Dear Tim,
I want to thank you for deciding that Nocci was not the dog you wanted for your 10th birthday. At the time, we all thought you were being a brat as you looked at the scruffy white pup perched in Papa Joe's arms and muttered,
"But I wanted a Beagle."
Which you did and had made quite clear for weeks prior. You wanted a Beagle that you could name Bagel. Bagel Bellomo. Papa knew you were right. And to be honest, I think Papa was counting on you saying that. I'll bet Papa saw Nocci and was defenseless against his impossible cuteness, further magnified by the fact that he had kennel cough and would wheeze uncontrollably. You show me a man who can leave behind a scruffy white pup with Bordetella bronchiseptica, and I will show you a man with no heart.
Yes, Tim, I think Papa knew exactly what he was doing, as he shrugged his shoulders, looked at the rejected pup and let out a very calculated sigh,
"I don't think I should bring the poor guy back. He could die, you know. Well... I guess I could keep him."
And with that sweet manipulation, began the longest relationship our family has had with any animal, ever. The era of Nocci.
Years passed by and Nocci never seemed to age. But as you know, the same did not go for Grama Mary and Papa Joe, though. By the time I started working at the animal hospital, I had made a habit of picking Nocci up for little week long visits. But, I always had to beg Papa to let me take him. Once I kept Nocci for two weeks instead of one, without Papa's consent. I don't know if I have ever seen him so upset with me.
"That's my buddy, you know!"
So when Grama had to have heart surgery and Papa said he needed me to take care of Nocci "just for a little while," I knew what that really meant and I knew how difficult it must have been for Papa to accept. He wouldn't have his little buddy riding around town in his Model A with him, or sitting by his side while he worked on whatever old car happened to be in his garage that month. From that moment, I decided that I would take the greatest care of Nocci. I would give him the kind of life that he had earned. He would eat the best foods, sleep in the warmest beds, and go on the longest walks. All of which he did and all of which he relished in.
Just as soon as Grama recovered from her health issues, Papa's began. Being Nocci's keeper meant that I was also responsible for making sure Papa got to visit with him. So for Papa's final year with us, Nocci and I made the trip to Simi Valley twice a week. It is the most special time that I can remember. Some of my most meaningful moments with Grama and Papa happened during these visits. I have to say, though, that everytime we visited I always feared that Papa would say that he wanted me to leave Nocci behind with him. But then, just weeks before Papa died, he was holding Nocci in his lap...
"Melanie, I want you to take care of my Nocci for me. I want you to keep him."
And after Papa was gone, everyday I got to look at this living, breathing reminder of him. I loved watching him become Papa's stand-in at family get-togethers. I think he really loved the way everyone would fawn over him, commenting on how handsome his haircut was or how good he looked for his advanced age. Nocci was finally being acknowledged for what he had always been. An AMAZING DOG.
We've all continued to give you a hard time for turning Nocci down, Tim. Even on Nocci's last day this weekend, Dad once again relayed the whole story, and we all got a good laugh in at your expense. But I hope you know, and I'm gonna tell you right now to be sure that you do, I have been so blessed by that decision you made at 10 years of age.
Tim, I got to take care of Nocci for 7 of his 17 years. I cannot tell you what that means to me. I cannot tell you how much I grew to love him. I cannot tell you what an impact he has made on me or how he has made me a better person. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have had a piece of my childhood with me in my adulthood.
But what I can tell you is how thankful I am that you wanted a Beagle. Thank you for making it possible for Papa to have a true companion. Thank you for giving me the chance to spend time with Papa before he died that I otherwise may not have. Thank you for giving me Nocci. I loved him so much. I miss him even more so. I cry for him like I have cried for family that have passed. Because he was one of us. He was the best version of us.
Nocci kept us all connected to a very special time in all of our lives. From the good, to the bad, and everything in between, Nocci was there for it all. And we have you to thank for it. Thank you, Tim. From the bottom of my heart.
