For the Love of a Dog
A Heartwarming Story of Devotion and Remembrance
Rich Myer vividly remembers his family’s introduction to Ogie, their Lab.
“We got him at eight weeks, and my intention was to hunt him,’’ Myer said. “But he never turned out to be that dog. He just didn’t have it in him, genetically didn’t have it.”
Instead, Ogie wove himself into the family, the kind of dog who loves his way into memories and stories. If you had an Ogie, you know. If you didn’t, pray you do someday.
Now Ogie rests in a duck-decoy urn.
Ogie’s Journey
Ogie was such an important part of our lives,’’ Myer said. “He was a wonderful companion. When we got him, the kids were 9 and 7. They would ride him like a horse.’’
But Ogie wasn’t a hunter. Rabbits gave birth in Myer’s backyard in Des Plaines, and Ogie would keep an eye on them.
That gentleness is remarkable, considering the background of his name.
Ogie died April 29 at 12, but he needed to be properly remembered.
Myer had Ogie individually cremated and waited about a week to get the remains back. Then he sent them to David Ludington.
A Proper Goodbye
What a custodian,’’ Myer said.
As Ludington did the work, he sent photos of the progress. After about three weeks, the work was complete.
The only change Myer made was to take the keel — which held the name and birth and death dates — off the mallard decoy, so it would sit level on Ogie’s proper resting place on the mantel over the fireplace.
A Legacy of Love
“He still sits in our family and watches over us,’’ Myer said.
In Memory
Visitation for Dr. Kenneth Brock, the great birding expert of northern Indiana (‘‘Birds of the Indiana Dunes’’ among other works), will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at White-Love Funeral Home in Chesterton, Indiana. I was blessed to tap into his knowledge over the years.
Illinois Hunting
Pheasant, quail and rabbit seasons open Saturday. . . Youth hunters harvested 4,057 deer during the youth deer-hunting season Oct. 12-14.
Youth fishing
Carter Pjesky of Sugar Grove was one of 47 to receive honorable mention in the 2024 Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team.
Stray cast
Mel Johnson is to bowhunting what Shohei Ohtani is to baseball.
File photo of the late Mel Johnson, who arrowed the world-record typical whitetail buck taken by a bowhunter on Oct. 29, 1965, at a show appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the story about?
A: The story is about a family’s love for their dog Ogie and how they chose to honor his memory after he passed away.
Q: What is the significance of the duck-decoy urn?
A: The duck-decoy urn is a unique way to honor Ogie’s memory and provide a sense of closure for the family.
Q: Who is Mel Johnson and what is his connection to the article?
A: Mel Johnson is a renowned bowhunting expert who arrowed the world-record typical whitetail buck in 1965. He appears in the article as a comparison to Shohei Ohtani, a professional baseball player.
