Rusty, I'm sorry about your loss. I have lost several of my good, very great, pals over the years. It has never been easy. I do have many stories to tell about each one so the memories are never far away.
Just this morning, I went to a job where I had to mow, blow leaves and put down grass seed and fertilizer. There were a couple of trucks in the driveway and i knew it was probably carpenters or painters. The home owner, one of my very favorite customers, is having the house painted and putting in a porch extension where I had removed and transplanted, elsewhere, several very large rhododendrons. I decided, before unloading my equipment from the trailer, I should walk in and investigate to see if I should, or should not, do my thing today, or wait.
As I rounded the corner to the back of the house where the work was being done, a tall young man came over and introduced himself to me, giving only his first name. I told him I am Tinker. "Didn't you used to plow my Grandfather's driveway?"
"That all depends on who your grandfather is," I replied.
When he told me, I asked if he was still alive. He has been 39 for even longer than I. It turns out he is 89 and still going strong. The last time i had spoken with him, his wife had been diagnosed with cancer, so I asked about her. "Oh she is still around and very healthy as well. She still goes for exercise two or three days a week."
They are really fine people and the grandfather was one of the very first people I met when we moved to Wilton back in 1945 (Hey, I'm only 39 and i will stick to my story :

) He and his brother owned and ran a diner in town. One of my favorite hangouts in the day. For now, i reminisced a few stories with the grandson. The story i liked the best, and will always be dear to my heart, as it will always be with my wife and children is about a gift the man's grandfather gave us shortly after my wife and i were married.
The two of us were just stting down to dinner when the phone rang. At the other end of the line, my friend Bob was asking if i would like a puppy. Bob was into raising English Setters as a sideline and hobby. I knew he had a good breed line and he sold his pups for some pretty high prices, too high for my pocket anyhow. I went along and discussed his proposal. When i asked how much he wanted for the puppy, He replied, "Just take her. She is the runt of the litter and i won't sell her. i know you like dogs and she will have a good home."
I told my wife and after a very short discussion, she agreed to take the dog. That puppy was our first baby. Our daughter came along several months later and eventually, a son joined the family. That puppy stayed with us for eleven years, whelping a couple of surprise litters along the way. She loved to rough house with me to the point i had no sweatshirts with full sleves. She knew that the children were a bit more delicate and was the most gentle a dog could be with both of them. One time, our son ran across the room and dove onto the dog. The dog just groaned, got up and moved to another spot on the floor. I never had to explain to that dog that she had to be gentle with the children, she just knew. I did explain to my son that he had to be responsible and gentle with animals. i did not have to punish him, but he never did something like that again.
I have many other stories about the little dog, about 1/3 the size of a full grown Setter and almost pure white. She was such a gentle dog except when she played with me. Any one seeing her go at me might, if they did not know and understand dogs, might get the idea she had a vicious streak in her. Thru the years, I often told my friend, Bob, and his wife, how much we enjoyed the dog. I named her "Buzzy" as we had been asked to take her after hearing the phone buzz.
Oh, BTW, i had forgotten about something I knew about the grandson and did not mention. After plowing my friends driveway for many years, and mowing his lawn as well, one evening he called me to tell me he no longer needed my services. I really did not mind as he told me his granson had just bought a jeep with a snow plow and he was going to take over the job. I should have remembered that so i could tell the grandson i have been mad at him ever since. i guess it's good i didn't remember. the man is twice my size. Oh well, i don't have time to tell all the stories i remember. [unsure]
Rusty, I hope you find another "pal" soon
Tinker