Jumping in the deep end: Back Again.

It has taken me two months to write this post, but early in the morning on November 18th my 13 almost 14 year old puppy died. Because today is her birthday, I will honor her by writing about how her. I am grateful to have gotten to spend my part of my life with her.
You never know how much an animal will mean to you when you first get them. It is like any relationship. You are so excited to meet each other and learn about each other that you forget that there will be a day when you have to say goodbye. And goodbyes are never fun. Goodbyes are filled with tears, regrets, memories, and uncertainty. Will I ever see them again? will they have a safe journey? was I a good friend?
Two months have passed and the tears still fall for my constant uncomplaining companion.

In the case of my puppy it was a final goodbye to my childhood and youth. Not that I am old, but so much of my life has transformed while she was a part of it. During our friendship, I was a newlywed, went through 3 long deployments and many little ones, had 5 children, moved 3 times, bought a house, renovated a house, and innumerable other things. A lot has changed and I am a different person today than when I met her. What a joy and comfort you were dear puppy.

Ah, the day we met,...I remember it so well. I had spent the last two months reading dog books. I needed to figure out what type of dog would be a good match for me and learn how to train a dog. I decided on a lab or a golden retriever because they are good "family dogs" and are easier to train- a bonus for a novice. I then spent a weekend looking at litters of puppies. I did go to the Hawaiian Humane Society to find a dog, but the only retriever was not good with cats or children. Instead, I walked away with a kitty who still sleeps on the edge of my bed today. The next day I met my puppy. She was 5 1/2 weeks old. She was a great big ball of fluff and I loved her immediately. I remember rocking her in my arms that first night, It was a beautiful star filled night and I took her outside to "get busy", then held her and rocked her to sleep. She was so tiny.
A few weeks later she met her "boyfriend" and despite the fact that she got along well with others dogs, she had a special bond with him that lasted for their lifetime. I could say his name and her ears would perk up. Here they are playing.

I took her with me everywhere. We drove honey to work and picked him up, went to the beach, and the pet store. She was so good at riding in the car. She would sit in the passenger seat with her head on the stick-shift while I drove, that way I could constantly pet her. A win for both of us. When I didn't take her with me, she always met me at the door. Often she would bring me my shoes. I still expect to see her every time I open the door.

Of course with the additions of children in the house, her life changed. But I think she just loved having more people to give her attention, and of course all the food they dropped on the floor was a bonus!

A special bond of love.

Probably the one who fed her the most "fallen" food.

Rolo takes a snooze on the most comfortable pillow in the house.

Puppy meeting the newest family member.

During Snowmagedon 2010

Despite the fact that she was a Hawaiian dog and loved the beach and the water. She LOVED the snow even more. She would roll in it and jump and frolic in the snow. I am glad that her last winter included the record breaking snow last year.