Dude

Yesterday afternoon, my family lost a beloved family member...our family dog. Dude became a member of our family about 14 years ago. Let's see...that would have made me 12 years old, I think. Wow! You may remember me mentioning a while back that Dude's stomach had twisted last year. Yes, just like on Marley and Me. Since that time, Dude has become much weaker. Arthritis made him slow. Back tumors made his legs weak. But, his love never failed.

I'm pretty sure a dog is one of God's ways of showing us how to love one another. No matter what happened that day or what tomorrow holds, a dog's love is unchanged. Maybe dogs are His way of giving a glimpse of how He loves us. Dude was my dad's best friend. He was a loved dog, and he loved us.

This past weekend, our hometown was hit by a horrible storm that caused some major flooding. Dude did NOT do well in storms. My parents had to give him an anti-depressant during storms to keep him calm. We think the storm this weekend just did him in. Monday night, Dude couldn't stand on his own...not even with help. The Vet came by to give him a shot. Apparently, this didn't help. The Vet thought Dude's kidneys were shutting down, and my dad was forced to make a very difficult decision. But, below you will see that Daddy did Dude one last favor. I have read this several times today. The first time on my way to work, when I performed the "ugly cry" free of charge. Another time just before I typed this...and I am still crying. I talked to my mom today and just felt heartbroken.

Please take a minute to read Daddy's letter to Dude (taken from his Facebook page). If you are a dog person, you will need Kleenex. Please keep my family in your prayers. It's amazing how these loyal animals become such precious members of our families.

"A Tribute to an Old Friend"

I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur. Never once did you mess up the house or chew your way through my shoes. You never liked to be dirty or wallow in the mud, but loved to chase me through the sprinkler, to play Frisbee and ...football when you were young and strong and noble. What a great receiver you were! To ride in the Jimmy (what eventually became known as “Dude’s car”) was such a joy!

As you got older we felt safe and slept soundly knowing you were protecting us by your presence. When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging just to say, “Welcome home. I missed you.” You never had a bad day, and I could always count on you to be there for me.

When I sat down to watch TV, you would stand by my chair, or lay at my feet looking for attention or just content to be close. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head or scratch your chin and to sleep with your head over my leg.

As you got older, you moved around more slowly. You would bark from the bedroom to let me know that you were ready to go to bed and waiting on me to join you.

Then, one day, old age finally took its toll, and you couldn’t stand on those wobbly legs anymore. I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again. You just looked up at me, as if to say you were old and tired, and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me for one last favor.

I had told you that you would have to let me know when it was time…and today you did. With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet. One last ride in “Dude’s car”.

I sat by your side in the floor with your head on my leg, scratching your chin as we waited for your faithful and compassionate Vet to prepare to release you from your pain.

You lifted your head, tired eyes momentarily wide open, and looked at me as if to say, “Thank you for taking care of me.”

And I thought, “No, thank you for taking care of me.”

I love you and will miss you old friend.