With Loving Thoughts, Dear Boy

I've had an ache in my heart for the last several days. It's horrible. It's worse right now than it has been yet. This morning, I did something that was very difficult for me, even if it was in the best interest of the dog. Our 13 year old German Shepherd has had crippling arthritis for the last several months. Over the last couple of weeks, life has been seemingly more difficult for him, and I was having a very hard time watching him go down hill.

This morning I took our poor boy to see Dr. Mary. And I listened as Dr. Mary told Rob over the phone how much pain Ceasar was in. I watched as they put an IV into his beautiful paw. I held him in my lap, and talked to him telling how much his Daddy & loved him, what a good boy he was and promised to take good care of his Daddy. And I cried as he took his final breath. And our "oh so very wonderful golden boy was gone".

I know that he's off right now looking for his little brother Nicky, and probably a tennis ball.

This was sent to me in an email this morning, and it was way too touching and beautiful not to share:

"It came to me that every time I lost 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." (Cheryl Zuccaro)

This post is in honor of the 13 years of faithful companionship that our boy Ceasar has given us. May you have peace, sweet boy!

Ceasar is my fiance, Rob's dog, and they've been faithful companions since Ceasar was a puppy. When Rob was first starting out in business, Ceasar was his co-pilot. (Of course, this was before my time.) Rob took him on furniture runs to the south, to the east, and basically everywhere that he went. They did everything together. Rob often tells stories of Ceasar chasing him on the quad, up hills, down hills, through rivers and streams for hours at a time. For about 8 years, it was Rob & Ceasar.

Then Nicky & I came along! Ceasar didn't know what to think- suddenly he and Rob were not alone in the house, and in time, he accepted both me and my little basset. For the first 2 years of Rob & I's relationship, Ceasar and Nicky would play with one another, but as time wore on and Ceasar aged, he just couldn't match the little bassets energy (and that's not saying much!)

Although Rob was always Ceasar's #1 love, in our first years together, Ceasar was very protective of me. There wasn't a mailman, Fed Ex, or UPS guy that got within 2 feet of me without that beautiful boy butting in the middle.

The first time my parents visited our home, Ceasar planted himself in between my Dad and I when they first came in the door. After a few visits- Ceasar got used to my parents, and I believe that my mom was one of Ceasar's dearest friends. He always seemed to enjoy her visits.

And my all time favorite Ceasar incident... imagine Thanksgiving Eve 2005. Snow and ice on the ground, and a house full of people. (Rob was still very much a bachelor at this point- he had a refrigerator- it just didn't have anything it.) We had purchased a ton of steaks to feed our hungry guests, and I had left them on the counter and gone off to converse with some of our guests. Much to my complete surprise, when I returned to the kitchen- the plate was empty, and the shepherd was licking his lips looking very proud of himself!

We're gonna miss you buddy!