a few more pictures of Elihu: