Goodbye Sweet Cassie girl...

After 9 years, we had to say good bye to our sweet little girl, Cassie.   After struggling with a mass on her spleen and anemia, we were informed that a surgery would be a long shot for survival.  So with heavy hearts, we didn't want her to be in any pain, we kissed her goodbye and reminded her that she was the best dog ever, that she was smart and brave, and a survivor.  She survived and overcame having many seizures, paralysis in her hind legs, and living with 2 cats.   She lived a good life, 11 years of being spoiled and well-loved.  She loved taking walks every morning and every afternoon, and when I couldn't do it, she would let me know that she was disappointed by peeing on the floor. She always loved hanging out and lying in the sun while I worked in the yard. She was a smart girl who learned to shake, give a high-five, sit, lay, and ring a bell that hung on the door knob to let us know that she wanted/needed to go outside.  She was spoiled, as she couldn't stand staying outside for more than a few minutes if neither Jennie or I were out their with her.  She would run outside and then every few seconds would look back at the door to see if we were still standing there to watch her.  She was as loyal to us as anyone could be.

I am going to miss my morning wake-ups when she would lovingly put her muzzle up against my cheek to wake me up and say good morning daddy. I am going to miss her happy face when I come home from anywhere.  No matter how long I was gone, she was always happy to see us.  I am going to miss how she would go crazy with excitement when I got home and she would jump on the bed and try to dive or bury herself in the messed up sheets.  And even though I tried so hard to get her to fetch a ball or stick, the only thing she loved the most was her toy stuffed bunny.  She would toss it up in the air, telling us that she wanted to play; and after a few throws, she would satisfied.  I am going to miss how she would always try to protect either Jennie or I from each other when we kissed each other goodbye.  We never could tell who she was jealous over, which was even more a reason we loved her so much.  I am going to miss how she always tried to help out around the house by trying to keep her brother and sister (cats) from clawing up the furniture, breaking them up when they started to play fight, or when they jumped on the kitchen counters.  I am going to miss how she always knew when a camera was out; as she would shy away from it, almost making it a challenge to get a good picture of her.  I am going to miss how she would always take the little advantages to go outside with me even when it was just taking trash to the trashcan.  I am going to miss her loyalty to us, as when we did take her to a dog park, she would run around, but wouldn't play with any other dog because she was to focused on making sure that we were ok.  I am going to always remember the time at my parents land that she ran full speed around their pond and then suddenly did a superman dive straight into the water... and she had always hated water and didn't like it after that either.  I will miss her little paws moving and her little barking nips she made while she slept and dreamed either on her comfy dog bed or at the foot of our bed.  I will miss that at the end of the night, when we were ready for bed, all we had to say was "who's ready for bed?" and she would want to go outside to potty and then run straight to the bedroom with a big ol' smile on her face.  I will miss how happy she would get when it was time to go for a car ride.  I will miss how when you were sitting on the couch, she would come over and hike her back leg over your foot because she wanted you to rub her behind.  She was a funny little girl, and because she was an anxious and anti-social breed, when she did this move, you would know that she trusted you and liked you.

I am glad that in her last days, we were able take a final walk to the park and visited Dominick, a lab friend of hers, one last time.   She got to spend one last time in Longview to see her grandparents out in the country.  I am glad that she wasn't in much pain and not alone when she passed away, that Jennie and I were there to comfort her and praise her until her last breathe.

We buried her in one of her favorite sunny spots under our big ash tree in the backyard, so that she will continue to look over (and protect) her yard and owners, as she liked to think she did every time she went outside.

It's amazing how close the bond can be between a human and their pet, as it becomes evident at this time in your life.  We will always remember and love you, sweet little Cassie girl.  You will always have a piece of our hearts.