Gather ‘round, folks. It’s time to listen to another one of my “Tales of Woe.” This one may determine if you have a soul or not? If you cry, soul. If not, no soul. It’s pretty simple, really. I’m kidding. Maybe. Somewhat.
So, long before I got into rock climbing, I was blessed with my pup Hamlet (yeah, yeah, I know, I am a theatre kid first and a climber second). He was never a crag dog, but he came into my life right when I was starting to be “active.”
You see, you may not know this from me now, considering my handle is @chubbygirlclimbing , but in the past not only did I not climb, but I was…well, to put it bluntly, a lazy bastard. Like, that girl you see in P.E. that cries after a quarter mile run kinda lazy.
To be fair our P.E. classes consisted of cup stacking and square dancing, so maybe I can blame the physical education in Texas more than my lack of athletic ability. I’m going to go ahead and do that, in fact. To protect my ego. Please support me in this. You have no choice, actually.
As I grew older, it became clear that I was going to have to make some changes. A lot of my lack of activity was psychological. I was shy and embarrassed easily. I felt stupid exercising where anyone could see me. So I picked up a very solitary sport. I started running. Very slowly.
During one of these runs, I saw a man jogging with his black lab. But his running buddy was not merely by his side but barking at the man to go faster. With every bark the guy would sprint a little harder. This dog was not only man’s best friend but man’s best coach. Now, if I had that, I would go from a “chubby girl running” to “fine hottie that could maybe pose for a fitness magazine or something.”
I would get a dog. I would train that dog to train me. Genius plan.
Who I ended up falling in love with was a golden retriever runt that couldn’t even go on a full walk before stopping in his tracks right in front of me and begging to be picked up.
This was fine. He was still small. As he grew, he would start to run. But, not quite as enthusiastically as that black lab.
Hamlet was an interesting dog. He didn’t have that normal golden retriever smiley disposition. This may have been my fault for dubbing him after a possibly mad/definitely depressed/debatably maniacal Shakespeare character.
Despite his somewhat morose personality, he did grow into quite the adventurer. He would only get despondent if things didn’t totally go his way. Once, when I took him to Lake Tahoe, he chased some ducks out into the water. He could never catch up to them, of course, and upon realizing how far he went out (i.e. not that far at all), he decided to let the lake take him rather than making the swim back. I had to go save his ass.
Oh shit, now that I think of it, Hamlet may have actually taken on my personality…
While on one of our jogs, he decided to bound in some little muddy river, promptly got stuck, and gave up on life. I had to save his ass then, too.
He never quite got the hang of barking at me to run faster but having Hamlet in my life did push me to do more. If I missed a run, he missed a run. So, I had to go out and run. And I never wanted him to lose out on an opportunity to soliloquy when I forced him in life vests and took him kayaking, or forced him in backpacks and took him hiking, or forced him in little booties to protect his feet from hot sand. He could never walk in those damn booties.
When I started climbing, I always imagined that once I got good enough to lead outside, he’d be there at the crag like the other dogs, but way more concerned than the other dogs, because “Excuse me but what the hell is this, what are you doing? I’ll have you know I am a dog but I am judging you silently from below,” is definitely how he’d feel there (and there’s nothing he’d love more than to judge me).
Unfortunately, I was a little too slow on that front. Hamlet passed away last month at the age of fourteen. It was very sudden; he went from healthy to not overnight. Luckily, my family and I could be by his side.
I know people are dealing with much worse than losing a dog right now. I know he was old, and I know I had to, and did, make the right decision when the time came to let him go. But all the adventures feel a little hollower without him beside me, or at home to greet me. My old friend witnessed me make a lot of changes. His memory will always mark those years that I became more active, more confident, started climbing and treating myself better.
So, hug all your crag pets extra tight for me this holiday season. I’ll miss having that little weirdo’s eyes on my life, but I’m so glad I had him for the time that I did.
“Goodnight, sweet prince.”
thedihedral.com 
So sorry. It sounds like he had a fun life with you and you have good memories.
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🐾😢🐾 So sorry for this.
Very nice post, glad to hearing that you was by his side.
I really do not looking forward to that day, my dear King Kenny had his 2 years birthday this week..
RIP Hamlet 🐾
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Awwww this one is cute and humorous pictures !!!
He was adorable 💗💗
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You’re not supposed to make us laugh AND cry! And I’m at work!
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This made me laugh and cry at the same time. Thanks for sharing and the illustrations.
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I can imagine him at the first snowfall of the year.
“Now is the winter of our discontent!”
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Hahaha when it snowed in Texas in 2018 that line was all over his face!
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Hey girl 😕
As someone who has lived her whole life, and by that I mean 60 years, with dogs as my companions, I absolutely get how u are feelin rite now 😪.. each time I have to say goodbye I vow never again cos that heartwrenching pain and that awful feeling of emptiness.. in my life n in my home is just too much to go thru again. Yet the longest I’ve managed is 4 months.. my dogs are my world, they never stab u in the back, there’s no hidden agendas, they are faithful, loving, friends & teachers: loyalty, patience, friendship, forgiveness, gratitude, tenacity- all learnt from my dogs. ( if ur not a dog person u just won’t get it) yet they ask so little of us in return; food, exercise & belonging (bein part of the pack). I’m unashamed to say that I’m cryin for u rite now, cherish your memories babe, u were blessed with a loyal loving friend, how lucky u were eh?
My boy Silas is now comin up to 6 and occasionally that thought will creep into my head the “how will I cope when the time comes?” But I wouldn’t change any of it, all my 4 legged friends have enriched my life more than I can say… and I kno I’ll do it again. Grieve your friend 😪😪😪 but remember all the joy & laughter. Life is bittersweet hun, sending u a hug x
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It’s funny you say that because I’m definitely in the “I’ll never have another dog again” stage…I can see that’s probably not going to end up being true. ❤ Thank you!
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Peace to you. LOVED the story. I feel you. I lost my 14 or 16 year-old-beagle last month.
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So sorry for your loss too. ❤ Thank you
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I take my Shepherd mix Bella with me hiking. She often leads the way looking back repeatedly as if to make sure I’m still there and to encourage me to keep going.
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I think the loss of an animal is devastating. What a beautiful and funny tribute to your best bud expressing your love. They love us unconditionally and humans can not do this. We lost our little Gizzy a few months ago. An organization called lap of love sent a vet out and we were on our porch with our baby. We were able to feed him his favorite treat while he relaxed and then was snoring without pain. We felt blessed to be with our doggie, dear friend also. I think one of the worse things about COVID is people being separated from their loved ones. I am giving our other dog a hug for you right now. Bless you and your memories. Love ❤️ Joni
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So sorry for your loss. What a sweet way for your baby to go, surrounded by loved ones and at home where they’re comfortable. Thank you ❤
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I’m crying. I cry whenever the dog is hurt or dies. Dogs are the best. They’re better than us. Can’t imagine life without them.
This isn’t Shakespeare, but it is Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
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I love that quote! Thank you ❤
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Ugh. I’m bawling! I know how quickly our seniors can go. I have already lost one of my own golden’s – actually – 11 years ago this coming week. I know that pain. As quirky as they are they’re still our buddies and there’s nothing like a fur-bud. So, six weeks, after our first rescue passed, we got another – a puppy-mill rescue golden. Eleven years this January and we are still madly in love; she’s mine & my hubs’ heart.
What a beautiful story – thank you for sharing it with the world! (and I’m gonna go scratch my 11-year-old’s butt right now even though she’s asleep).
*hugs*
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Hamlet sounds like he was an awesome friend.
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Rest in peace, sweet Hamlet!
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I’m so sorry for your loss! Beautiful story you told us. He was such a beauty!
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Hamlet was absolutely Gorgeous,Yes, you made me smile and then cry.❤ I will hug and cherish my babies even longer today. I have to dogs who are my world.13yr old golden shepard and a 11yr old maltipom.
I have lost 3 other dogs in the past so I know how it is.
Once your heart heals a bit…go out and save another precious dog❤
We make their world wayy better , and they make our world Beautiful with their love.
So Sorry for your loss.♡
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I love that cartoons❤️
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Losing a pet is devastating, my condolences to you. Thanks for sharing this sweet story of Hamlet with us, with humor and grace. I love your drawings too, btw.
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Oh my, you are a great story teller and I began today in tears.
I’m sorry Hamlet is no more, he sounds like a great dog who had a good long life.
I do love your stories and illustrations that go with them.
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