As I am writing this to you, your mommy and I are in a hotel at Pokagan State Park near Angola, Indiana. Bear, this is where you took your first boat ride with mommy and I. You were so scared, but soon got use to the noise and movement of the boat. The weather is cold, but the day is beautiful, except you’re no longer with us.
You left us this morning at around 9am with your work completed on this earth. Mommy and I tried to go home and resume our lives, but the pain was too great. Somehow without your presence we couldn’t stand being there…so we left to clear our heads…and came to James Lake for one night.
We’ll never forget how it all started…
We found each other after you had watched over an Air Force family who were to move out of the country. You were at SICSA in Dayton, Ohio sitting in a kennel with 200 barking dogs. We were looking at some black lab puppies, but you stirred and grabbed our attention. You looked so completely confused and helpless, but were sitting quietly…while the other dogs barked for attention…and just looked as if you needed to find a home.
We walked the grounds and quickly found you to be a fine dog, and hoped you’d make a nice addition to our family. We had no idea how much of an impact you would make in our lives.
We signed the papers, and paid the money…and then went to the store to buy the things doggies need. You looked so unsure of your future as we pulled out onto Wilmington Avenue. I was unsure too. You were my first pet. Erin laughed as I drove home like a new father with his infant child in the car for the first time. I drove so slowly, we almost never got home.
When we got to our house, you began to ease up, and in your typical manner, became our companion, and so much more.
We sat on the futon for a bit, and we bonded very quickly. Truth be told....I was head over heels in love with you from the start.
You eventually got use to your new surroundings.
- You even used mommy’s chair for quiet reflection.
We soon moved to Toledo for a new job. You were used to moving having come from an military background, and went with the flow like a trooper. This gave a chance to expose you to a different way of life.
We all settled in at the Park Lane on the eighth floor and you learned what it was like to work with someone who worked very odd hours.
Mommy taught you and I how to enjoy the outdoors around Toledo. We would grab food and visit a local park. You always were happiest with us in the great outdoors!
Most dogs like water, especially Labs. You tickled us with your "lady-like" way of getting your toe wet!
But you eventually got used to the ideal of playing in the shallow water.
Two happy girls in the park during the toughest of times.
Oh Bear! You still would try to steal daddy away for yourself...and even gloat to mommy about it!
Summer trips to the ice cream shop, with you sporting the latest ice cream mustache would inevitably end with fall and then on to winter.
Despite our harrassing you with holiday headgear, you kept quiet and played along while mommy and daddy laughed. You survived eating two-thirds of a pound of Belgium chocolate your Granddaddy Lee left under the tree for mommy.
Spring rolled around again, and we had more fun in the sun…
Summer trips to Thomson, Georgia to visit mommy's grandparents, and walks at nature centers.Days at home showing the squirrels what you thought of their acrobatic leaps into the trees after you would chase them across the backyard.
Bear, I write this reflection on our life together to let you know you were a perfect companion for the seven short years we were able to spend together. You didn’t bark unless something was out of the ordinary. You loved us unconditionally regardless of how good or bad we were acting. You helped us get through hardships by offering your heart without strings attached. Many nights you kept us warm by jumping into bed with us…right between us…so you were the center of our attention.
Bear...We miss you. We love you. Goodbye sweet puppy.
