Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Laney

Laney in lap (2010)

I can't believe I'm writing this, but today, November 27th, we said goodbye to Laney. She has not been herself for a while now. I think the best recent memory was that day we all spent in Auburn together. I am so glad that we had that day before Laney really started declining this fall. I knew it wouldn't be much longer, but this morning it was becoming clear that it was time for her to be free from pain, and tonight just the vet, the tech, Clarence, and I were there when we decided to end things. It is the hardest decision in the world to make, but I think it was the right one. It was so incredibly peaceful. She was in my arms, in my lap, just like how she liked to be. I'm not sure if I've cried that hard in a long time. I will miss her so much.

She came into my life in December of 2009. She was only 5 weeks old. After I got her, I was in shock. She was so helpless, and I didn't know what I had gotten myself into. Many nights were spent awake while she howled away. I slept with her on my chest, in my lap, and eventually she had her own side of the bed. We were a team. I loved her so much. She was the best dog anyone could EVER ask for. She knew me. If I were having a bad day, she would sit next to me, try to lick my face. I could read her and how she was feeling, if she was happy, sad, scared.

I am so glad she got to meet and to know Rowan and Lydia and that Rowan will hopefully remember her. She loved kids. I remember the first time she met a friend's daughter. She brought her all her toys, belly-crawled across the floor to bring her things. I remember the many nights it was thunderstorming and Rowan and Laney snuggled together for comfort in Rowan's bed. He loved having her in there with him. There are so many ways she was so wonderful. I wish I could write them all here.

I sit here now with Bella planted firmly on my foot, snoring away. Every now and then she whines a little. She is missing them too. We became a one-dog family so fast. It is quiet around here. It's going to be so incredibly hard to get used to this.

3 comments:

Trisha said...

Sweet Laney doll. I loved being able to look at her crossways and make her bark, and teaching her other tricks. She was so smart and so in tune with people's emotions. You guys were definitely a pair and it's hard to imagine you without her even though your family has expanded a little bit since 1999. :) I will miss her too. Love you.

Ash said...

Thanks Trish. Love you!

Ali said...

This post made me cry. Love you and that pups! I'll never forget our days together and festive collars I'd get for her.