River

One day you came into my life.  I wasn't really looking for you, at least that's what I thought.  I wanted you to bring some joy to a certain someone who is very special to me.  I knew getting a dog would bring him happiness.  He had been asking for a while.  I went looking for something not knowing what I would find.  But I knew that day, I would take someone home with me.

 

Do you have this breed?  I asked.  I had a breed like you one time before, but that's another story for another time.

The young lady said, we do.  So she took me to meet you.
 

You came out of that little dog house (too small for you I might add) and you looked at me with those big brown eyes almost as if you were asking me if I was there for you.  You were so sickly and skinny and I thought you may not even last.  Why would I risk taking someone with me that would probably die in days?  Or Someone who would surely cost me money in medical bills?  But you came to me and put your head under my hand.  You picked me and all of a sudden I felt so lucky.  Then you looked at me again and I knew I could never leave you.  You won me over in the first 5 seconds of our life together.  That's more than I can say for anyone I have ever met in my life.  This I swear.

 

I told the lady you were coming home with me.  As I was about to pay for the adoption fee, I was told I needed cash.  So I rushed to the nearest ATM and barely made it back in time.  I can only imagine the heartache you must have felt as you saw me leave.  I hope you felt relief when you saw I was back.  I was upset they had taken you back to that smelly cage instead of waiting for me.  But I was happy knowing I took you out of that hell.

 

It was Valentines day.  And after the whole surprise was over and done with I started to worry.  You were a responsibility and I didn't know if I was up for it.  I thought I could find you a good home if it didn't work out.  The thought of returning you came up, but I knew I couldn't do that.  So we agreed to keep you for a few weeks and see if we could handle it.  If not we would find you a better home.

 

The first weeks were so taxing as you were very sick and depressed.  Your last family left you behind and I am sure you were heartbroken.  But I was not about to give up on you.  I was determined to give you the best care and attention until you came back.  It took us about 3 months of medicine and nurturing to make you bounce back to life.  We even adopted a puppy to keep you company while we were not at home.  You would take care of each other. 

 

As your sickness and sadness tapered away, we started to really know you and as the days went by I began to realize how amazing you were and how lucky we were to have found you.  I couldn't understand how anyone could leave you behind. I was and am still jealous of those people who got to spend more time with you.  Who got to know you as a baby.  I wish I would've been so lucky.

 

All the little things you did, even your every day annoyances were something special.  The way you always begged to jump into the bathtub and your obsession with water.  The fact that you only liked to drink water out of a spout.  The way you wailed and wagged your tail so hard when you got excited.  We would always refer to your tail as your Godzilla tail.  It was loud as you would bang it on the floor; and heavy and fast at the same time when you were standing up, so much so that you took out objects in the way of it.  Our other dog Rory has always been out of control but he learned to respect you.  And only when you would allow it he could mess with you.  He also got slapped in the face with Godzilla more than once.  Funny thing is, it never seemed to bother him.  He'd just flinch.  He loved you so much.  We all did.  And we know you loved everyone you came in contact with.  You were just so full of love.

I know people own dogs and they come and go for some. And you came at a time I didn't really want a pet.  You won me over almost immediately with your outstanding personality.  I mean it when I say I never met a dog like you.  You were great.  And even though I now have to go through the heartbreak of losing you, I don't regret a thing.  I only shared 1 year and 4 months with you and dammit I wish it would have lasted longer.  I know I'll never find another soul like yours.  I hate coming home and not finding you at the door wagging your tail like crazy, happy to see us.  I hate coming down the stairs and not see you at your favorite spot... your daddy's couch.  I hate that you will not be there at our next get together.  How you loved those parties and the ribs.  You knew friends over meant ribs.  So many memories you are leaving us and so many un-lived moments I wish we had.  You were my baby and I will always miss you.  And that is why I'm writing this.  Because I want to never forget your story.  

Some people think dogs aren't worth so much grief.  I disagree, a dog's soul is more pure and innocent than any human.  And while most people take them for granted, treat them as an addition to the house, some sort of decor or guard dog, they are more than that.   A dog is your most faithful companion.  A dog will never judge you and is always happy to see you.  While they are some part of your life, you are EVERYTHING to them.  YOU are their whole world.  And I know to my River, we were just that.  And so she was ours as well.