Remembering Mike
Yesterday I received an email from Chris Lindell of the Colorado-based duo The Lindells. It was a “just touching base” email and a general hello. Chris and Kim were friends of my brother, Mike Strassman who died on July 1, 2007 of a meth addiction.
Chris’s email reminded me of a video that Mike had made when his first dog, Nuk died. Mike had used The Lindell’s song “Said To Me” that had appeared on their 1997 CD “Roam” as a backdrop to video clips of Nuk and Mike over the years.
I remember when he first showed it to us at a family gathering. It was such a beautiful film that really highlighted my brother’s love for his dog and of course her devotion to him. Nuk wasn’t that fond of me for some reason, but she stood by Mike and went everywhere with him. Chris and Kim’s song was perfect for this film.
Not too long after Nuk was gone, Mike acquired another four-legged friend whom he named Drake. She was with Mike when he died and had quite a harrowing experience courtesy of the Inyo County, CA Animal Control division.
Thankfully, Drake was rescued by Mike’s ex-wife, Jackie and now lives with her and is quite happy, though she (Drake not Jackie) is getting on in doggie years. Unlike Nuk, Drakey was a lot friendlier and even now when we go an visit her and Jackie in the Eastern Sierra, Drake seems to remember us and is happy to have us visit.
So yesterday, after getting the email from Chris, I got out their CD “Roam”, listened to “Said To Me” and had myself a good cry.
Miss you too much, little brother.
