.
.
Growing up in the hill country of Austin Texas, I was the oldest of five kids.
I had two sisters, two little brothers, and my dog, Fred.
By the time I was 15 years old, I remember how important personal space was to me.
So, I decided to tear down the old chicken shack behind our house in the country and build a woodshop, mostly out of scrap wood. It wasn’t that big; maybe 10×16 with a storage shed off the back.
.
.
The best part was the 10×10 second floor loft which would be my drawing (escape) room.
.
I worked during the summers as a carpenter’s apprentice and fell in love with woodworking. It was as if I had finally found my purpose; a way to keep my mind busy, my growing body in motion and burn off teenage angst.
This was the beginning of my woodworking journey.
The Woodshop would be my space. A place where I could make things or I could just hang out with my ol’ dog, Fred and listen to the radio.
I made this Sun face in high school woodshop class.
I remember as a kid, I spent a lot of time with Fred exploring the woods and creeks by our house.
He loved to hang out with me as I built the shop, worked in the gardens or did my chores.
Fred was a beagle/ hound mix and in fact, was a girl. I was around 5 years old when I got her. Having two sisters and a mother, (no brothers yet) I decided we had too many girls already.
So I named her Fred.
Fred always wanted to be with me no matter what. We lived on Lake Austin where “he” – just go with it, I was only 5 yrs. old, would follow us after school down to the lake to swim or go fishing for blue gills.
He was always there. We were inseparable.
One day in August, I remember it was so hot, I had my shirt off while working on the framing of the shop.
Fred was laying in the shade on the deck next to his water bowl. He was panting hard as he looked up at me with this sad, tired face.
So I put my skill saw down and went over, sat down beside him and asked, ”What’s up buddy…is it too hot? Wanna go inside?” He wagged his tail a few times and licked my hand as I played with his ear. He liked that.
We sat there together for awhile with his head laying on my leg. I stroked his side as I looked up at the 2×4 walls and softly talked to him. I told him it wont be long before the walls are finished, there’s going to be a work bench over there and a room upstairs with a big drawing table and a bed in the corner, just for him.
He had stopped panting and seemed content, like a child falling asleep.
and then… he slowly came closer and laid down in my lap, gave a big sigh and died, right there in my arms.
This was my first experience with death. The thought that he would be gone some day had never entered my mind. Fred was always there. Tore me up like nothing before.
Many things changed that day.
It’s been many years since that day I buried Fred under the woodshop. I know, if I ever went back there to visit, I’d imagine him there waiting, tail wagging, ready to go to the lake or just hang out in the shop with me,
.… He will always be there.
.
Fred was my first shop dog, my buddy, my best friend.
-- mark - Grayslake IL.
25 comments so far
keithglass
home | projects | blog
3 posts in 3019 days
posted 11-23-2012 10:24 AM
Nice house and surroundings. The whole environment looking very green.
RTA Cabinet
BillyJ
home | projects | blog
253 posts in 4211 days
posted 12-02-2012 02:15 AM
Mark – that’s a very toughing story. Not only are they a great friend, but they become a confidant.
Nice work on the sun!
-- No matter how many times I measure, I always forget the dimensions before I cut.
J
home | projects | blog
70 posts in 3150 days
posted 12-07-2012 08:56 PM
I’ll second Billy’s sentiment – touching indeed. I would take a job in a cubicle if it meant my dog could have more than his natural healthy life intended. My dog is like underwear, during the day he right next to me, sometimes irritatingly close. At night he is on the floor next to bed.
-- I found the board stretcher... finally!
LynnVega
home | projects | blog
1 post in 956 days
posted 07-18-2018 11:19 AM
This was a very interesting read and the quality essay help review recommended me your blog for easy reading and I am so glad it did so as I wanted it.
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 07-14-2020 05:37 PM
I can set up my new thought from this post. It gives inside and out data. A debt of gratitude is in order for this profitable data for all,.. Custom Embroidered Patches
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 08-01-2020 08:48 PM
I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing. embroidery digitizing services
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 08-08-2020 11:49 AM
Extraordinary post, you have pointed out some brilliant focuses, I also trust this is an exceptionally radiant site. iluminat exterior
rhys234
home | projects | blog
479 posts in 414 days
posted 09-06-2020 06:16 PM
https://www.code9rs.com/best-watches-for-nurses/
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 09-08-2020 10:10 PM
Wow i can say this is another extraordinary article of course of this blog.Bookmarked this website.. Toronto Security Guard Training
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 09-12-2020 03:07 PM
Wow what a Great Information about World Day its extremely pleasant instructive post. a debt of gratitude is in order for the post. Tavor TS12 for sale
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 09-12-2020 03:15 PM
Wow what a Great Information about World Day its extremely pleasant instructive post. a debt of gratitude is in order for the post. Tavor TS12 for sale
robinjack
home | projects | blog
172 posts in 245 days
posted 09-14-2020 10:49 AM
In fact, the best thing about this film is how excellent it is as an epic quest film instead of how hilarious it is. [url=https://www.riadtile.com]cement tile shop[/url]
robinjack
home | projects | blog
172 posts in 245 days
posted 10-01-2020 11:44 AM
Only wanna input on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the written content is rattling superb . [url=https://www.e1-holding.com/en/city-of-aachen-real-estate-price-analysis-and-aachen-real-estate-forecast-2030/]seriöse wertermittlung mannheim[/url]
robinjack
home | projects | blog
172 posts in 245 days
posted 10-01-2020 11:45 AM
Only wanna input on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the written content is rattling superb . seriöse wertermittlung mannheim
robinjack
home | projects | blog
172 posts in 245 days
posted 10-06-2020 11:17 AM
I liked the article, Ill be back to read more of your blog later =) The Linq at Beauty World
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 11-09-2020 07:58 PM
This one is great. keep doing awesome!.. houston embroidery service
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 12-02-2020 11:35 AM
I am unable to read articles online very often, but I’m glad I did today. This is very well written and your points are well-expressed. Please, don’t ever stop writing. tree base klear
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 12-16-2020 11:19 AM
Decent post mate, keep up the considerable work, simply imparted this to my friendz biomethod hair products reviews
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 01-13-2021 05:22 PM
A debt of gratitude is in order for setting aside an ideal opportunity to examine this, I feel unequivocally about it and adoration adapting more on this point. In the event that conceivable, as you pick up aptitude, would you psyche upgrading your online journal with additional data? It is to a great degree supportive for me. Product Reviews
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 01-17-2021 04:13 PM
Awesome things you’ve generally imparted to us. Simply continue composition this sort of posts.The time which was squandered in going for educational cost now it can be utilized for studies.Thanks security agency Shrewsbury
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 01-22-2021 02:59 PM
I can’t envision concentrating sufficiently long to research; considerably less compose this sort of article. You’ve beaten yourself with this material. This is incredible substance. Free downloads
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 01-22-2021 03:05 PM
Really decent post. I just discovered your weblog and needed to say that I have truly delighted in searching your blog entries. After all I’ll be subscribing to your food and I trust you compose again soon! Technology blog
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 01-22-2021 03:06 PM
Very useful post. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. Really its great article. Keep it up. Tech Blog
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 01-22-2021 03:08 PM
This was a truly incredible challenge and ideally I can go to the following one. It was alot of fun and I truly had a good time.. Beauty Tips
jackmen
home | projects | blog
1074 posts in 241 days
posted 01-22-2021 03:09 PM
I can set up my new thought from this post. It gives inside and out data. A debt of gratitude is in order for this profitable data for all,.. Beauty Products