I’m a big reader, as most of you know, having the privilege of belonging to a very special library, with stacks you can roam that remind me of catacombs.
You just never know what you’ll find.
In one of my diggings, a book called…Assassination: Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy 1925-1968, a summary published in 1968, by the editors of The International Press, beginning with RFK’s final victory speech at California’s Ambassador Hotel, to when he’s mortally wounded…his funeral, first in New York, then taken by train to Arlington, laid to rest not far from his brother John.
The book, that I’m sure is out of print, made me want to don a black dress, since that’s how real it felt…like I was there, in one of the pews at St. Patrick’s Cathedral with my head solemnly bowed.
But what had me in tears, at the very end of this 272 page poignant chronicle, was Bobby Kennedy’s Irish Spaniel, Freckles, who was always by his side. 
He even alluded to Freckles as he joyfully addressed a crowd for the last time, asking his wife, Ethel, should we go get him, Freckles, asleep upstairs, in their hotel room.
When I read that he was at the gravesite, pulling on his lead trying to be near his master’s coffin before it was lowered into the ground, well…I sobbed…
for Man’s Best Friend, whose heart may break, even more than ours.
SB
I get more choked up with animals than with people. Anyone who treats animals right is a kind person in my book.
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That was a touching story. That photograph threw me.
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Awww. That’s a beautiful photograph. The love our animals show us is simply amazing.
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I know. They were always together. He took Freckles everywhere.
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I wish I could take my dogs everywhere.
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I know what you mean. That’s why I don’t have one. I’d never want to leave it alone. Bobby Kennedy was lucky. He even took him to work every day when he was attorney general. Freckles would be galloping behind him as he climbed the steps of the state department. There are so many pictures of the two of them. Like the political Timmy and Lassie. Sigh
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So sweet , so sad
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Even all these years later.
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The bond between humans and our canine companions has always been a source of intrigue to me . The faithfulness and purity of a dogs affections are so heartwarming . I had a German Shepherd , I got him at the age of 15 and had to put him down when I was 32 . A dark day . Little did I know that I would still have dream visitations of him still almost 33 years later , most recently about a month ago . It is so real when I see him in these dreams and as I rough him up and pet him it NEVER occurs to me that he is long dead . He was one of the best friends I ever had .
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Made me tear.
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Like a US Greyfriars Bobby, Freckles could not shed a lifetime’s worth of devotion. Such pain at parting! Smudge and I have that awaiting one of us. I sometimes wonder whether it’s all worth it. But then I remember “it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all” (Tennyson).
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Smudge is still a baby and you didn’t mention Lola, that four-legged vamp. Didn’t Tennyson pen The Charge of the Light Brigade?
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Smudge is twelve in August. It’s not clear which of us will outlive the other. Lola is three in May. She will definitely outlive me.
Tennyson did indeed pen “The Charge” but also “In Memoriam A.H.H.”
I hold it true, whate’er befall
I feel it when I sorrow most
‘Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
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I guess I agree with that though my heart begs to differ.
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Death and taxes!
Live every day like it’s your last and make sure your loved ones know how much they mean to you every day.
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Good advice…woof
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Susannah, this brought tear to my eyes. Freckles, or any other animal can’t understand what has happened. They mourn for the return of their master.
I never knew this about RFK. One of my aunts (the rich one) gave tons of money to his campaign.
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He’s a hero of mine. Have lots of books 📚 on him including all of his speeches and eulogies compiled in a special edition. If you Google him and Freckles the pictures are priceless.
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How could someone not tear up …. Freckles is just the cutest, looking so much like his master.
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You’re right. I never thought of that.
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The more I look at the photo, the more they resemble each other.
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Bobby had Freckles too…:)
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