andy ~ April 23, 1997 - July 6, 2010

oh sweet andy ... sweet 'doo doo'

how my heart aches today...

i keep thinking i hear your little feet, clip, clopping on the wood floor.

i woke up and instantly felt for you at the foot of the bed...

as i have done every morning for so long.

but you are gone....

13 years ago you leaped out in front of the rest of the litter and barked at me.

and i knew you were the perfect dog for us.

despite what i was told...'don't pick the aggressive one in the litter'

it did not matter..

i felt as though ... you picked us that day.

you loved each of us unconditionally.

you wanted nothing more than happiness for all of us.

i'm so glad you were with us thru the storms andy.

your comforting gaze or hug, your wagging tail...

you never judged or scolded or said mean things.

you just listened.

you were such a crazy puppy. 

and oh my gosh, you could run, and we could not catch you.

your energy was beyond anything we could have anticipated.

and right to the end you still loved your walks.

you and me..... 

it will never be the same sweet boy.

you took a piece of my heart with you.

i love you to the moon....forever and always.

i don't know what i will do without you here andy.

we have been side by side for 13 years.

barely a day were we apart.

you had such personality.

and although some may not have believed me....

you understood every word i said.

you were so much more human than canine.

you loved your spot on the couch....

it allowed you to see both doorways and keep track of the comings and goings.

i loved the way you insisted on that spot...

the way you could talk us right into giving it up for you.

and when we had company you would sit on the floor looking at them in 'your spot'

and i know you were thinking....

'so, when are you leaving?'

i'm so glad we spent this last winter traveling the country side taking pics. 

you in the front seat with daddy. 

oh how you loved those adventures.

jumping out of the car and sniffing about was such a highlight to you.

and despite your achy bones you would bound your way thru the snow....

determined to get the most out of our adventure.

heck your pic even made it into a national magazine.....

not all dogs can say that. :)

this moment of you looking back at me..... captured what we had.

we were just a pair...never far apart.

i miss you so very much....

i pray my heart will heal.

but for now it feels broken and lonely

and so very sad.

love to you 'doo doo'....

thank you for holding on and being with us for 13 beautiful years. 

such a trooper you have been.

forever yours..... mommy.....