Blackie (warning, this post is not funny)

Blackie, at her place under the table.

October 22nd we put our eldest dog, Blackie, to sleep.  Putting a pet to sleep, especially a dog or cat,  is always a hard thing to do.  My friend, Dr. Brenda Eisenhauer of Parkside Animal Health Center, attended Blackie during this procedure.

Dr. Eisenhauer confirmed Blackie had some mass most likely in her spleen, her heart rate was doubled, and believed the mass had probably spread.

Blackie was rescued by a neighbor of my mother's.  She was in Tennessee when she came across some kids throwing pups in a river.  The pups would swim back to shore, only to be thrown in again.  Blackie was the runt of the litter.  She snuck blackie in her purse to get her back on the plane and bring her to Florida.  Her husband wouldn't let her keep Blackie.

Black dogs take poor pictures in low lighting, although
you can see the tail is wagging.

It had been a few months since we had a dog.  I agreed to "...just go take a look the pup."  We walked across the street from my mother's and found the pup on the porch.  "See," Marie said, "she won't get that big."

I looked at those paws and legs.  Even at her young age the pup had legs longer than her body and paws that covered my palm.  Suddenly Kaylee ran up, "Is this going to be our dog," she asked excitedly.

Blackie

"Yes," Marie replied.  Obviously, I had no decision making in the process.  But we took this tiny pup in, and I never regretted it.

Blackie was easily trained.  Being a Labrador/Rottweiler mix, she had a natural proclivity to please.  She quickly learned to 'sit', 'come' on command, and she practically potty trained herself.  She was highly intelligent, and just plain fun.

When we moved to Colorado, she experienced snow for the first time.  She barked at it, and stuck her paw in it.  She didn't go outside for several hours, just watching it fall and then look at us questioningly.

Blackie needed a friend to burn off her excess energy.  For that reason, we got her a companion: Cookie.  Blackie took to Cookie like she took to every dog: Its someone new to play with!  She actually taught Cookie how to sit and come, and she even potty trained her, making her go outside to do her business!

Blackie was the nicest dog I have ever met. She weighed in at over 100 lbs when fully grown (as much as 115 lbs at one time).  The kids would crawl all over her, get in her face, and play with her for hours. They would pull her tail, she would yank it away, and I swear she would put her tail back in place for the kids to grab again. I could not have asked for a gentler pet for my children to grow up with and to learn to love. She brought joy to our lives and I can only hope that we brought some joy to hers.

Dogs are often a big part of our lives, becoming family much as a child or sibling. My daughter, Kaylee, was with me at the Vets. We said our goodbyes to our daughter/sister before letting her pass over. Her favorite toy Yoda was by her side the entire time.

The last picture I took of Blackie: Yodo by her side.

Thank you, Blackie, for being a part of our life.