I want you to know a few things about being your dog for the past 13 years and I figured when you thought of me, you would smile. I was your one and only girl. The day you came to find me, you and that older brother Thomas saw me on a poster at the rec center. Admit it, you came for a black lab…but once you saw me, you two couldn't resist and I knew I "had you". Within a couple of hours, that boy was holding me as I cried my way "home". I just wasn't sure what life was going to be like at a new house, so I stayed within about 10 feet of the deck (even though you had a park for a yard), and you slept outside my kennel until I felt safe. Those crazy boys were young and active and I knew I had something to prove. You taught me that I wasn't allowed upstairs or my boys might have allergy attacks, that I needed to earn my keep by fetching the paper and helping to bring in groceries. I never once tried to eat anything out of one of those bags, knowing that you might get upset. I never wanted to disappoint you. The boys were busy, but you were somehow always there. Day in and day out we would hang out together, go for long walks and so much more.
You always had outside dogs, but I proved to you that I much preferred to be close to you. Remember when Dad built me a $300 doggie house and I never once went inside. He was convinced that building a house with a deck would convince me to spend more time on my own. HAHA! I always loved the times with my "boys" the best. By boys, I mean ALL boys: Cole (a special friend), Nate, Jordan, Chad, Carter and so many more. I used to run right along with them, play catch and keep away. Of course, I was best because I was fast. Dad soon discovered that I had a knack for playing golf and it quickly became our favorite sport. When I really needed a workout, we would go to the track and he would use his driver to hit the ball 100+ yards so I could sprint 200 yards at a time. I also discovered swimming and I know I had a glimpse of heaven the day you took me to the Doggie Pool Day at the rec center. I still had work to do.
Thomas left and went to college and goodbyes were never easy. I'm sure he missed me more than he did you. He always took his time with me to assure me that he would be back and he always came back. When I would hear his voice after months away, I JUST KNEW it was him. I would wrestle and jump and get so excited.
Then came Buzz…he stepped up and became my new best friend. Buzz was like my Dad #2 and he kept me in line when Dad #1 travelled. I would protect the house at all costs, and found my voice when the doorbell rang. I'm not sure why, but I just knew that it was good to woof when strangers came calling. You would hold me by the collar if you really didn't know the person so I could keep pretending to be tough. Inside I was thinking, "Don't do it, mister…or I may have to lick you". Whenever friends came over, you had to calm me down…I just couldn't help myself! I had to be sure they SAW me and that, if given the proper chance, they would certainly be wanting to pet me. I had occasional helpers, but I never once spent the night away from you or my house.
Then…we moved. I mean…seriously? What is happening here, Mom? I eventually got used to my new home, but we never had the same flow of visitors. I became your very best friend in Boulder. I knew what I had to do. I didn't need the big yard anymore and I kind of preferred my perimeter security walks in the smaller yard at night. I was a little worried when you "allowed" Buzz to live in the dorm away from me, but I knew he would be back. He was my constant companion and he loved me more than ever. I became great at homework and you even brought Cole back last summer for reading on the porch. I loved that quiet time to watch the squirrels and read. My girls came to visit every week and I always looked forward to that.
At the end, I still greeted you in the morning and, although I couldn't hear very well, I was just sure you still said, "Good Morning Lexie girl. You're my favorite!". I always felt loved and even got to jump on brother's bed to cuddle for a few minutes before school in the morning. Well, since I couldn't really "jump" anymore, you would give me a lift and I knew I had a short time with my brother. You would always remind me that it was, "only for special"…
I just want you to remember me by the hike we had last fall. It was about 3:00 in the afternoon and you just put on your shoes, grabbed the leash and we went all the way up Mt. Sanitas. You had had a hard day and you listened to your music, and we talked and prayed, and there wasn't a single person around. I knew that it was long and I was getting tired, but "I made it…we made it!"… and all was right with the world.
Today, after many battles, I went to be with Jesus in heaven. I know some people up here like Shane, and Grandma Paula, past doggie friends like Walter, Honey, Sugar and many more. I sent a super bright star tonight so you know I am safe…and I had the BEST life…and I'll always be in your heart. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Lex (your baby girl)
P.S. You were right…I was your favorite.
CoffeeTalkMom
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