Butch, My First Dog

Butch was my first dog. I have no idea when or where my parents got him. All I know is that he is a part of my earliest memories. He was my buddy. I remember many times of sitting on the steps of the front porch with him beside me. He’d follow me around everywhere. I loved him. The only photo I can find of him shows it too. See the smile on my face as I’m looking at him?

Butch was a happy-go-lucky hound dog. His only mischievous side was digging under a neighbor’s fence when their dog was in season. He was a champion at getting under that fence. Those neighbors would get so angry. I can understand why now. Back then I thought it was funny. Well, it still is in a way.

Butch loved to chase rabbits. He’d look out the window and get all excited when he spotted one. My dad would get him riled up too. Then he’d open the back door for Butch to run like crazy to get to the rabbit. He never caught one. One of my dad’s favorite story is when Butch went running and the rabbit didn’t move. Butch ran right past it and into the woods. My dad laughed over that for decades. He’d get so tickled by it each and every time he told the story.

We would have a Christmas present for Butch every year. My dad would wrap up some hamburger meat and put it under the tree. Then we’d let Butch sniff out and get his present. It was a highlight of Christmas morning. I don’t know which one of us enjoyed it the most.

Something happened to his tail. There is the possibility of it being broken however I’m not sure. We had to have it cut off. It healed up fine and then he would wag the little nub of his tail. My first dog taught me how things can be alright after a terrible circumstance.

Losing him was very sad. I really don’t know what happened. He was old. One day he wandered off into the woods and never returned. I think he knew his time was coming to an end and went away to die. I kept looking for and calling him for a long time. Then I realized he would never come back.

My first dog brought me so much happiness. It could not stop with him. Things were just not the same without a dog around the house. My parents decided to get another one and so the story continues with Rowdy.