Honouring Rufus and Fabio
Last weekend saw the UK’s picturesque Peak District host the 8th Annual Schnauzer Walk. It’s always a great event, kept simple and focussed. A fun gathering of schnauzers, their friends and families with a decent walk from Dovedale to Milldale. Two beautiful villages set in outstanding scenery.
When living in the UK, we took part and enjoyed it for three years. We camped with friends and used it as a way to socialise first Susie-Belle and then Twinkle. I have many happy memories of those weekends. Memory is powerful and this year I felt a strong pull to be there with our friends. It couldn’t happen for various practical reasons, but I’ve vicariously soaked up the fun from hundreds of social media posts and messages from those who were.
As photos began being posted on Saturday, one family caught my eye and their story is poignant. It captures the deep bonds and friendships that all of us who love our dogs share. Hearing the details, I was moved greatly by their reasons for being at Dovedale, despite not having a dog walking with them this weekend.
A few months before the walk in 2018, their schnauzer Fabio had died. They intended taking his ashes to Dovedale to scatter, with their other schnauzer Rufus. But, on the day, their car broke down just outside of Dovedale. This meant they were unable to complete the walk as planned, scattering beloved Fabio’s ashes a little later.
They wanted very much to go with Rufus this year. Enjoying a walk in Fabio’s memory, was important. However, events decided differently as Rufus sadly passed away a few months ago. This utterly heartbreaking loss meant the family never managed to have a last walk there with Rufus.
So, this weekend, after making a last minute decision to join everyone in Dovedale, Rachel and her family walked in memory of Rufus and Fabio. Two much loved, and deeply missed family members. While they may not have been seen by anyone at the weekend walking the trail, I’m certain that both dogs were there, alongwith every memory shared of their life together.
Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?
Mary Oliver, Dog Songs
