RIP Scooby

I am very sad today.   Our family has lost an important member - our dog Scooby.  Technically, he is my son's dog.  However, I will never forget the day we brought him home from the pound in December of 2000.  I was not ready to get another dog after the loss of Rascal (which is a whole other blog).   I argued with my Daddy when he insisted that a 12 year old boy needs a dog.  Of course Jake and my Daddy wore me down and Scooby came home with us.  She was a great dog - housetrained already.  I made her live in the back yard.  Jake would sneak her in every day for some inside time and let her in at night thinking I was asleep.

Eventually, Scooby went to live with my parents.  My Daddy said he was taking care of Scooby "for Jake".  My Mother fussed about Scooby much like I did, but she too fell in love with the dog.  She would "cook" for Scooby as she got older and make sure she was warm and dry.  She would "let her in" when there were thunderstorms.  Everyone in the family grew to love that wonderful little black dog.

Scooby and Jake spent many hours on the farm squirrell hunting.  When Jake moved to Alaska, Daddy and Scooby would walk through the woods so Scooby would not miss Jake so much.  When Jake would return from Alaska each year, I can't tell who he missed the most - me or the dog.  At the end of each telephone conversation, he would always ask if we were taking care of Scooby.

Scooby was a smart dog.  Jake taught her lots of tricks.  She was polite, never barked, didn't bite and even loved kids.  When Mom & Dad enclosed the porch last year, Daddy paid $200 for a top of the line doggie door for Scooby.  Daddy and Scooby sat on the porch a lot lately.  Daddy has been plagued with foot problems and he and Scooby talked a lot on that porch. 



This morning, Scooby did not want to get up.  She was not well.  Jake called to see if we thought she was sick last night.  Finally at 9:00 this morning, he put her in his truck to take her to the vet.  He wanted his dog to not hurt or be sick.  On the way to the vet this morning, Scooby took her last breath.  I think it is remarkable that she waited until she was alone with Jake.  They said their goodbye's in private. 

Last night I said goodbye to Scooby and didn't realize it was REALLY goodby.  When I left, I bent down to pet her and told her what I always do.  I said, "Scooby, take care of 'em around here.   See ya soon ole girl.".  I wish I had known that I wouldn't see her again.  I would have taken a bit more time to give her a final hug. 



 My heart is breaking this morning as my son will bury his beloved Scooby at the cemetary at the farm where she will join Lou (my Daddy's birdog), Valentine (Jake's goat), and Windy, (the farm horse).  I guess that is a final less for us all.  We never know how much time we have with those we love.  Hug them often.  Express your heart openly.  Don't be afraid to love. 



 



RIP Scooby Dooby Do.  We will miss you terribly.