This blog posting is probably one of the hardest I have ever written. Mike and I believe very strongly that if you are going to own an animal that they aren't just a "pet," they are a member of the family. Both of us grew up around animals, so it was natural that when we began thinking about moving in together the first item on our list, above any piece of furniture, was a dog. Not just any dog, a special dog...a Blue Weimaraner. I have to be honest, I am not even sure how we arrived at a Blue Weim, but we had a vision of having a blue male and a silver female someday and we were ready to begin our family with the addition of the cutest puppy either of us had ever seen...Baxter. It was almost twelve years ago that he was born. I remember meeting him for the first time, just days old, I was sitting at the vet clinic, he was no bigger than the palm of my hand, waiting for him to go in and get his vaccinations. I remember sharing with Mike how small he was and how it was going to seem like forever until we were able to finally pick him up and take him, "home," and call him ours!

The weeks passed and it was finally time to pick him up. He was at a breeder in the Center Point area and Mike was working late, so I had a friend go with me to get him and we stopped at his Mom & Dad's on our way through town. I was such a proud Mom! I couldn't wait to show him off! You can see why...

Baxter Boy Blue!

He was the cutest puppy, hands down! He had to be cute considering I hadn't told my Dad that I was bringing home a new dog! It wasn't long, minutes actually, before Baxter climbed right into my Dad's heart, too. And in fairness, I was scheduled to move with Mike into our first house in four weeks, so our stay would be short!

Baxter wrapped himself right around everyone's hearts. He could be such a pistol, a naughty puppy, really, but he was so gentle and such a snuggler that no one could resist him -- and I am convinced he knew that! It wasn't long before he settled right into our family and our hearts!

Baxter had roughly 4 years with us before we finally decided it was time to add our silver female to the family! Mike was smitten with this cute little puppy that we met while trying to help my cousins find a dog...and before we knew it Baxter gained a sister, Luca. While he tried to pass her off like a nuisance, he was absolutely in love with her and they soon became inseparable.

Baxter & Luca - The Beginning!

Our dogs are our first children, so it was very important to us when we found out we were having a baby that the dogs would be involved. After all, this baby was going to be their sister and not just change our lives, but theirs too. We made sure that they came home before we did and that they had a blanket that Lila was wrapped up in when she was first born to get acquainted with her smell. We wanted to make their acclimation to this new addition as positive as we possibly could. The greeting they gave Lila when she came home was beyond what we had hoped. They loved her immediately! And as you can tell from the picture below, Baxter was very interested in his little girl and from that moment on a beautiful bond formed.

Welcome to our family, Lila!

Never straying far...

Even present for baths!

Always up for a good time!

The bond between Baxter and Luca was unbreakable and the bond between Baxter and Lila continued to grow and grow. Truly one of the sweetest things I have ever witnessed was the quiet, shared love they had for one another.

Happy!

Sunbathing!

Always a gentle giant, he never acted jealous or agressive, and he was often times poked and proded as a little girl climbed on him or insisted that he wear crowns or jewels!

A girl and her dogs!

Happy guy with new Christmas toys!

Good looking guy!

Loves from his girl!

Can't get close enough!

Always a trooper!

A remarkable bond...an unforgettable friendship.

Unfortunately, we said "goodbye" to Baxter on Thursday, April 11th. He was just shy of turning 12. While Mike and I were both aware that he was getting up there in age, losing him was very unexpected. Due to some irregular breathing we decided to take him to our vet to just make sure all was okay. Mike took him Thursday morning and I fully intended on getting some kind of an antibiotic or some "doctor's orders" and have my husband and my dog back home. As fate would have it, that wasn't how the day was meant to be. Mike called me in the middle of the day, crying, to let me know that the diagnosis wasn't good. He had been transferred to the Emergency Vet to have an MRI done on his heart. The scans showed that his heart was enlarged and he was experiencing heart failure. Our hearts were broken, our options were very limited, we needed to make a decision and our decision was to love him and protect him the way he had loved us and protected us, every single day, for twelve years.

Our Handsome Boy, Baxter

We have been so lucky to know the love of such a wonderful dog and we were honored to love him back. There are holes in our hearts and an even bigger hole in our family. Lila reminds us that Baxter is now in heaven amongst the clouds and the stars. Goose, we know you are up there watching over us & protecting us...we love you!

The poem below was comforting to me as we had to make such a difficult decision and it is also wonderful reminder of the relationship we have with our dogs, a relationship that is unlike any other. There is no doubt that our saddness will fade, but the memories that Baxter left behind will last a lifetime.

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

--Beth Norman Harris