It is with great joy and great sadness that I’m typing this post, about our beloved dog, Aussie, who we lost 3 weeks ago. If you have had a pet for any length of time, you know how they become a family member and part of your lives and are a companion and friend, no matter what! Our sweet Aussie was with us for almost 16 years and yes, I know that is a very long time, but selfishly, it wasn’t long enough and we wanted more time, more memories and more wags and licks from her. It had been about 2 1/2 years since Aussie first had some sort of problem, whether it was a seizure or stroke and we feared our time with her was coming to an end. I well remember the day after that episode when I took her to the vet and cried the whole way there and back and not knowing just how long we’d have, it was scary! But, she amazed us and bounced back and seemed to be back to normal most of the time. Sure, there were some times she had a problem or two, but mostly she was her old self, full of life and enthusiasm for whatever she encountered each day.
It was 16 years ago this coming October when our family took a trip to visit my parents at their cabin on Hayden Lake…we had moved from Tennessee the summer before and had lost our other dog of 13 years before the move and the kids were continually asking when could we get another dog! The day we “found” Aussie, my husband and dad were golfing and my mom and I took the kids into town and stopped by the humane society “just to look” and guess what a litter of pups had come in an hour before! We drove to the golf course so the kids could ask their dad if it was okay to get a puppy, saying we’d found the perfect one! Well, my dad instantly said, “YEP and I’ll pay for it!” My dad LOVED dogs and with his answer we had no choice, but to get the puppy…and it was truly love at first sight! She was the runt of the litter and just under 3 pounds…oh, I can see that sweet face and smell that puppy breath as I think of it! The rest is history…and in the years with her, we created so many memories and have some wonderful photos of her.
Aussie was a GREAT dog…and I know, I’m biased, but if you ask a lot of our friends, neighbors and even some strangers, they’d agree with me! Aussie was very well behaved (other than the begging at meals, which I full take the blame for since I would feed her my last bite from a meal) and loved people, though she would bark and some occasional solicitors who she didn’t like (which I tend to think there was a reason why…I think she knew they didn’t need to be around!) and made so many friends from people just walking by our home. When we first got Aussie, we put in the electric fence in the yard and trained her to stay in the yard. It wasn’t a couple of years before that was cut with landscaping and yet, to the day she passed away, she still stayed in the yard (well, maybe with the occasional wandering to say hello to a neighbor on either side!). People would walk by with dogs and she’d go to the end of the driveway and stand right there and just watch or a cat would wander through the yard, she’d run after it until the property line and then stop…and when people would walk by and we were outside, they’d comment how friendly and well behaved she was. There was a couple who the past couple of years walked by nearly ever day ( with their dog) and would always stop and give her a treat after making her sit or shake, or rollover (which was harder for her the past year)….they were so good to her! Aussie would literally go to the end of driveway and check the curbing EVERY time she’d go out to see if she missed them…which she would find a treat, if she wasn’t out when they would leave a treat for her. She never forgot and if she saw them a couple of blocks down the street, she’d stand and wait for them, almost at attention! Oh, and I can’t forget to share the story of the UPS driver. When we first got Aussie, the UPS driver would come and bring her a treat with a package and then she began to recognize the connection and whenever she saw the truck, she stood on the end of the driveway, waiting for the treat! The driver was awesome…he stopped every day and gave her a treat and said he would even stop at the store to by more, if he knew he would be in our neighborhood! After a few years, the driver was given a new route, but came by to say “goodbye” to Aussie and told us that if we ever needed to find a new home for her, to call him, that he’d take her in a heartbeat! Obviously, that never happened, but the funny part, we had to “train” all the new UPS drivers to be sure to bring treats, otherwise, she’d be sniffing their pockets all the way to and from the door if they didn’t bring something! Fed Ex drivers never fell into the same category and some wouldn’t even deliver because she was “scary!” Yeah, right! Oh well, their loss in getting to meet a great and friendly dog!
Playing with the kids, chasing balls or frisbees, swimming, playing tug of war or lounging in the sunshine were Aussie’s favorite activities and I’m so thankful that most of her life she was able to do that and she truly loved each day. I think the routine is one of the things I miss the most…seeing her sweet face each morning and getting the wags and licks when I’d say good morning…or the hug and kiss I gave her each night just before I’d crawl into bed. Of course, there were days when she wanted to go in and out ALL the time you know I’d give anything for that to return to our lives!! Oh, I miss her so much and I know it’s been just a few weeks and that the sadness of missing her will get easier to bear all the time, but I sure miss her!
Today we are formally saying goodbye to her and sprinkling her ashes in Hayden Lake…at the place where she first joined our family and a place that she LOVED…so we felt it was where she should be, her final resting spot. We have family together for the weekend and it’s comforting to have them with us as we say goodbye…and I know that she’s doing great now…running, jumping, swimming and having a grand time with my dad and our other family’s four legged friends who have since passed away… So with sadness and pride, here are some photos of our beautiful Aussie, who we dearly miss….rest in peace!
Aussie LOVED playing ball…and as you can see, was patiently waiting for me to throw it!
My two very favorite “Aussie’s” – obviously, Aussie and my good friend, Kate, who is an Australian!
Aussie, trying to be patient with her new nephew, Angus, when he joined Jess and Sean’s family!
LOVE this photo of Jess and Aussie….two of my favorite girls!!
As you can see, Jayden and Aussie became good friends early on and shared their toys…they were so good and cute together…
The lake…whenever we would arrive, the VERY first thing Aussie would do is run and jump into the lake…and she continued this up until the last year!
So patient and a good sport about the costume…but look at how darn cute she was!! Santa Aussie!
Brand new to our family and she quickly stole our hearts!! This was the first week with us! Just 3 pounds!!!
Love this photo…of my dad and Aussie…he always spoiled her rotten whenever he visited us or we visit him….she loved him as much as he loved her!!!
Aussie could always be found beneath a cutting board whenever getting ready for a family meal…this started early on!
Crazy sleeper!
Checking the basket to make sure the kids got all the candy out!
Aussie was such a good sport about the kids dressing her up…you can tell by her smile!
Another lake favorite….riding in the boat!
Always a part of the “first day of school” pictures!
Taken this past January when we had some snow…even though she didn’t play like she used to, she was still happy to be outside with us!
You can tell how close Aussie and Jayden were…she was always there for Jayden!
The kisses were often, wet and slimy….and Jayden never tired of them (nor did I!).
Just this past April when Aussie met a new cousin, Enzo who was just a couple months old and she even played a bit with him!
Ahhh, from a walk that Aussie and I took last fall…one of my favorites from the past year.
More kisses!!
Once Angus got older, Aussie and he had a good time playing.
These photos were taken two years ago by my other favorite Aussie, Kate, of Kate Hunter Photography! I am SO thankful I have them and ever grateful to her for doing this for us!
First of all, I’d like to wish all of the dads out there a VERY Happy Father’s Day! It’s a day that we honor the first man in our life, someone who has loved us unconditionally and faithfully…and been there to pick us up when we’ve fallen down! Without so many amazing dads out there, this world would certainly not be the same! My dad was amazing and never doubted my ability to do what I wanted, always encouraged and challenged me and loved me for who I am! It’s been a couple of years now that I’ve not had my dad to share my life with, but I know he’s watching over and is there with me each step of the way…I miss you dad!!! With that being said, another GREAT man in my life is my husband who is an amazing dad and now a “papa” to our beautiful granddaughter…I can’t imagine life without him…he’s been there through thick and thin and has been supportive and encouraging to our two children (both grown!!)…and is part of who they each are! You are amazing my dear…I love you so much!
