Today I want to write about my dog, Wally.
Wally was a beautiful, big, golden retriever. When we first
met him he was a guide dog in-training. My husband, David and I were lucky
enough to know the puppy trainers who were going away for a few days and needed
a dog sitter. We just got married a year and a half earlier and were working
many hours a week, but we both grew up with dogs and loved them, so we jumped at
the idea. They instructed us to take Wally everywhere we go; stores, parks,
restaurants- everywhere. So, we did. We took Wally to Ikea, the grocery store,
and the mall. We even took him to the local sushi restaurant. (They were not
happy with us!) But tough. We didn’t care and neither did Wally who just plopped
down under the table and took a nap.
Well, Wally was kind enough to fail out of guide dog
training. They said he was too soft-- which is code for the perfect dog for us.
The puppy trainers couldn’t take him, so they recommended
that we get Wally-if we wanted him.
Are you kidding?? Of course we wanted him! The sweet, too-soft,
95-pound ball of fur was ours!
We were so excited. At last our house felt like a home!
Coming back from work was awesome. Wally was always waiting
at the door with his tail wagging and tongue slobbering. It was heaven!
We went to the park, out on hikes and walks-anywhere we
could with him. He no longer had the guide dog vest, so no sushi, but that was
fine. He didn’t mind hanging out at home.
Three months later we found out I was pregnant---with twins!
Surprise!
Wally watched out for me and made sure I was okay. When
David traveled for work, Wally was my guard dog. (He had a huge bark- but
absolutely no bite- just lots of licks!)
I was on bed rest with the twins for six weeks and he never
left my side.
He was my hero.
Abby and Josh were born and they were tiny, but our 95 lb.
dog was so gentle. Nothing was going to happen on his watch! He licked them
gently, let them play on him, and only stole some of their food. He was also
the best cheerio vacuum cleaner. Danny came five years later and Wally loved
him just as much. Our family was complete.
Years passed and Wally started to get older. He had painful
arthritis, his vision was poor and his hearing was even starting to go- but
Wally never complained. He’d always follow me up and down the stairs, but
the stairs were getting harder for him. I had to trick him to stay downstairs
and run really fast to get whatever I needed so he wouldn’t follow me up. That
only worked some of the time.
Every time I came home, there he was, sleeping near the
door. He’d get up when he saw me and give me a cuddle and then lay down again.
My doggy was getting old and I didn’t like it one bit.
On December 23, 2012, we got home from an errand and Wally
couldn’t walk. I prayed that he was just tired, but he was no better in the
morning. The unthinkable was happening
and I couldn’t deny it. I was sick, couldn’t talk with laryngitis, and I was
devastated. My dog, my guard, confidant, pillow, and especially my friend was
dying and there was nothing I could do about it.
It’s almost been a month and I’m still sad. I know I will
always miss Wally.
In the past, when there was something on my mind, I’d write
it out. So, here it is.
Wally had a great life. He gave us 14 happy years. We are so
thankful for every one of those years. Now, we have memories (and still golden
retriever fur around the house somehow!)
Thanks for listening. Cherish everyday with your pet. Love
them and let them love you. That’s all they really want to do!
Have a wonderful, tail-wagging week.
Love,
Meredith
