All dogs go to Heaven

I didn't think I would ever have those kind of feelings.

I mean, it was just a dog.

A black and white, eighteen pound bundle of hair with a little wet nose kind of dog.

With big round eyes.

And a funny looking cropped tail.

Who posessed qualities of a big bear.

Who loved people food.

And harassing the chickens.

And having her ears rubbed.

Who would groan and grumble as she moved from a belly lying position to her side.

And would bark randomly.

Who never wore a collar.

And got out of the electric fence at the old house and had to go down to the pound.

Or would station herself at the neighboring houses in hopes of getting into the trash.

And managed to find the stinkiest of stinks and would roll herself in it, shortly after a bath most times.

Who enjoyed being at the lake. Or taking drives in the car.

Who would sit herself in a pool of water if she got too hot.

Who loved lapping a bowl of water until her belly was so full she would throw it up.

And would fall alseep on a blanket in less than two minutes.

Or if she was laying in the sun.

She was sweet.

Lovable.

And will be dearly, dearly missed.

Saturday morning the decision was made to relieve her of the pain her kidney failure was causing.

She was put to rest nearly as quickly as we arrived at the Vet.

And just like that, I knew. 

I had huge feelings for this dog.

And great memories.

I just sobbed as I left the room.

I was broken.

I never grew up with animals. We had some goldfish. No dogs. Cats. Or even a bird.

So this feeling was all new.

I felt like I lost a member of our human family. And essentially I did.

I can remember buying Patty at the pet store.

She was tiny.

And had funny looking eyes that were not set straight, but we were told they would work themselves out as she grew. And they did.

She had kennel cough when we brought her home.

And our oldest dog Samson took a bite out of her face almost the same day {this was his way of showing he was boss and did it to every dog we ever had}. Which by the way, we have had other dogs. We still have our original Sam from when the Hub and I first met... we just happened to find different owners for the other two.

She had a rough start that most breeders as we were told, would have "put her down for".

But we didn't.

We treated her and she got better.

She grew with us.

Adapted to our craziness.

And us to hers.
She loved the children and they simply adored her. Taking her for "rides". Sitting on her. Pulling her ears.
And the Hub... well lets just say it was his other princess.
She knew about his love too.
She would lay on the couch with him and fall asleep showing her rediculously crooked teeth. You could just tell she was smiling.
He always gave her treats and would sneak our food when I wasn't looking.
He loved that dog. To her very last day.

She fell easily in step with each new home we brought her to. She just really loved the country.

So it was only natural she be placed back on our plot of land, to be buried in the place she loved to be a dog. So we did. In the middle of the 90 degree heat. Plotted a place and carved the earth of her new bed.

Said our last goodbye's.

Then laid her to final rest.

I bet she is running and rolling in something really good right now.

And barking at the birds. Or the wind.

Being fiesty.

Being Patty.

We love you baby Dukes! {Patty Duke, Adorcious, Lady, Pat...}

Run and play...