I went for an older girl, and I came home with a young, beautiful, handsome brindle boy -- YOU!

And you were a handful but ending up being my love of a handful. I always tell people you were the only dog that ever challenged my leadership of "The Pack". But we got trained together and we were good. It was ok you didn't like other dogs because you loved people. Little kids and adults could pet you. You even had your big head in a baby carriage! If we were on a walk and someone didn't pay attention or want to pet you, it confused you. "Why not? Why don't they want to pet me?" We went on more walks than any of the other dogs I had. You chewed up so much -- probably from boredom, after all, you were only about a year old.

Do you remember your first fireworks display here? They went off before I was prepared, and you ran to the open view fence, barking, and barking. I went to try to get you and you pulled me down (not on purpose of course) and ran down the fence. Just as I was getting up you ran me down again and our heads hit -- hard. I ended up with a big abrasion on my leg and my head felt like a bruise -- it hurt to touch it. LOL.

There is so much to say.

Remember how you barked and jumped full on at the front window when another dog went by? We all thought you were going to eventually go through it. You made us "That House". When we went out for a walk and I would talk to people, I would mention that you did that and people would say, "oh. You're 'That House'". Lol You really scared them when they walked by. We had to move the dining room table and chairs in front of the window.

Then there is the "Home Depot incident" before training that left me traumatized. You saw a little dog across the way (a ways away -- it was a big store). They were coming in and we were going out. You started barking, leaping in the air at the end of the leash and almost got out of the leash! People were looking and staring as I was trying to drag my 175-pound dog out of the store. But we did it. And I told you that was the end of our Home Depot walks -- lol.

I didn't know where to take you, so we ended up at all kinds of strange places. We went over to the Pioneer Living History Museum a couple times and the last time some bitchy old lady came out and started yelling at us to leave because they were closed and telling me (yelling) I couldn't walk my dog around there -- it wasn't a dog park. I told her the gate was open, she said they were expecting a delivery and the hours were on the gate. Even as we were getting ready to go, she kept yelling at us, so I started yelling back, telling her "We're Leaving!!!"

And when you rode in the car, you stood in the back hatch leaned forward between the two front seats and stared straight ahead out the window like my co-pilot. That was cute but not a good idea since you were so dog reactive.

When you went to training and you were ready to come home, I went out and bought everything -- it was like the King was coming home. I had to get that car gate so you couldn't make me drive off the road while you stood between the seats, you got a HUGE kennel I had to have the neighbor help me put together -- that you walked into once and that was the extent of its use, lots of food, dog beds.............and I know there was more but I can't remember.

Then I had to get over that Home Depot trauma and learn to have the confidence to walk you.

But we made it. We made it through it all. And there is so much more. Your smile, your bark. I know you are in a peaceful place with new friends to play with -- there are no problems with the other dogs at Rainbow's Bridge. Love is endless. I am sure you have found your "siblings" and are loving each other. My house is too quiet. I love you so much and I miss you so much. You won't be there to comfort me as I roll over in the night to pet you.............. I will see you soon. Kiss Kiss Hug Hug

I love you,
Mom