Seven Short Stories Featuring My Friend “Doc,” Story #2

Dave Wells enjoys a beer at Greasewood Flat. Photo courtesy of Dave Wells.

Dave Wells enjoys a beer at Greasewood Flat. Photo courtesy of Dave Wells.

The Burial of Tiger Wells

By Dave Wells

Shortly after Nancy & Dave Wells moved to Arizona in 1992 with three dogs, namely Rudy, Brandy, and Tiger. Tiger, a 17 year old Yorkshire Terrier, was beginning to show his age, and the painful decision was made to put Tiger down.

A few weeks before, Marge had very kindly suggested that when Tiger leaves us, Tiger could be buried in the Greasewood Flat Pet Cemetery. So, we called and Doc and he said he would meet us at the pet cemetery. When we arrived, we saw that Doc and Anticoleta had dug a six foot grave for our beloved Tiger. Tiger only weighed seven pounds.

Doc suggested that Dave carry Tiger to the bottom of the grave in a metal casket. Dave did that, but before he could climb out of Tiger’s grave site, Anticoleta started shoveling dirt back into the grave which quickened Dave’s ascent to the top.

As he was laid to rest, Tiger proudly wore his GMDC (Trade Association) name badge. The badge bore the inscription, “Tiger Wells, Executive Vice President, Dave Wells & Associates, Inc.”

Outside bar at Greasewood Flat. Photo courtesy of Dave Wells.

Outside bar at Greasewood Flat. Photo courtesy of Dave Wells.

As the grave was being filled with dirt, one of the Mayor’s (Stan) friends was walking a short distance away, and hollered over. “What’s going on Doc?”

Doc responded, “We ‘re burying Tiger.” The lady in short shorts and cowboy boots screamed, “Oh my God, a tiger!” Doc assured her that “Tiger” was the name of a small dog.

Several months later, Doc had taken it upon himself to have a beautiful metal headstone made for Tiger with his name and all. A great gesture by Doc. To this day, when you visit the Greasewood Pet Cemetery, there is a remembrance for Tiger Wells in the form of a headstone made at the Cavalliere’s Blacksmith Shop in Old Scottsdale.

 

Related Articles

Seven Short Stories Featuring My Friend “Doc” – Published March 30, 2015 – Provides links to all articles in the series that have been published.

 

Author: Dave Wells

Dave Wells is retired and lives in Memphis, Tennessee. He received his B.B.A Degree from the University of Mississippi. After working as a sales executive at Schering-Plough Corporation for 31 years, he retired early to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1992 for its beautiful weather and competitive golf. Dave has written numerous magazine articles on golfing experiences and his memorable days in Arizona before he returned to Memphis in 2002.

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