As I write this, tears are still streaming down my face. I know my blog is supposed to be a happy place about my kids. But, it's my blog. We have been sad. And I can't not write about, she meant so much to my entire family.
In fact it was five years ago, Memorial weekend, that Earl and I took our first road trip. We traveled with a fragile puppy in lap. The point of the trip was to deliver Lily to her new home. She was 5 weeks old. And fell in love with the farm instantly. She did not fall in love with her sleeping arrangements. Outside from the start was the only way she would remain an outdoor dog, said Dandaddy. And he held firm. She stayed outside all summer long and learned to be ok with it. During the fall sleeping arrangements would completely change. In fact, in the end, Lily took over JJ's spot on the bed. Lily filled everyone's heart.
Shortly after her first birthday, yes by that time we were celebrating, Mason was born. Even though she was a puppy herself, she opened up to Mason lovingly. She was so gentle and protective of her nephew. They were immediately attached. Maybe it was because Mason and I lived there for the first few months of his life. They had a special bond. Such a special bond that I had this brilliant idea to get Mason a dog in hopes that they would have a similar relationship.
Along came Scout. Mason loves Scout, but it is not as deep as his feelings for Lily. In my opinion this has a lot to do with the dog being around before the baby. Scout and Lily became instant friends. Running and springing with each other. Playing tug-o-war, chase and lounging in the sun. I think Scout began to take Hank's place. Hank, also a Springer Spaniel, was Lily's boyfriend from a farm down the street. They played together quite often.
Lily gave us five years of pure puppy love, happiness and fussiness. She was a dog full of quirks. And she was the queen of the house. Which was quite alright by my parents. I thought it to be odd at the time that my dad would make me talk to her on the phone when I called, but looking back I enjoyed my conversations with her. I still don't know why I never really thought twice about my mom making her scrambled eggs for breakfast? And laugh thinking about her running to the kitchen whenever she heard plastic. It must be a granola bar, cookie, or something yummy. And I must add. I am still happy with my decision to not let my dad borrow Mason's bike trailer. It probably wouldn't have been the safest place for our Lily girl. I certainly am not saying she wouldn't have liked the ride. Lily was always up for traveling. She loved car rides.
This loss is really hard. Very sudden, making it that much harder. They did everything they possibly could for her. This is a tragic way to learn just how fatal anti-freeze is. She had so much more time left in her, and was just so much more than a dog.
She was my sister. And I loved going to my parents house knowing that she would be the first to greet me. That I couldn't sit on the right side of the couch because that was her place. I loved watching her spring through the high grass. I loved the way she crossed her front paws when sitting. I loved the way she sat in the car just waiting to go for a ride, anyone's car. I loved how she treated my kids and got annoyed with Scout. And her beautiful eyes. All in themselves told you exactly what she wanted. We just loved all of her. She will be missed, greatly and never forgotten. Here are some of my favorite pictures of her.
Mason and Lily, Summer 2006
Camping, Spring 2006
Scout and Lily, Christmas 2007
Lily, with mom and dad camping.
At the Ocean, Summer 2005.
And why she slept like this, I will never know. Camping 2007. What a CUTE DOG!
