Dog Love

I saw this quote on Facebook today… love it:

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."

~unknown

We've owned and loved some pretty amazing dogs…

Bonnie was the first (and world's best dog, for reals).  My favorite memory of Bonnie was that she ALWAYS somehow got out (or we let her run the neighborhood more likely) and she would follow me and Tony to school at Hutton. In my head, this happened pretty regularly (but may have actually only happened once or twice). She found us on Whidbey Island, and we could not go home without her.  Sadly, I have no pics of her. But she was a great big beautiful yellow lab mutt.

Next came Bear. Goosy Girl. The cutest fluff ball white puppy you've ever seen. Sadly, the memory that no one will ever let me live down… One time, I accidentally pushed her off the bed, and she hurt her knee and had to wear this sad little cast for a while. I still feel terrible about that. Thankfully, she was fine and all was forgiven.

Bear needed a friend, so Murphy Boy was the next to come along. Smurphles.  Murph.  A little neurotic, very protective of his family, and the sweetest most snuggly little guy you've ever seen.  That face. He had a rough last few years, with many trips to the vet, but he never whined or complained. So sweet (unless he decided he didn't like you).

Soon, we left the nest, and decided we needed more dogs.

Cara, Tony and I were living together briefly while Tone and I were in college.  A quick trip to the pound later, we came home with brother and sister Walter and Lois.  (Tony tried valiantly to argue that we shouldn't leave the third sibling behind at the Humane Society. Thankfully, he lost that fight and we only ended up with 2 twin terrors.)

Lola. Sissy girl. We are all still devastated by her sudden loss just a year ago.  She was the sweetest dog. And the biggest rascal. Famous for stealing sticks of butter or whole steaks from the kitchen counter (seriously couldn't turn your back for a second), and she could open a Starbucks mocha cup and finish it off without spilling a drop anywhere. She loved sleeping in secret corners and hiding places.  She is missed every day.

Her bro, Walt. T-Bone. Bon Bon. Sir. Bubba.  He is now a pretty crabby old man. Hates that damn baby Colie. And his reluctantly adopted cousin Lucy.  But he's just Carl. (Because he has the same 'tude as Carl, the old man from 'Up'.)  We love him so much.  He's old, fat, and SO darn sweet.  And has a true passion for human food.

And then there's Lucy. Lulu. LuBug. LB. She's weird. Really weird. But probably the sweetest girl ever. (I think I've said that about all the dogs so far…) She freaking loves her mom. So much, it's probably not healthy for either of us. She isn't allowed human food, which according to Tony has made her a bit neurotic. She loves veggies. And her Bubba (even if it's unrequited). But mostly just her mom.