Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Last Song

If you want to follow along then find "The Last Song" by Foo Fighters and blast it. Don't read the lyrics. Don't worry about what it means to you. Just blast it. And love the intro. Start it, and once you find the volume that you think might damage your ears but not your speakers, start it over because you want to hear the intro again that loud. Then turn it down a little because you feel bad because you're probably hurting your dog's ears.

It is important that you look at the cats during this process. Look at the cats so that you will know what it is to see an animal's face go from utter horror to complete indifference in a span of seconds and with no emotions in between. This is for your entertainment. Otherwise don't worry about the cats. Let them twitch their ears and look away. The cats don't matter.

This is the dog's time. You are doing this because you know something that no one else knows. You know that the dog loves to rock out. You know that she's a fiend on the dance floor. And this is her favorite song. You will feel self conscious. You will worry that the neighbors can see. But you will let the music take you anyway. For her.

This is the dog who used to growl at your solid teak rocking pig when she thought it was a threat to the family. This is the dog who forgave you for shooting her in the head with a rubber band on purpose more than once. Even after she asked you to stop. She who once ate exactly half of your $10 bill when you were 12 years old and the bank wouldn't replace it because otherwise everyone would cut all their money in half and double it at the bank, and $10 was a big deal back then and you were basically out $10, but dogs do that kind of stuff and you picked up her poop anyway because you loved her and because your parents made you, and you hoped to find the other half of the $10 bill while you were doing that but it didn't work out but that was okay. It wasn't ideal but it was okay. With a straight face she literally ate your homework one time like that wasn't the worst cliche, but it was kind of awesome because you actually got to use that excuse and stand behind it. It was okay because you would sit in the big recliner and put your feet up and she would jump up into your lap without asking even though she weighed 45 lbs. and didn't belong up there and neither of you would ever find a comfortable position, but you would both be comfortable anyway.

She can't work the CD player so it's on you to replay the song when it's over. And seriously go nuts or she can't get into it. Later on her hips won't be in such great shape and you'll have to make up a new definition for dancing because dogs can't be expected to dance on their hind legs forever (don't worry, your definition for dancing is pretty loose already). A while after that you'll think maybe it's better if you just keep the beat on her stomach rather than running her around, because she's still a good lookin' girl but she's also an old lady. However, and believe me I know this now, to get the full experience you are going to have to miss her more than you ever thought you would. You'll miss her when you least expect it, like when you get an innocent jonesing for Foo Fighters. Because she was a great dancer.

3 comments:

kauaiprincess said...

Nice. I missed her today when i was in the kitchen and no one was there waiting for the meat and cheese drawer to be opened. and when we come home and she's not whining at the gate. but not when I hear foo fighters. because i don't recognize that myself. that will remain your special connection. dancing.

Anonymous said...

Outstanding tribute. I may have you ghost one for Houdini when his time comes. If it ever does.

LF

Two Guns said...

Thank you, LF. That was a fantastically nice thing to say. But from what I've seen of Houdi, that's a big if.