Ouraydog, 1997-2012

To our sweetest Ouraydog,

We miss you more than words can say.  You left our lives on Monday, August 20, 2012, and it felt like the world might as well have died with you.  Ours did.  The light, the color, the breath had gone.

When you first showed up, you stole our hearts with your irresistible cuteness.  We struggled with your puppyness though.  You were a tough case, your mommy had a hard time adapting.  Going from our sweet, sedate 14-yr-old T-dog to your wild, destructive, mouthy, hyper puppy ways was almost too much for your impatient, intolerant, short-sighted mom.  I'm so sorry for that.  Thank goodness your daddy had the vision and foresight to see the wonderful soul beginning to bloom within you, and the patience and faith to wait it out.

In that first year, we put up with a lot from you...

But over our 15 years together, you put up with a lot from us. 

You were and always will be our little OurayBear.  The cutest dog ever - Brad Pup.  The most comforting cuddle.  The glue that often held us together whenever things felt like they were falling apart.

You were with us always, went with us everywhere.  At home in Encinitas, in the yurt, in the RV, and in our most special place - the Rockies, in Ouray.

You remember, I decided against climbing the less inviting-looking Mt. Ouray (behind you here), but I'm sure glad we did that drive that day.  It was worth it just to get you next to one of your signs.

One of our last drives together.  This is one of the hardest things for us now - not seeing your face looking out from the truck.  And from the RV.  

  

If you want to and can come back to us, we will be looking for you.  But if you have other things to do, we hope that wherever you are now, you are well cared for and very, very happy.  If you are still into doggy things, we hope you have lots of good smells, good car rides, good things to pee on, and most importantly, lots of love and yummy snacks!  

We were so lucky to have you.  You were an essential part of our herd.  We are struggling to feel complete now since you moved on.  Senny was pretty sad and quiet after you left.  We didn't really think she'd react so much, weren't even sure she'd notice.  But we were wrong.  Of course she'd be sad!  You were her best friend, you guys were always together.  I think we know just how she must feel after all.  But we've tried to compensate and are giving her extra love and attention, and she seems to be happier again.  We are so grateful to have her.  She's a very sweet girl and was as good a sister and friend to you as we could have ever asked for.

Our final family photo.  It was so nice of our thoughtful neighbors to take it, and we did a pretty good job of smiling, don't you think?  Considering how we'd done nothing but cry the whole day, knowing it was our last day with you...

And for all we cried, and still cry, you were worth every single tear, and then some.  We will carry you with us always...

No matter what, you will always be with us.  In our memories and in our hearts.  You will forever be our Ouraydog.