Steph's Mambo Memories

Matt always tells me I should post on the blog. If you're a regular reader you are aware of Matt's awesome gift of words. I'm not saying I'm a BAD writer but seriously. It's important to know when to step aside and let the master do his work.

That being said, I really do feel the need to just put down a few of my own memories and thoughts about our Mambo. PLEASE make sure you scroll down, though, and read Matt's post below this one.

As is the case with just about every person and dog that we are close to, we had an extensive list of nicknames for Mambo. (By the way, when we got Mambo, back in March of 2001 when we had been married for 9 mos. and Salsa was only as old, Matt lobbied to call him "Gumbo" to keep the naming dogs after food theme alive. I was so worried people would call him "Dumbo" that I refused. If you read Matt's post below, you'll see that that was maybe a bit prophetic.) Anyway, at various times you might have heard us calling him: Mambo Jambo, Jambo, Havvy (his breed was Havanese), Harry the Hav or Harry T. Hav, Harrison Fur (that was Matt's creation and pretty clever), Mambito, Bito Frito and probably about 10 more that I can't think of right now.

He was such a sweet boy. Really. As Matt says, not the brightest, but so sweet. He loved belly scratches and rubs and loved to be scratched under the chin and on his neck. Also, on his back under where his beautiful tail curled under.

When I was pregnant with Mari and so so miserable those last 2 months, I couldn't lay down in bed any more so I had to sleep on the recliner in the couch in the family room. Mambo always came down with me and kept me company. When our various kids were babies and I would be up in the middle of the night nursing them, he would often join me. Again, never too close, not really cuddling, but always there with me.

When I was working around the house, he would usually follow me from room to room. Salsa always wants to be right with me, touching me. Not so with Mambo. He was not cuddly. If I got him and put him on my lap to pet or scratch him, he'd sit patiently but then run away as soon as I stopped. Again, though, Mambo would always want to be in the same room.

On nights when I would would come home late for various reasons, he would be waiting on the living room couch for me. I loved that. Although he was not overly affectionate he would usually greet us with much tail wagging and sometimes, when he was really excited, one or two little soft licks (unlike Salsa), usually on my ankle.

His fur was the softest fur ever. Really. He had the best fur. One of the reasons I always delayed getting him groomed was because I just loved his long, soft fur.

But, as Matt indicates below, the past few months for sure, and honestly, the past year and a half before that, his body was giving out. Poor guy. He seemed pretty miserable in the end. But I truly feel that he had a good life with us. He came to us at 5 months old and we had the privilege of being able to take both dogs on lots and lots of trips with us. Mambo probably would've preferred to have not left home, but I know he liked being with us.

Oh and contrary to what Matt posted below, I DO remember Mambo playing with a few toys a few times. When he was MUCH younger, we had a little plastic soccer ball dog toy and he did bat it around occasionally. And I remember him trying to play with Salsa once or twice, but neither one of them had great social skills with other dogs so that never really worked out well.

Anyway, I loved him dearly and he is already very, very missed. But he is in a better place now. Matt and I were saying Mambo's Heaven is one where there are no faces and lots and lots of cheese, especially string cheese.

Steph