We had a long winter of ups and downs with Remsy....signs of her old age came and went. She was reluctant to go downstairs with us - which was odd because she always wanted to be right where we were. She didn't sprint to the door when the mailman dropped a package off. She lifted her head to greet visitors. She couldn't control her bowels. She started to eat less and definitely did not rush to get her food like she always had. Her breathing was labored and she could no longer play with the kids for an extended period of time. Her tail wagging had decreased significantly....we could tell she was happy to see us but it was fleeting happiness. Her legs weakened and it was hard to get out of bed every morning. She needed much more medical care in the last couple months....
She was good with the kids all the time....that never changed. The kids knew though that they had to be gentle with her. It's funny how smart kids are....we didn't have to tell them much - they knew that Remsy was not herself anymore. I overheard Maddox telling Joey "We need to help her get to bed, Joey! It's too hard for her to do it herself!" and both boys gently helped her lay down. Dogs teach kids responsibility, but they also teach kids how to love and care for something other than themselves. "Pup?" was the first thing Saylor would say when she got up in the morning and when we walked into the bedroom together, she'd say with such delight "HI, PUP!!" like she had missed her all night long.
I was the one who didn't want a dog. After Joe and I got our own house, he pushed and pushed for a black lab. I fought it....but when he drives you to a box full of puppies- well, there's just no turning back. Remsy and I had a love hate relationship- she loved destroying my shoes, my couch, my clothes, my wood floors, my carpet and I hated the path of destruction she left the first couple of years. But, eventually, we found our groove. And, the last couple years, while I worked from home, she laid at my feet and I got to give her lots of love and attention during the day.
As much as we all loved her though, she was my husband's dog. Remsy waited for Joe to get home from work every night. If Joe was out of town, I don't think Remsy would even sleep. She obeyed Joe's every word, she aimed to please her master. They were the best of friends, and that's what made the decision even harder for Joe. It's hard to make those tough decisions for your constant companion.
We said goodbye to Remsy on Friday, March 29th. She was 11 years old and we got her Easter Weekend, and she left us on Easter weekend. She was unconditionally loved and she loved us right back. Saying goodbye to her was heartwrenching.
We miss her like crazy. I miss the constant presence of her when I'm working. Joe misses her greeting him upon arrival. Saylor misses feeding Remsy and laying on her. The boys miss going outside and wrestling with her. It's funny how much a part of our daily life she was....I wake up and I think "I should feed Remsy now" or I open the front door and I think "I should let Remsy out now" or I go to pick up cookies off the floor, in fear Remsy would eat them.
She was the best dog and last night we talked about her and Maddox said, "I think she's probably in heaven with Gpa Cecil hunting pheasants and eating bones and running around." I think so, too.
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