Goodbye Olympis, World's Best Grand-Dog

OLYMPIS, World’s Best Grand-Dog
1998 - 2010
Crossed the Rainbow Bridge Yesterday

In 1998 my future son-in-law's cousin said her dog was having puppies. My daughter, Sarah, and Paul drove to Lafayette and looked at the puppies. They left with a cute, little Chocolate Lab bundle. Sarah and Paul were 20 years old. Paul had always wanted a dog, but had never had one.  They argued over names but settled on Paul’s pick, Olympis. He was the sweetest puppy. Paul lived in a refurbished 100 year old shotgun shack near the college in Natchitoches and he made a fenced-in area for the dog on the side, but as a puppy Olympis stayed in the house. Paul took him outside every two hours to potty train him, and he was trained in about a week. They spoiled him rotten and before too long he outgrew living inside the house.

A year later they decided he needed a friend. Approaching his teenage years (in dog years) they learned that was a mistake. They adopted Apollo, a feisty Black Lab, who turned out to be a troubled teen. Paul and Sarah were engaged and planning their wedding for just after graduation from college. Paul had just got accepted into LSU medical school, and one day they drove to Shreveport to look at a house to rent.  They left Olympis and Appollo outside in the little fenced-in area. 

And here comes our favorite family dog story ever:

They got back home to Natchitoches late that night and pulled into Paul’s driveway. The gate was closed but the fenced-in area was empty. No Apollo and no Olympis. Apollo had a habit (due to the fact he was very tall) of jumping the fence in the middle of the night and Olympis would “bark” him home.

Well, they drove around that night all over Natchitoches hollering out the window “Olympisssssss!” They drove along Cane River, not far from Paul’s house, and were calling the dogs.

They ran into a man by Cane River who told them, “I saw those dogs....Yeah, they swam clear across the river and it took them so long to cross that by the time they made it to the other side the dog catcher was waiting for them when they climbed out of the water over by Front Street .” That sounded right because Olympis knew he wasn’t allowed in the street so wouldn’t cross the Front Street Bridge, but rather swam across Cane River instead!

Sarah and Paul drove to the dog pound which was closed and peeked into each little kennel. There the dogs were, busted. They went the next morning and bailed them out. I think it cost about fifty bucks. Soon after they had to give away Apollo. He was just too bad of an influence.

Olympis then shared all the momentous occasions of their lives:  their marriage and the births of their two children. He was a gentle dog, never snarled or even showed his teeth at them or either of the kids.  He will be missed by Sarah and Paul, 31, Mary Mace, 6 and Warner, 3 and by all of his extended family members. 

Goodbye, Olympis.  You were the World's Best Grand-Dog and gave us many wonderful memories and stories.  We'll see you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

Blessings,

~Marion~
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The Rainbow Bridge
Author Unknown

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
 
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....