I can still picture that very first day when we met. The Pioneers club was hosting a Pet Adopt-A-Thon in the parking lot behind building 3. I can picture all the tents out there and the parking lot was buzzing with people coming to check out all the animals. I managed to drag your first Daddy there to "look". He was not a dog person, so you were destined to be a Momma's boy from Day 1.
You were hanging near the volunteers from the shelter. You always wanted to be near the people you felt safest with, scared to venture too far into the world without your security blanket. You had a bandanna tied around your neck. You were so skinny, only 35 lbs! I spent a good 45 mins with you, petting you, talking with the volunteers - you even ventured for a little walk with me! We went over to the edge of the lot by the trees so you could sniff around. I went off to lunch in the cafeteria and begged your first Daddy to let me get you. Finally he agreed and we went back to fill out the application. While I was in the middle of it, one of the volunteers came over and told me there was another woman filling out an application for you! I was suddenly so nervous that she was going to get you and I'd lose you, but the girl told me that they'd already decided that they liked me better. Yea!!! I've often wondered what would've become of you had that other woman gotten you. Would she have stood by you all the times you were sick? Would she have paid all the medical bills, given you all your medicines and drops, loved you as much as I did even when you were too sick to play?
We had a wedding to go to about a week after we picked you up. I had asked the shelter if they could hold onto you for another week so we didn't have to disrupt you after you just came home, but they said nope - if we wanted you, we had to get you ASAP. So we did and then I called Grandma. Thankfully the wedding was in Utica, so her and Grandpa met us at the mall in Syracuse and we dropped you off with them for the night. I'm sure they had no idea what they were getting into! Grandma loved you so much too. She was a founding member of your fan club. When we picked you up the next day we heard all about how you loved to run circles around the dining room table and discovered that the empty milk jugs were downstairs in the basement in the recycle box. You would disappear and next thing she knew you were coming up the stairs with a gallon jug in your mouth. Grandma and Grandpa also watched you for 2 weeks while first Daddy & I went to Australia. You took naps next to Grandpa in the recliner and went for walks with Grandma. You introduced her to Bob & Bob and your friends Nubby & Andy. Grandma still laughs about how when we returned home, you came down the stairs, saw us, and ran back up stairs because you didn't believe it was us! Finally you came back down and jumped the last 5 stairs so that you could greet us - you were so excited and so were we.
You had so much fun those first few years. We would often go walking in the woods, swimming at the beach, and there were always walks and play dates with the Bobs. Then one day I saw you have a seizure and I was so scared. That was when our lives changed. It was a long road to get the medicine regulated so that it helped your seizure clusters but didn't drug you out too much. At one point it even made you unable to walk! It was really tough and I was scared. But you were such a good sport through it all. You hardly ever cried or complained when you were sick and didn't feel well. You just wanted attention and to be loved.
When we met your real Daddy, he wasn't so sure about you either. You were confused with your life and missed me during the day. When you were upset - you had accidents where you weren't supposed to! You never chewed anything or misbehaved in other typical dog ways, but you certainly let me know you weren't happy! Finally you met your sister Blackie and we moved into the house. You were very happy then. There was room for you to run circles - our whole downstairs was a circle. You followed Blackie around trying to get her to play, but mostly she just bossed you around. You were such a goofball and she was such a little prisspot. You also loved the girls, you had such puppy dog eyes that they would always give you a treat even if they weren't supposed to. It was so hard to deny you. Even me & Daddy couldn't.
There were many times that you were sick or had clusters of seizures and each time I would get so scared. Especially when we couldn't stop the seizures and they just kept coming. And the time you had pancreatitis! Poor Dr. Barry didn't think you were going to make it and Daddy & I were really, really worried that time. I think you were like a cat with 9 lives. Finally when you lost your sight, that was when things took a turn for the worse. You were always so scared and nervous and not being able to see, you just didn't want to walk anywhere. You lost a lot of muscle strength and Daddy & I ended up having to carry you. Then you got colitis and were always so sick. You'd be ok for a little while, but then it would kick in and you wouldn't feel well for a few days. I think we knew for awhile we would have to say goodbye to you, but we were so sad we just couldn't admit it. Especially me. You were my baby and meant the world to me. You still do and I miss you desperately. I hope that you are happy now up in Heaven, playing with Blackie and Grandpa. I know you don't feel sick anymore, can see, and can run all over in circles like you used to love to do. I will see you someday and until then I remember all the wonderful things about you.
- I remember how you always used to tilt your head and give that eternal puppy dog look.
- I remember picking you up from Dr. Boden's with a perfect little red lipstick kiss on your forehead.
- I remember how much you loved PullToy and Bird.
- I remember when you ate all 2 lbs of my Williams & Sonoma Peppermint Bark!
- I remember when you wrapped yourself around the mailbox pole because you were scared of the UPS man.
- I remember how you used to fight Blackie for the spot in front of the door.
- I remember you sleeping on all our Christmas presents under the tree.
- I remember Grandma walking home fuming while you strolled along happily next to her, soaking wet and smelly from the creek.
- I remember you laying across the front seat of my car, your head in my lap while we took road trips together.
- I remember you peeking around the corner of the stairs trying to see who was at the door but not wanting to make yourself known.
- I remember how you'd always act brave and bark at strangers, but only after Blackie did first.
- I remember how you used to love to lay next to us on the bed or couch, cuddling with us.
- I remember your little prance you would do when you were excited and happy to see us.
- I remember how you stared at the automatic door during obedience class trying to figure out how to escape.
- I remember how soft and fluffy you were and how you always let me hug you.
- I remember singing to you before bed as I rubbed your ears and you fell asleep.
- I remember how your tail would curl up like a piglet and wag up & down instead of side to side.
I will remember it all Spencer and I will miss you more than anything. I love you more than words can say. You were the best dog and friend anyone could've asked for.
Spencer (2000-2011)
