Gerald the Hero

Oh, dear, dear Gerald.

Sweet, intelligent Gerald.

You died before I could meet you.

You belonged to my grandparents, who cherished you, loved you. You were always the smartest, the fastest, the bravest-- except you were always afraid of staircases...

My grandma keeps telling me about how, when you, as a puppy, crawled into her bed and had a little accident. Ohh, that still makes me laugh so hard.

You were a German Shepherd, a handsome one at that. Haha... even if you were big and buff, you were still terrified of the neighboring cat... Gramps and you used to go to the hospital and entertain sick children with your terrific jumping skills... You used to protect my mother every time a hooligan came near... I remember how Grandma told me how you tore the seat of the pants of the drunk guy... that makes me warm, that you-- a powerful dog, would defend our family.

One day, when Grandpa and Grandma left... you ran away, answering the call of the wild... and never came back. I just want you to know, Jerry, we love you.

Your name sounds like "hero" in Russian.
That's what you are, Jerry. A hero.

We love you...

We being... Mary, Michael, Ila, Olga, Michael JR., Pina Colada, and everyone else who loves you.

Have fun in heaven... hope they don't have any staircases there, buddy.

Just kidding.

Send us a bark now and then.

We miss you terribly.

Maybe someday you'll come back.

Someday.

Until then, I'll be satisfied with seeing your special star outside my window everynight, Jerry.

Until my eyes hold you again.

As Colada used to say: "Ciao like cilantro."

Good bye, my friend!

Mary Petrova