Dear Lola

Dear Lola,

I miss you, friend.

I saw this recently:

“A dog on a walk is like a person in love. You can’t tell them it’s the same old world.”

And this is so you, Lola. You were always, always ready to go. The fact that we had to spell out “walk” and eventually had to just say “w”, was testament to your eagerness and love of going. Anywhere and everywhere. And a wonderful companion you made, every time. Whether you were sitting on the bank watching your daddy fish or accompanying me in the car to a cross country race or chasing the stick over and over again when the kids tossed it into the water for you.

Mostly, I want to thank you.

Thank you for always being in a good mood. All I had to do was say your name and your tail, and possibly entire body, would wag. You were sweet and enthusiastic…always.

Thank you for being the most loyal friend. In my hardest and darkest moments, you were happy to lay with me, for hours and hours if need be. You didn’t complain or want to do something else. You were happy to just “be” with me. You helped me through some of the hardest times of my life just by being there.

Thank you for knowing things that it seems a dog wouldn’t know. I watched every member of our family find comfort with you at different times over the years. It seemed you knew somehow that your presence and the ability to hug you would heal and comfort in a special way. And it did. 

Thank you for being my running buddy for many years, for making me laugh when you “talked”, for being kind to Charley even when the last thing you wanted was another dog in the house. Thank you for learning to love Gerd even though men were scary. Thank you for always being willing to sleep in. Thank you for trying to get outside when you had to throw up, even though a lot of times you barfed right on the rug.

Thank you for being the best dog. 

I will miss you forever...