Tribute to Biscuit another Legend @ MHC

Biscuit; Legend @ MHC

May 24, 1996 – November 29, 2010

Courage – Fortitude – Caring - Special

When Herb Brooks was killed in a tragic car accident, I took time to document everything I could remember about our relationship. I spent about three weeks typing what I could remember. The writing went over 8,000 words.

Biscuit passed quietly away on November 29, 2010. I’ve asked Clairene to type up some memories and I will do my best to recount our life together and its meaning. I will always remember I was sitting in a Springhill Suites @ 0910 in Renton, WA when I received the text message fm Clairene that this precious dog quietly passed away. The text read, “I gave our girl many hugs and kisses fm both of us. She has gone to doggy heaven. I just got home. She relaxed and everything went well. No more pain.”

When I think of different people in my life, I have to include the dogs we’ve had over the years. You get this numbing feeling and then the emotions start to flow. I left the room, went down to the elliptical machine in the exercise room and called Clairene to talk about Biscuit’s last living moments.

I wanted to know about her body, eyes and demeanor. She had to have lived in a lot of pain these past few years without complaining one time; falling down and unable to get up @ times.

Biscuit spent her last moments on a blanket in Milton, FL @ the vet. She has been in arthritic pain for a number of years now and spent the last summer unable to go to the Camp because she was unable to walk up the steps. This alone was a sad moment because she has been a part of MHC for fourteen (14) years. She went every day for seventy straight days as well as days before and after. Her favorite spot was under Clairene’s desk away fm everyone but there was the odd camper she would gravitate to; especially around lunch and dinner.

She could always tell when it was Gringo burger day. She could smell the grill fm her place in the office and she got out of the office as soon as she could because she knew the cook would look after her. Many times that cook was me.

She would wander over to my desk when Clairene left the office or she heard the treats rattle in a plastic bottle. When she came to work each morning, the first thing she did was come and lay under my desk until I pulled out a treat. Once finished, she got up and moved to her favorite spot with the woman she loved as her keeper in the office next door.

She knew we were ready to go when the computer signaled that Microsoft Office was shutting down. She got up to go as soon as she heard the music. She could also tell when the phones were being call-forwarded and got up to leave then, also.
She had inner ear problems and always came up to see if you would rub her ears. She made you do this until you got tired.

I will never forget how scared she was when she was shipped fm Kentucky by our son, Dino. She came by plane and she had her dog cage that we had bought for the trip. Once out of that cage, she refused to ever get in that cage again. It still sits in our garage; brand new, one trip. Dino wanted us to have this dog and I was the one who pushed it. She was taken off the plane, put in our 94 Ford truck and she crawled in to a corner scared stiff. When we arrived @ our home in Lakeshore fm Minneapolis airport, she got out of the car, ran and hid under our neighbor’s car in the mud. I had to crawl under the car to get her out.

It took a while for her to get used to us but it wasn’t long and she was sleeping in a King sized bed every night of her life with us. She came up every night by our pillow, played a while and then moved down to the end of the bed. This was a ritual for many years. She always finished the moment with a kiss for each of us before moving to the end of the bed.

She would always let me know when she wanted to go to bed and I most always accommodated her; especially in her later years when I felt guilty being away all the time.

Then there was Chippy the little Chipmunk that liked to hang around our deck @ home. Chippy was always bugging Biscuit showing up chirping her fm most anywhere close to the deck. Biscuit would take after her and she would duck in a hole. All you had to do was say, “Where’s Chippy and Biscuit ears popped up and she was looking.

She could always tell when we were going church on Sunday. She acted different than when we put our coats on to go out. Once the coats were on she would go over by the treats and just sit there waiting until we got some for her.

She went to Clairene’s workouts up in the garage every morning that Claire went. She would lay there and listen for the Stairmaster to signal the end and then she would goof around on the floor with Claire while she was doing her exercises.

She knew she could wake you up by shaking her collar so she simply got up and then proceeding to wake us up to start the day. It didn’t matter when, she got your attention and I don’t ever remember anyone being mad.

We have two sunning chairs in Florida. She would come out with us. She would wait until one of us got up and she would be in your chair when you came back. It was usually my chair because she was used to sunning with Claire when I was gone. She wasn’t about to move, either.

When camp starts, it will be interesting to see what Luke and Pepper think. Who will finally take her spot under Claire’s desk in the office? The three of them found a way to hang around every day during the summer.

I will always remember our days in the boat together and how she would sense we were coming back home and go to the front of the boat. She did something similar each time we turned on to Birchwood Hills Drive. She could be sleeping and she would get up as we turned and start looking for deer in the road.

We are going to miss walking the grounds with her down in Florida. It is a twenty (20) minute walk around the property. She always hated to go because the little prickly plants were hard on her feet, but she came and all was fine once she got going.

Biscuit was a unique Lab, one who very carefully picked her friends. She was very difficult to get to know and we believe it stems fm how she was treated when born in Kentucky.

Biscuit was one you could never figure out. She reminded me of all the great coaches in the game. They are firm, fair, and loyal to their players and you cannot figure them out; they always keep you guessing. I liked her name because I’ve been shooting a “biscuit” since I was three (3)nyears old on ice rinks. She had the name before she came to us.

Dogs are an unbelievable prototype for all that unconditional love and respect stand for. They stand by you in all situations. They are there wagging their tail no matter what is going on in your mind or life. They epitomize the ability to get out of themselves and bring others in to their life. They literally force you to love them. What a unique skill; something any human being is capable of acquiring and a skill much needed in any locker room setting.

Can you imagine a sports locker room filled with the personality of a dog? There would be more love and respect in that room than anyone could imagine. Dogs unconditionally accept you for who you are and what you bring to the mix. They seem to recognize the unique skills you have and they respect you for it. They respond to any indication of love immediately and they have your back when you develop loyalty, trust and respect in your relationship. While not automatic, it is all there when you work @ it.

We loved her so much that we purchased a small RV called Born Free, Built for Two and Biscuit, to travel back and forth to Florida each year. November 16 to 19 was her final trip and she made the trip like a warrior, even though she was in great pain and struggled to get down the ramp we built for her to get in and out of the RV. She rarely came up between the seats this trip like she did so many times in the past. There were moments, though, when she thought we had some food to give her. She didn’t ask to get up in one of our beds like she had in the past. Something told us this would be her last trip.

I have to mention Clairene’s caring for Biscuit when it came to lotions on her body and cleaning her ears. She was diligent about it and Biscuit had an appreciation for it once the application was over. She treated her no different than she would a child or grandchild and Biscuit never left her side in all of their time together.
Biscuit is one who has taught me a lot about how life should really work. You had to be real honest to earn her love, respect and loyalty. While gone too much in my job, we had our moments where I knew she loved me; especially when she got up in the living room between 2100 and 2200 hours to remind me she would like to go to bed. I loved this yellow Lab. She will always have her place in my life. I will always treasure our relationship and life with her and Clairene.

We left Nisswa on November 16, 2010 in a Born Free Built for Two and Biscuit. We arrived in Florida on November 18, 2010. We are now down to a Born Free Built for Two without Biscuit, but Biscuit will always be remembered for the valued role she played in our lives. There will never a day when I will say, “She was just a Dog.”

Two great side stories involving two of our dogs, Buffy and Biscuit are:
More than once I came home, gone to sleep that night, woke up with my leg hangin off the bed during the night, and asked Claire if the dog could move over so I could have room. Her reply was, “What for, she is here more than you are.”

Another time I overheard her say, “Don’t worry Buffy, he will be gone in a couple of days and we’ll have more room.”

Claire sent the following fm her sister, Carol:

If it should be that I grow frail and weak and pain should keep me from my sleep.
Then you must do what must be done for this the last battle can’t be won.
Don’t let grief stay your hand.
For this day more than the rest your love and friendship stand the test.
We had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fear your want of me not to suffer..
So when the time has come to let me go.
I know you will see it is the kindness you do for me.
Although my tail it is the last wave from pain and suffering.
I have been saved.
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
Our memories I will cherish for all the years.
I will rest in Peace, my friend.
Love you always,

Biscuit

To: Biscuit

While sorry to hear about the passing of our beloved dog, we can sit and go back over the great memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who go through this type of traumatic time. No one can ever prepare us for the day we lose anyone in our life. The only thing that gets us through the moment is all the love and caring that comes from those around us; plus the fact we know she knows we loved her during her time on earth.

She passed away realizing we raised a great dog; one who was detailed in everything she did and one who cared about others before anything personal. This is the highest honor any dog owner can receive.

Our love will forever live with our dog, Biscuit.


Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps, 24621 So Clark Lake, Rd P.O. Box 90, Nisswa, MN 56468-0090 Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325
Email: chuck@mnhockeycamps.com - All rights are reserved. No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps