I am blogging about this not for sympathy, but because I print this blog into a book every year and this was a big event in our lives in 2013. I wanted something special to remember this by.
We had to do one of the hardest things in our marriage recently. We had to say goodbye to our "first dog child". Waco became a part of our family in May of 2005 and she brought us so much happiness. Every.single.day when I got home from teaching school, that dog and I headed off to go walking at the park in our neighborhood in Dallas. Rain, sleet, snow or sunshine, we were at that park. Then we moved to Amarillo in 2008 and she learned to brave her first cold winter here. My dad built the best, warmest, insulated dog house for her that helped her through many winters.
Then we welcomed Parker in 2009 and she welcomed him too. From the beginning, she was so calm, patient and tolerant of having a little one around. If we were outside at the park and someone she didn't know was out walking or just there, she ALWAYS positioned herself between Parker and that person. She was so protective. Never hurt a soul, but just stood in the way and made her presence known.
We don't know 100% why, but we think during her spay surgery when she was a pup, there was a nerve damaged that kept her from having full bladder control. It was fine when we she was younger, but the older she got, the worse it became to where she wet everywhere, all the time. It was no way for a dog to live. She was having to stay outside too much and the winter is just too cold for that here. She slept inside and every morning we woke up to her lying in her own urine.
So, on Christmas Eve morning, we brought her inside, cried our eyes out and said our goodbyes. I didn't think Parker fully understood what was going on until I found him sitting with her on her dog bed, stroking her head and talking to her all about Heaven. I cry just typing this. We talk about her often and as the weather gets warmer and we start going to the park again…I will dearly miss that leash hooked onto the jogger and her so fearlessly leading the way.
We love you Waco Austin! You were a good dog.
Waco was the cutest puppy ever.
She quickly became our baby.
She grew up at the ranch during the summers.
"Do YOU want to go on a walk??"
Always chasing something.
Looking nice for Halloween.
She helped me teach science safety to my students when I taught school.
Cozy.
Family pic.
We celebrated every birthday she had with hats and a bowl of ice cream.
So tender with baby Parker.
She came on every walk/run we went on.
She was always curious about what Parker had been eating.
She was well loved.
And well taken care of.
She loved to swim.
And she loved listening to Parker "read" her stories.
Buddies.
She tolerated a lot.
She loved to fish.
And relax with me in the pool.
She was worried when we introduced another little one to her but was always sweet to Sydney.
Waco, there is a hole in our family now. You are missed so much!
