Julia Oesterle (Summer 2001)
I was four years old when my brothers, mom, dad and I went to get our first family dog. We went somewhere in the rural countryside, outside of LaGrande, Oregon. There were two cheerful, nippy brownish red puppies left; the runts of a large litter. Somehow, one of the two chose us. I think it was the one who licked my brother Steve the most.
Upon returning home, we jumped into the task of naming our family puppy. Being a little girl, recently enchanted by the story of Peter Pan, I was in love with the personage or more fitting, the "fairyage" of Tinker Bell. And so, in a moment of enthusiastic, heartfelt adoration, I explained, "Let's name him Tinker Bell!!" I was greeted with stares, laughter and a brotherly scoffing. "You can't name HIM, Tinker Bell!!"
I fell silent. My heart was broken. I adored "him" and I adored "Tinker Bell." Why were they laughing at me?
And then they named him "Zeke." What kind of a name is Zeke? I had never heard such a name, but by that time, my heart and mind had closed to the whole scene.
Years later, when I remembered so clearly my sadness, I asked my mother about Zeke. She still cries about Zeke. Zeke actually became her dog. They were like best buddies, who adored each other. Zeke grew up to be a large hound dog, part golden retriever and part black and tan hound. As an adult, I could see the humor of my wanting to name him Tinker Bell. A Tinker Bell he never was, though he did have great heart and loyalty.
Many more years passed and I told the story to my daughter Briana. Upon hearing the story she responded, "That's you Mommy -- a hound dog named Tinker Bell. You are kind of like a hound dog, but you have these mysterious, sometimes hidden Tinker Bell qualities." Homecoming Queen and Plumber in one being. I guess that is why I really like Martha Stewart. Hey, she can do ice sculpture using a chain saw and make a room beautiful and comfortable. Martha, did you ever have a hound dog?
Copyright © 2001 Julia Oesterle