When Big Daddy and I had just been dating for a few months, and lived in separate cities, I was in Chicago visiting him for the weekend. Just like every weekend.
Going for ice cream was a normality, and the pet store was right next door to the ice cream parlor. And there was a really really really cute, down right irresistible puppy in the window.
A puppy I had to have. A puppy that had no choice but to come home and be mine. A puppy that turned out to be the best darned dog. EVER.
Her name is Jessie. And she has been with us from the very beginning. Before our marriage. Before any children. There was Jessie.
Before the kiddos arrived, it was just her. Doing crazy puppy around the around the condo making us proud. Finding her spot in between us on the bed and mastering the way she could move her paws just so to PUSH ME OFF THE BED.
Jessie has never chewed anything in her life that she shouldn't have. I've only heard her bark a handful of times. She has endured many tail pulls, even more ear tugs, and too many body slam embraces to even count.
Though I've complained about the amount of fur she sheds, and all the trips outdoors in sub-zero weather ... I love her. She is a part of our family and I can't even begin to imagine what life will be like without her.
But, I'll soon know.
Today, Big Daddy and I are saying goodbye to our sweet Jessie girl. It is time for her to run free in the great big yard in the sky.
I don't know how I will handle this.
I don't know how Big Daddy will handle this.
I don't know how the kids will handle this.
I do know that we will miss her terribly.
And that we will always remember her as a part of this family ... with a smile.
