For Rosie.

Dedicated to the memory of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the Virtues of Man, without his Vices.

The death of a dog is always so hard. For many of us, a dog is like a member of the family- an extra sister or brother, but one that wont pick fights with you or tattle if you do something you shouldn’t. They’re best friends and companions, but ones who never judge or criticize- they always know when you’re feeling blue and give 100% of themselves to you 100% of the time.

Rosie was one of the best dogs we ever had. Back 10 or so years ago when dad had his old place on the other side of town, we came into work one day to find this frightened, scared, cowering young pup who’d barely let you get within 10 feet of her.  She was a pretty ugly dog- skinny, with a head that seemed small and a nose that seemed too long. She was obviously a mutt, and a kinda ugly one at that. Though we couldn’t get close enough to her to touch her for a while, we brought her food so she wouldn’t go hungry, which she gobbled up with relish. A number of weeks went by, but this scrawny ugly dog stuck around (probably because of the food) and eventually she inched closer and closer to the two legged beings who brought her things to eat. We were finally able to touch her (though for months, almost a year after that she’d cower and cry when you did) and we discovered on her dirty collar someone had attached a piece of duct tape, upon which was written “please take care of me.” I certainly hope we fulfilled that request.

Not long after the dog started allowing us to come to her and scratch her ears, we decided to give her a name and bring her home. She had short fur that was of a reddish hue, so we all decided that Rosie would be a fitting name for this strange, stray dog. Rosie integrated herself quite easily at home, enjoying all the wide open spaces our place gave and the companionship of the other dogs there.  She would frolic about and run, barking at birds and chasing squirrels.  It was obvious that she was content and happy- some say that dogs laugh by wagging their tails… if that’s the case, then Rosie was laughing all the time. And you know, Rosie was one of those dogs that you swear you’d catch smiling. She’d wag her tail, look up at you, and you honestly could see the corners of her mouth curve up into a smile. Right then you’d know she was a happy dog, and we’d done good by her.

The rest of her life wasn’t particularly exciting by any means- her days were spent still barking at squirrels, sleeping lazily in sunny spots, taking car rides, and being given lots of love and treats.

However, several weeks weeks ago our Rosie became sick. We took her to the vet and it turned out she had lyme’s disease. The vet gave her some meds and she seemed to be responding well. Then this past Friday she wouldnt eat or get up from where she was laying, so we took her to the vet again. The vet found an unrelated problem involving her liver- Rosie was jaundiced and her liver was terribly infected. Over the weekend, the vet ran tests and tried a couple treatments, none of which Rosie responded to. So by Tuesday, when it was clear Rosie wasnt going to pull through this, we had to make the incredibly difficult decision to put her down.

After work on Tuesday Mom, Dad and I rode over to the vets office where they brought Rosie in to us. Still wagging her tail and smiling, it was like she knew it was her time to go and she was trying to give us as much comfort as she could. We all scratched her ears and rubbed her belly and gave her hugs and as much love as we could cram into those last few minutes we had with her. The vet came in,  Rosie laid down, she was given a shot- she closed her eyes and drew her last breath with the three of us touching her, and talking to her softly. She left this world being loved and cared for, a way I hope we all get to go.

Goodbye, Rosie. Wherever you are, I hope there are many squirrels to chase, birds to bark at, and sunny spots to lie.  You were the sweetest, gentlest, best dog ever. You’ll certainly be sorely missed.

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion”