Creature Feature – Memories

Over the course of my life, I’ve had the privilege of loving several pets, and some of my earliest memories include animals. My childhood dog, Snoopy (vintage photo!) was a smart, feisty fella. He was also my best friend. Snoopy lived for 18 years, so we shared lots of grand adventures together. 

We used to ride down our neighborhood’s long, sloping sidewalk in a red Radio Flyer wagon. Snoopy sat eagerly in front, between my knobby knees. Five decades later, I can still recall the thrill of building speed and the rhythmic sound of the wagon wheels as they passed over the sidewalk cracks, “Clickety-clack-clickety-clack…” At the bottom of the hill, I’d get out, pull Snoopy back up to our driveway, climb back in, and off we’d go for another ride. Joy!

Snoopy was often right in the thick of things when the kids on my block were in high gear. Whether it was sleigh riding, snowball fights, tag, wiffle ball games, or enjoying dripping ice cream cones on what felt like endless summer days, he was as much a part of “Our Gang” as Petey was to the Little Rascals.

One Christmas Eve, our family came home from Midnight Mass to discover Snoopy had ripped open our presents under the tree. Spittle-soaked shreds of wrapping paper and chewed gift boxes were strewn across the living room floor. Naughty dog — but we still laugh about it all these years later!

Whether looking back on special times or making new memories, let’s be grateful for the wonderful pets in our lives.

Article & photo by Margie Manthey