Ode to Swoope

I was entrusted as the keeper of "Swoope" in 1984 by US Army Specialist 4th Class Carney when he left our unit in the spring of 1984. Carney lived across the hallway in our barracks at Lucius D. Clay Caserne in northern West Germany. Carney, who is black, named "Swoope" after a fellow black soldier who I went to basic training with and who ended up in my same unit in Germany. The human "Swoope" (last name)  had the biggest lips in our artillery gun battery and so 
Carney found it appropriate to name the monkey "Swoope".

I first cared for "Swoope" on a shelf at my home, but in 1990 "Swoope" found his permanent home on the dashboard of my 1979 Ford Econoline 250 with body extension. I've repainted him a few times over the years as the sun has beat on him mercilessly. His head used to bobble around, but the bobble part broke down...old age or something. He used to wear a little sombrero that I picked up in Mexico back in 1985, but that deteriorated sometime in 2000 I believe. He needs a new paintjob and head covering which I'm having trouble finding. I'm trying to find him another one of those mini-sombreros. Please, all you animal rights nuts do not email me about my treatment of  "Swoope" as I'm very sensitive to the situation.

Me and "Swoope" have been best buds over the years. We talk a lot. I've known him longer than my wife. We will probably be buried together.