A Tribute to our Loving Dog Lady

I haven't blogged for a little while because I'm trying to get my emotions in check, I've been having a hard time with some things and the main thing that I've been thinking about is the life of my sweet dog Lady. Lady turned 12 years old last month on June 18th and that's pretty good for a dalmation. Lady was diagnosed with kidney disease 2 and 1/2 years ago and was given a maximum of 1 year to live. My wonderful mom made sure that that dog had the right kind of food and the right vitamins to help sustain her life for as long as possible. Lady has recently gone blind and she has a hard time walking. In the last month, she hasn't been able to keep much in her system and they warned us that when this happened that the end was near. As a family we've struggled and fought the decision to put her out of her misery. She's been such a great part of our life that we didn't want to have to make that decision whether to end her life. After much thought, and prayers asking Heavenly Father to just take her in her sleep, we finally decided that there was no need for her to suffer any longer. On July 15th, 2008, she peacefully fell asleep for the last time. My dad and brother were with her and they said it was a very peaceful experience. She was so tired and she was to the point where she couldn't walk to get outside without collapsing many times or walking into walls.

Lady was one of the sweetest dogs in the whole world and she wasn't even supposed to be in our family. 12 summers ago at this time we lost another pet Bandit, who was sick and had to be put down. My parents claimed that we would never have another dog. My brother's friend had puppies and he asked my mom to come and see them with him, so she went and saw them. I went to youth conference for a few days and when I came home, I walked in the door and there was a pile of dog poop on the floor and I knew that my mom had caved. I'll never forget going into the backyard and seeing that dalmation puppy sitting in the dog house wagging her tail. She was there for me through so much in my life. She never left my side after having 2 surgeries in high school or anytime I was sick. She would lay by my bed and if I went anywhere she would follow and wait for me. She stayed by my side through many heartbreaks. She was there when a friend's dog tried to play with me and jumped on me and she got in between us and growled at the other dog (that was the only time I have ever seen her growl at another dog). When the grandkids were babies she would stay by there side when they cried, laying by their cribs, or laying outside of the closed bedroom door where they were. She was such a gentle dog.

Lady was very active and loved to play. You couldn't say frisbee, walk or leash without her getting all excited to go out and play. She was so good and obeyed every command when you would take her out.

Later into life, Lady's territory got invaded by another pet. I bought Cosmo 2 months before Lady was diagnosed with kidney disease. At that time, Lady slept in my room instead of in her own bed. She loved being in the company of people, it comforted her. When I brought Cosmo home, she would have nothing to do with my room for 3 days. She wouldn't come near it and wouldn't even sniff Cosmo. As Cosmo grew older, he naturally wanted her as a playmate and he would egg her on until she would cave and play with him. Cosmo lived for these moments when she would play. There were times when Lady would playfully open her mouth and put it over Cosmo's head, his cute little head could fit in her mouth but she never hurt him. Cosmo had this thing with chewing on her ears and she would let him. Lady was so much more active after Cosmo came along and we believe that it prolonged her life to have a friend. As Lady got sicker, Cosmo took care of her, he would go and visit her in her bed everyday and clean her, he would kiss her all over, trying to make her feel better. Every once in a while Lady would get up and get into a pouncing position and Cosmo would run up and down the hall and loop around her and down and up the hall again, pouncing on her, to try and egg her on. Sometimes we would be downstairs watching a movie and you could hear running up and down the hall as they chased each other back and forth. I'm going to miss that and I know Cosmo will too. As they took Lady today, my mom said that everyone was crying and Cosmo just wailed as they took Lady away. I think he knew what was going on and I hope that he will be ok without his best friend.

Lady was our pet, friend, protector, comforter, playmate, companion, and one of our family. She will be so missed but we know that her spirit is still alive and that she is running and can see again. We will miss her so much. We love you Lady, thanks for being such a great dog!