A Lot To Say Today - My Friend Michael Larizza
This has been an eventful time for me and not all good … I need to use this space for a variety of things today … and in the end I had to break this into two weeks worth of posts …
I hope you all don’t mind, but I need to post this to the world and share …
I lost a good friend last week, someone who has been in my life for at least fifteen years if not more. Michael Larizza ran the kennel around the corner from my house. He passed away and Buddy and I will miss him terribly. So here is my tribute to a wonderful man:
December 1, 2006
Some people were put on this earth to impact other people’s lives. Mike was one of those people. He didn’t just love animals, he loved their owners. Mike wasn’t just a groomer or a boarder, he was my friend. Someone I called just to say hi; someone who gave me advice when I needed it. Someone who I counted on to always be there. I could go into detail about all the wonderful things Mike did for me, but the specific stories don’t matter. His wonderful, generous spirit did. One month ago, I said to him, “If something happens to me, I want you to take Buddy.” I knew I didn’t have to ask, I just knew he would. Just as I knew when I had to give up my beloved Maltese Spike, Mike would find him a loving home. Mike kept Spike and even turned away owners who lived too far away because he wouldn’t be able to check on him and know how he was doing.
He gave us one of his female dogs, Dylan, which was such an honor that he’d trust us that way. Then he took her back when asthma prevented my husband from keeping her. But he always made sure we visited with her and she remembered us.
Not a day will go by when I don’t think of Mike and miss him. Not a day will go by when I accept that he is gone. I just felt I wanted his friends and family and all those who loved him too to know how special he was to me. I loved him and I hope I added something to his life as well.
I know he is with Cowboy and Tyler and at peace.
This is my way of thanking him for being my friend.
***************
This next part is not a joke. This is also a tribute to … to Max, the Pot Bellied Pig.
George Clooney lost his beloved pet since the late 1980’s. I’m so sorry for him.
RIP Max.
**************
I’m sorry to be a downer today. It’s part of life I guess, and I need to let everyone know that someone special is gone.
Carly, what a beautiful tribute to your friend Mike. It sounds like he had quite an impact on your life - what a special man. Don’t feel bad about being sad - he was your friend, and you’ve lost your friend. That is heartbreaking. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Pets also are family, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a dog or a pig or a horse, we grow to love them soooo much, and their loss hurts just as much as a family member or friend - because that’s what they are, too. {{{{hugs}}}}
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 5, 2006 @ 7:26 am
I’m so sorry for your loss and please know your post has helped me with something I’m dealing with.
My 11 year old son skateboards (some of you may remember me laughing about taking my books to the competitions and the boys reactions to the covers). On Saturday night, a 10 year old that skates with my son - and always kicked his tail in competition - drowned. We don’t know what happened exactly, details aren’t very clear, but my 11 year old is having such a hard time dealing with it and I’m floundering to know how to help him (weird since I’m married to a funeral directory but in this case he’s too close to it to be able to really help, he’s struggling himself).
Your post has helped me to see that it’s OK for Grey to be sad and I can’t really do anything except be there for him, give him hugs as he needs them, remember Kane for the awesome kid he was and celebrate all the wonderful things he did.
Here’s a big hug to you, Carly. Thanks!
Comment by Jodie — December 5, 2006 @ 8:03 am
Carly, so sorry to hear about your loss. I remember how sad it was when you had to say goodbye to Dylan and how much it helped that Mike took her back so you could always visit.
And Jodie–how tragic about your son’s friend! I have an 11 year old and they definitely feel things very deeply, but don’t quite know how to deal with them. I think just constant love and reassurance is all you can really do.
Comment by Leslie — December 5, 2006 @ 8:33 am
Oh Carly I know how you feel I had to put our 18 year daushound to sleep just old age I cried for days she was such a sweet heart every one loved her
sorry for your losse too
Comment by sue — December 5, 2006 @ 8:49 am
I am sorry for your loss, he seems like he was a great friend. :love2: It is okay to have downer days, not everyday is roses and rainbows, that is what makes us appreciate the days that are. :present:
Comment by Kris — December 5, 2006 @ 9:04 am
Carly, my prayers are with you and Mike’s family right now. Your friend sounds like he was a wonderful person. Sometimes friends become a part of your family and it seems like that is what Mike was to you.
Comment by Liza — December 5, 2006 @ 9:59 am
{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}My prayers go out to you, Carly. I am so sad for your loss.
Comment by katie — December 5, 2006 @ 10:41 am
Carly, so sorry for your loss of your friend, and what a beautiful tribute to him……….sending prayers and thoughts your way for all…….((((Hugs))))
Comment by Cryna — December 5, 2006 @ 11:56 am
There is no good time to lose an important part of your life - I’m so sorry- I’ll say an extra prayer.
Comment by Barbara-Jo — December 5, 2006 @ 12:21 pm
so sorry and sory a bout george’s pig. losing anyone is hard and this time of year too. :love2:
Comment by kim H — December 5, 2006 @ 12:45 pm
I’m sorry for your loss Carly. I’m glad you feel you can share your sadness
here with us. Your friend Mike sounds like a wonderful soul. Where would we all be without real good hearted people in our lves and in the world. People like Mike are rare and to honor his memory is a tribute to both of you. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of what your friend’s life was all about. Mike is surely smiling to know he was so highly thought of.
Bless you Carly,
jeannie
Comment by jeannie — December 5, 2006 @ 12:51 pm
Hugs to you Carly, it is never easy when someone passes away. Mike sounds like a wonderful friend that will be greatly missed. One of my uncles passed away in August & I miss his daily emails. That is so sad the 11 year old boy drowned, very tough. Thanks for being the kind of friend that can share the sad with the glad. When someone you care about is no longer here it makes you realize how much we need to appreciate each other while we can. :love2:
Comment by Donna M — December 5, 2006 @ 1:15 pm
My sincerest condolences on the loss of a dear friend.
Comment by Pat L. — December 5, 2006 @ 2:18 pm
Carly I am so sorry for your loss hugs to you. I know what you are going through last week was a year anniversary for my friend Ralph. They say time heals pain, but it is always there no matter what.
hugs to you also Jodie
I know that feeling oh so well when my son was 5 I lost 2 brother in laws within 6 months and I had to explain to him at that early age that his Uncles and Godfather were in Heaven.
Comment by Cherylann — December 5, 2006 @ 2:23 pm
So sorry for your loss, Carly. This was a very touching post. :cry:
Comment by Heather Harper — December 5, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
Thank you all for your warm comments. Today was a bad day. I really appreciate all of you.
Comment by Carly — December 5, 2006 @ 3:51 pm
Jodie,
BIG hugs. The loss of a child … no words. Just be there for your son. I think that’s all you can do.
Comment by Carly — December 5, 2006 @ 3:51 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. Any loss is hard, but it is really hard when you are close to someone. My family is still reeling from losing my Uncle. He was only six years older than me, but at 41 and having a 4 year old daughter it has been extremely difficult. People sometimes look at me funny, like “Come on, he was your Uncle!” But what people don’t understand is he was like my older brother. He and his wife lived next door to us in a duplex for ages, we went on family trips together, holidays spent together. Whenever we needed something we called him, and vice versa. It is like a huge void now, the holidays are not the same.
But don’t ever feel like you or any of the Plotmonkeys can’t vent your sorrow or frustration here. We may be your readers and fans, but we know you are human. And by you sharing with us that just makes us like you that much more. Not to mention it will hopefully help ease your sorrow a bit to talk about it.
Comment by Kelly — December 5, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
Here is a link to a photo of my friend:
http://www.brianalvey.com/2006/11/30/michael-larizza/
and information on the charity he founded:
http://www.takethelead.org/
and
http://www.brianalvey.com/2006/12/01/take-the-lead/1#c1212467
Comment by Carly — December 5, 2006 @ 4:32 pm
I am so sorry, Carly.
Comment by Estella — December 5, 2006 @ 5:22 pm
Thanks for posting the link. I have a friend who is part of the Greyhound Rescue program in Arizona and I’m going to forward the link on to her. I think it’s something she would be very interested in. Also, thanks for the hugs!
Comment by Jodie — December 5, 2006 @ 6:19 pm
Jodie, back when I was teaching, one of my students drowned over Christmas break, if I remember correctly, when he was camping with his scout troop and a swelled river broken a bridge he was walking on. To this day, I still grieve for that wonderful young man that I didn’t know as well as I would have wanted to. I’m very sorry for your loss and for your son.
Carly, you know I’m here if you need me.
Comment by Julie Leto — December 5, 2006 @ 7:09 pm
Carly- I am so sorry about your loss. It doesn’t matter if it is a relative or friend or pet- any loss hits hard and we all know it takes time to grieve.
I bet that when he arrived at the Rainbow Bridge, there was a whole bunch of happy puppies just so excited to see him!! And yes, I do believe that they are all up there waiting for us to arrive.
:doggie:
Comment by ev — December 5, 2006 @ 8:17 pm
Kelly, uncle, brother or friend or pet - anyone in your heart is a loss that matters. Hugs to you and your family too.
Comment by Carly — December 5, 2006 @ 8:31 pm
Coming in late, but what a moving tribute — not a downer at all, Carly — really wonderful to know there was a person like that in the world. It feels sad now, but I’ll bet you have lots of happy stories to remember. My mom would say that God needed a little help taking care of the animals upstairs, and he wanted the best. (hugs)
Sam
Comment by Sam Hunter — December 5, 2006 @ 10:04 pm
Hi Carly. My husband Brian posted that photo you linked too. What a nice tribute you posted about him.
We have been really close to Michael for the past 8 years. He was such a wonderful guy. We got our first Cavalier from him 4.5 years ago and he gave us her litter mate Tara’s puppy two years ago. In fact we are adopting Tara since she is family
.
I can’t believe he is gone, we drive by the kennel every day and every time my 3 year old points out “Michael’s house.” It just seems like a very bad dream.
Comment by niki alvey — December 5, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
I’m sorry for your loss Carly. Reading this post has helped me feel not so alone in dealing with the loss of a couple of pets. A little over a month ago I had to put to sleep my 14 yr. old cat. He only had 3 legs and was a diabetic and he was my baby. I miss him so much. Last Wednesday, exactly a month later, my 17 yr. old cat died. I was getting ready for work and I walked in my room to check on him and he was laying on my bed hardly moving. I immediately started trying to get in touch with my vet but before I could get him on the phone, my cat had died. I am having an easier time dealing with his death than my 14 yr. olds. I guess it is because I had to make the hard decision to put him to sleep.
I don’t think it matters if its a person or a pet that dies. It still hurts and you miss them a lot.
Comment by Claudia — December 5, 2006 @ 10:59 pm
Thank you for your kind words. It’s so comforting to know Michael touched so many lives and for me to be able to read how. It is really weird that you commented on George Clooney’s pet Max passing away. Did you know that our family thinks Michael looked like George and was often mistaken for him by the public? Even once by Tom Cruise on a Manhattan street. Maybe Max is Mike’s new pet. What a wonderful thought!.
Comment by Mary Jane — December 6, 2006 @ 1:32 am
Alex asked me to post his thoughts and his thanks to everyone:
“After 22 years working in the same room, you get to know a person well. When the news of Mike’s death hit me, all of my focus was on the future of his dogs because I knew that is what Mike would worry most about. I knew he would want loving permanent homes for the dogs he considered his family. There are many different types of homes: houses, apartments, trailers etc. Mike’s home was the kennel. Because of Mike’s unique home, his dogs had very special needs. So many people offered to give Mike’s family homes. I know all these offers were made from the heart but I had to choose homes that were a perfect fit for each animal and his or her personality and needs. As of today, I have found homes for almost all of Mike’s dogs. Almost every dog placed went to someone who already had a dog from Mike, so I know the home and family already had his approval. It is a great honor to have one of Mike’s dogs. But there is no shame or embarrassment if I turned down an offer to give one of Mike’s pets a home.
Now that the future of Mike’s dogs are well on the way to being secured, I can start to think of mine. Luckily I have no deadline. Mike and his family and the landlord want me to continue Stonybrook Kennels. I want you to know that your dogs will always be cared for the way Mike wanted. The same level of safety, comfort and happiness will always be maintained. No one can come close to Mike’s skill and talent as a groomer but your dogs will be well loved and taken care of in the way Mike would want.”
Alex
Comment by Carly — December 14, 2006 @ 6:50 pm
Carley - you dear woman! I know how you feel - unfortunately. I love a dear friend also very recently. Still feeling the shock, the grief, the whole gamet of emotions.
Thank you for your loving tribute to a loving friend. There is a special place in Heaven for animal lovers.
Take care, Girlfriend!
Comment by Karen — December 15, 2006 @ 12:52 am
Today, August 21, would have been my brother Michael’s 48th birthday. Our hearts are still heavy and our minds are still in disbelief. It is comforting to know that he was very much loved by so many. He will always be in our heart and in our memories. My brother is finally at rest. He is still with us. Look for the signs. Peter Framptons song “Baby, Show me the Way” is a way that Michael lets me know he is watching over me. I hear that song at least once a day!
Comment by Gina — August 21, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
Hi again to all Michael’s friends. My sister and I are now driving his 1989 black Mercedes. We had special plates made in his honor. They are NY plates that say TKTHLEAD. If you see us driving, please honk your in memory of my dear wonderful brother!
Comment by Gina — August 22, 2007 @ 12:04 am
I was a friend of Mikes and although very close (he was Godfather to my first child, Allison) we lost touch. I have just found out today that he died. It must have been fate, since it is his birthday. I had moved out to Ohio from NY and with 2 small children and a bad case of Lymes disease, my visits to NY became less frequent and our calls less often. I am in NY now and had planned to surprise Mike the way I use to, by just showing up at the kennel where I knew I would always find him. I feel such a loss and such guilt for the time passed without talking to him. I loved him very much and I know he loved me. It is truly a great loss to all of us that he is gone.
I am so glad Alex is stepping in. When I heard the news one of the first things I said was what happened to his dogs… for he loved them so. We use to joke that when his beardie ‘Copper’ died that we would have him stuffed and keep him at the kennel so he would always be there with us.
Even though I didn’t see him as often, I will miss him and still never stop remebering my friend.
Comment by Vicki — August 22, 2007 @ 8:46 am