It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost one year since the tragic death of the larger-than-life Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. It was my teenage son that called me while I was on my way home from a Labor Day weekend vacation to tell me that he had died. It was very shocking to us both. How could such a genuine and remarkable father, husband, and defender of all animals have died so young and in such a tragic way? Steve Irwin was an enormous personality and seemingly untouchable by such an ironical fate.
I just could not fathom how it was possible.
And it’s not as if I had known Steve personally. However, Gus grew up watching his show, and GR and I were loyal followers in the early years of Steve’s rise to crocodile stardom and to becoming the great conservationist that he was. For the next few weeks (and months actually) after his death, I became obsessed with watching The Crocodile Hunter shows and scouring Australian news websites soaking in all of the stories that I could find about his life. Steve’s death affected me on many levels, and I’m still not exactly sure why. And my main concern was how Steve’s family would cope without their great force of nature.
I could almost feel the gut-wrenching pain that Terri Irwin expressed when she talked about Steve’s death in her interview with Barbara Walters. And I could hardly bear to watch 8-year-old Bindi, Steve and Terri’s daughter, make a heartfelt speech about her beloved father at his memorial service. Steve cherished Bindi Sue, his first born. She was named after his favorite crocodile, Bindi, and his beloved dog, Sui.
I have continued to follow the Irwin family through their Australia Zoo website and monthly newsletter. The family continues to live on their property at the zoo and have vowed to carry out Steve’s plans of expansion. It is a zoo that I hope to one day visit. Bindi was introduced to crocodile wrangling at a very early age, and she has inherited her dad’s strong personality and his innate way with animals. She and Terri have a show together, Planet’s Best with Terri and Bindi, televised on the Animal Planet. Bindi also hosts a show that she was developing with her dad, Bindi the Jungle Girl, televised on Discovery Kids. The family seems to be carrying on Steve’s conservation efforts and plans to the best of their ability.
Just six months after Steve Irwin’s death, my little Jack Russell Terrier, Abby, passed away. I was devastated. At that point, I had never had anyone close to me die (animal or otherwise), so I was not familiar with that level of grief. It felt like a sucker-punch to my body. I was stopped in my tracks not wanting or knowing how to move forward, and only wishing that I could move back. I was numb and looking for a way out of a nightmare.
That previous September, I had TiVo’ed Terri Irwin’s interview with Barbara Walters, as well as Steve’s memorial service, and for some reason I had never erased them. So, I began watching them again. And while I had felt shock and sadness before, it was this time that I really began identifying with the real pain that the Irwin’s must have been feeling. I know that they lost a father and husband, and I only a dog, but in my life? Abby was my little force of nature. And much like Steve, she also had a personality larger than life. And in some strange way, identifying with their grief helped me deal with my own.
Nevertheless, it’s been several months now since Abby passed away, and while we still miss her every day, GR and I feel that we are now ready to bring a new puppy into our home. I have conveniently forgotten about the puppy piddle and poo that I will be cleaning up for the next several months, as well as the 2am whinings to go outside. We are ready for a new little friend. Actually, this new little friend:
This is Bindi Sue, and we’ll be picking her up from the breeder in a little less than a month.
Crikey! She’s a little beauty, eh mate?!
Bindi Sue is so cute! She’ll bring so much love and happiness to your home!
What a cutie! I know she will never replace Abby in your heart, but there’s always room for more love.
Bindi Sue! What a cute name for a cutie of a dog. I love her expressive eyes and noble stance.
It’s overwhelming when you recognize just how much your pet means to you. Earlier this year, my German Shepherd Molly found a cat in the bushes (happened to be MY cat, which is not prey unless it seems that he is running through bushes scared out of his mind because he’s an INDOOR cat) and when my husband came upon them, Molly was shaking Boo. I was sure his back was broken and I died a million deaths over the next hour or so until the vet said, “Miraculously - no broken bones or internal injuries.. just shock and a slice in his tail and 2 little marks on his underside.” Seems most of the blood we saw was from where Boo bit Molly’s tongue and scratched her nose.
I quit griping about the cat litter for almost a month after that! And I can’t believe how I’ve set myself up with 2 dogs and 2 cats that someday will break my heart when they go… but they are more than animals - they are friends and companions…
And they are so cute and funny when they are pups and kittens! You’re gonna have so much fun (in between cleaning up those puppy pees and poos, of course)!
What a doll baby! I know she is going to keep the Lulu household on its toes! Can’t wait to meet her!
What a darling little girl she is. Puppy’s don’t cry if you sleep with them. Jack is sleeping through the night.
I’m SO sorry for you other loss. I lost Jackson my big black cat that thought he was a dog..it’s been 4 years, I still miss him.
What a lovely tribute! I think it’s lovely that you’ve named your baby Bindi Sui too. What a precious baby! If you lived near us, Pugly and I would be happy to puppy sit.
Like you, I of course never met SI, but when he died I was absolutely devastated-I prayed for the family constantly and probably for the first time considered how it would be to be in Terri’s position. It was unfathomable. It’s is so beautiful to see the way they have soldiered on and continued Steve’s work.
In any case-Im terribly sorry about your little Abbey dog-and the new pup looks adorable…I bet the wait seems so long!
puppy, i love bindi the jungle girl, i saw her on regis and kelly. oh deputy is starting training school. i want to meet bindi i will squeeze her and hold her and kiss her and call her george
I love the symbolism of your new dog’s name(and you know I’m all about symbolism-My TT for this week-Thanks for commenting by the way)
I remember the day he died also. My husband and a bunch of his friends were going golfing for the day. My brother came over and told us-I always knew him as the Croc Hunter so when he said his name I wasn’t sure who he was speaking about. Then it hit me, I could not shake the gloomy feeling for days. Especially because his death had nothing to do with the crocs and was such a freak accident.
Enjoy Bindy Sue
I remember being very touched by Steve Irwin’s death as well. I never was all that big a fan of his show, but his conservation work was admirable.
I love the fact that he named his daughter after a crocodile and a dog, and now you name your new dog after this little girl. Talk about coming full circle. You don’t have any plans to add a croc to your pet collection, do you? ;o)
That puppy looks adorable, by the way.
I’m feeling with you about the loss of your old dog. It’s a damn shame that dogs only live such a short time. I have lived through the deaths of 3 beloved dogs and always was devastated again. You never get used to it. My Jenny is 7 years old already and I don’t even wanna think about her death in a few years.
But on the other hand, what would life be without a dog by my side?
I think I’m in love with your new addition. I just melted, I think.
Congrats (almost) on your new arrival! However, I’ll warn you that my folks forgot all about that puppy pee and poo until about, oh, Monday night approx. six hours after they brought their new puppy home. But they ARE so very cute, lovable and loving. The puppies, I mean.
Oh Bindi Sue is so cute - both the girl and the canine. Life as a DogMa is so much fun, don’t you think?
I am more partial to Steve’s friend Wes. He’s fine. Bindi’s eulogy to her dad - made me cry so hard. I’m getting misty even thinking about it.
I’m sorry about your loss, it’s so hard. We had to put our family dog down a little over a year ago and I still miss her so much. I know the grief you speak of, even now.
But it’s ice to have that spark of life again and Bindi Sue looks like she’ll bring just that to you and your fmaily. As I’m reading backwards, I already know she has!
Omygosh, that little doggie is ah-dorable!! I love her!
i am so sorry i am sad to he was my favorite person i bet you will fell better