My buddy and me
I don’t know how to put our time together in words, but I want to try.
Well, buddy, 14.5 years. You had a good haul. Your first family had to let you go through no fault of their own, and we thought we wanted a puppy, a newborn, but then we saw you. And once we got to meet you, it was over. It didn’t even take 2 hours before everyone thought you were ours since birth. Our bond was instant, unbreakable, and forever.
We had to leave you just 2 weeks later as we had a trip to Italy planned. We got back and we were so relieved that you missed us! You were so happy to see us you didn’t touch the ground for 2 hours.
We went to Savannah for St Patrick’s day just a little after that. We realized how much more amazing you were on that trip, meeting new people, and a puppy and you just took it all in stride.
You loved your mommy so much I was sometimes jealous, but we had our special moments, and our love was just as strong. I felt so much better having you here to be her protector and friend while I was out of town so often during those first few years. I still remember how you snuck into the bedroom and got on the bed to comfort her when she didn’t feel good ending our “no dogs on the furniture” rule. Now I don’t know how I will ever sleep without a dog on the bed. Oh, and you snored, stole the covers and often pushed me right out of bed, aaaaand 3am is not a good time to need to go outside to pee. But I’d rather that than miss you as much as I do right now.
And I’ve never slept so hard as when you laid up against me, warming my body and soul.
You were such an amazing big brother to MJ, and I don’t know how you held on so long without her, and now I don’t know how we go on without both of you, but we will. And even though you haven’t been quite yourself, you knew how badly we needed you and held on, and you never let on how hard it was for you, and so we tried to do the same for you today.
But bro, it is hard.
But you deserved our mercy and our understanding, and it was right.
And just.
And loving.
You were the first comfort Linnea had when she moved in. She went from a screaming
hysterical mess to asleep under the table all because of the 50 pound wookie fluffball
who sacrificed his space and his attention and his life all so that she could start over.
I remember how your protected mommy and knew the difference between any other truck’s sound and my truck’s sound.
I remember you herding girl scouts, knocking them down and telling me how good you were because none escaped.
You caught a wagon with a baby in it, and pulled our neighbor off a bicycle.
You traveled to the mountains with us, and then ran them.
You walked up a waterfall, and kept all the kids safe on the path even though you had only just met them. And you made 100 friends that day, and a group of girls all wanted to take you home, or to university.
You slept one off in an Oktoberfest tent.
We walked 100s of miles of beach together.
We tried to run together, but you tried to herd me, so that was a nope.
You were the best soccer defender I ever encountered.
Loud movies were our thing, but they often scared you and you just wanted your mommy when that happened. You really doted on her, and she on you.
How many lives DID Green have?
You almost took out a tree while airborne, but realized it wasn’t intimidated by you.
You made every dog park yours, and every dog you encountered knew you were the boss, except MJ, you let her do whatever she wanted. Always.
You snuck every single tennis ball you found into the house….and sometimes into our bed.
Shepherds pie, a rack of ribs, a full turkey, wrapped chocolate bars, and all the goodies from a Christmas party all met their match with you.
Oh, and don’t worry, pal, I will find all the popcorn that escapes and clean it up.
You took a hot dog from mommy’s hand as you ran by her at full speed. And it took her a minute to even realized what happened….you later repeated this with Linnea when she wouldn’t eat her bagel.
And that one time a sheriff’s deputy didn’t arrest a thief was when you took the blueberry muffin he turned away from, because Dylan also runs on Dunkin!
We shopped together and you were always the center of attention.
We remodeled a bathroom, two bedrooms, an office and the kitchen together. Who will help me now? You even went to Home Depot and Lowe’s to help me get the stuff mommy liked and I couldn’t remember.
And let’s not forget you met every technician and melted their hearts at Beaver Toyota.
You calmed those that needed comfort, and showed love everywhere you went, and yet you could light up a room or bolt with energy no one knew you had, or had ever seen anywhere else.
Kids were your weakness. You loved them all and were so patient. They pulled your fur, took your toys, slept in your bed and yet, you loved and protected them.
You chased cats, kids, me, turkeys, squirrels, deer, bikes and everything else that moved.
You were a chick magnet. And you loved them because they all needed to know not all boys are jerks, and some have big fluffy hearts.
Your nub was perfect, and your coat is eternal.
Your smile is infectious.
Dog, you are “my dog” forever.
I knew I needed and wanted a dog in my life, but I had no idea you would take up residence in my heart and never leave it. We were told Aussies are “Velcro dogs,” and you proved it; you were a literal second shadow, a 3D one I could trip on, knock into and also confide in, trust and be completely me around. You are an Australian Shepherd. You lived a life of love and protection, like a good shepherd. You walked me to the door every day, and you knew when I’d be home and met me at the door and if I took too long to come inside you cried and moaned to remind me to get inside faster. If mommy or I wasn’t home, you knew that, too, and paced the whole time waiting. Nothing made you happier than having your “herd” together and safe, and you always kept us and made us feel safe.You saw us through so many trials and tribulations, never judging, always faithful and patient. You never told me I was wrong, even when I was, and you never held it against me, either. It is no wonder Jesus identified as a shepherd, and I know he welcomed you home, and said “well done, good and faithful servant.”
I love you, buddy, and I will see you soon.
I can't stop 