Losing a Canine Friend

I can't believe how sad I am...

Today, I had to make the very tough decision to put to sleep one of our dogs.  I somehow feel as though I've lost a child.

George was a stray who wandered into our lives about 6 years ago from who-knows-where.  He wasn't an especially smart dog.  He wasn't particularly active, never would play fetch, no matter how hard you tried to teach him the skill.  He would eat bacon and peanut butter with abandon, but actually would turn up his nose in disdain if you fed him anything other than the high-end dog food.  He loved Pedigree, especially when you added a can of "wet" food to the dry.  He'd never eat while you were watching him though, and he didn't like you to add to his bowl if he was there--unless of course, it was bacon.

He was lazy, preferring to dig a hole in the yard and wallow in the dirt as opposed to going for a walk.  Sometimes. he'd walk with us to the top of the hill and sit there waiting for us until we came back.  Unless it was summer and there was water in the local creek down the road.  Then, he'd lumber down for a cooling dip.

All in all, he wasn't much of a dog, and yet he was the best friend you could ask for.  He had an amazing way of looking you in the eye when you spoke to him.  When he gave you that warm look, he just seemed to make you feel better about whatever was happening with your day.  He also loved to play; but only on his own terms, and it seems, only with me.  He could be amazingly standoffish with others.  I actually kind of appreciated that he was really "MY" dog.

I miss my buddy.  And I know our other dog "Six" misses him too.

Whoever said pets aren't family members has never known the privilege of loving one.  With all their quirks and peculiarities, they're a lot like people.  Only they don't give you any opinions--wanted or otherwise.

Maybe what makes them so special is that they love you "just because."

And that in itself, is more than enough.

RIP George.