September 12 - My Forever Furry Love

Dear Amelia Peabody,

Our life together started in May 2005. JD and I were newlyweds. I was in Hawaii for work and he told me he had a surprise for me when I got home. When I landed in the Gainesville airport, he was waiting for me in the parking lot with you. The cutest bundle of black fur I've ever seen. I screamed "Oh My God, A Puppy!" and our lives were forever changed. Your first home was our little 2 bedroom apartment in Gainesville. We lived there for 3 months. You stayed in the kitchen while we were at work (kept in there with a baby gate). You shredded your AKC papers on the fridge and used to do the Snoopy Dance when we got home (dance on your back legs). We went for countless walks in the neighborhood behind the apartments and went to the dog park next door almost every night of the week. 

We decided we needed a yard for you so we rented a house. I remember that you curled up on our green couch and took a nap while we were moving stuff into the house. Before that, you were never allowed on the furniture. After that...well, you loved that green couch so much your black fur destroyed it. We lived in that little house for 6 years. You had 2 furry friends in that house, golden retriever Breck and Guinness, the black/golden. We went on epic walks through the neighborhood, you were my constant companion. You would lay on top of me in the mornings and as soon as I opened my eyes, you were ready for our morning walk.

You were the first grand-dog and Grammie made you a custom purple witch costume for your first Halloween. We took you everywhere-Tampa, Miami, the dog park. Oh how Uncle Craig loved you as a puppy. We went out to dinner once at an outdoor cafe and he pretended you were his puppy, you were such a cutie pie! I remember coming back from Jamaica when you were 1.5 yrs old. Our friend Ben had been watching you. You figured out how to unzip the back cushion on the couch and took out all the stuffing. We walked in the door and it looked like you were laying on a cloud. When we brought Julia home from the hospital, you were by my side for every thing-feedings, diaper changes, walks, playing outside, folding laundry. You were always so gentle with her.

She used to take Kraft singles and wave them in front of your face and then run circles around the house with you chasing her. You never knocked her down, you were always patient. Some people have kids and their dogs become 'just a dog.' Not you. Never you. I spent as much time with you walking you and petting you as always. 

We moved to Texas when you were 3.5. I'll never forget the night before we left. We slept at Jill's, curled up on her leather couch together. We left early the next morning in the Honda. You were curled up in the front seat and I pet you the entire 15 hours of driving. Our house in Texas?

I chose it primarily for you. I wanted you to have a big yard to play in (throughout the years, dad has liked to say "it's all about Amelia." There is some truth to that). We quickly learned our new neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods with more epic walks. Luke came 9 months after we moved in. Once again, you were the best furry sister. He was a challenging baby, eating every 2h around the clock for months. You were my constant companion during every feeding. As the kids got older, you became part of their crew. If they were outside playing, you were outside playing.

You wanted to be part of the family, always. Every night, after reading to the kids, you and I would go on our evening walk. When we got back, you would come up and curl up in bed with me to read and then jump down when JD came up to sleep (or pretend you were asleep and try to stay up there with me, stinker!). As you got older, you would rotate between staying with me and sleeping with Julia on her bed. When it wasn't hot, you went with me for every drop off and pick up at daycare. Karma eventually came and lived with us for a few years and you guys bonded. We went on so many walks together. We brought Jillian home 2 years ago and while you definitely gave me a look of "Really Mom? Again?" You proved to be just as gentle with her as the others. 

Oh Amelia, last year I subjected you to two foster dogs, Jericho and Luna. You did great with them but I know you were happy to have me to yourself when they left. The vet has been telling me for years that the average life span for a lab is 10 to 12 years. I never believed it..not my Amelia Peabody. We walk 3-5 miles a day together! She gets 100 kisses a day! He told me 'Christine, 10-12 years.' We passed that 12 year mark, Amelia and you were doing great. Until the stick incident about a year ago. You somehow got a stick wedged on the roof of your mouth and after having anesthesia, you slowed down a lot. But we still walked, you still wanted to be with the kids and your appetite was in full force. 

In April, Luke and his friends threw a birthday party for you. 13! They made you cards and gave you carrots. They sang to you. It was the sweetest thing ever. Shortly thereafter you scared me half the death. You started drinking copious amounts of water and leaking urine everywhere. I took you to the vet sobbing thinking 'this is it.' Other than arthritis, all of your tests came back normal. I breathed a sign of relief. You started to really slow down and fell down the stairs a few times. You started sleeping downstairs and coming up a few times a week in the middle of the night.

You and I have walked the kids to school for the last 6 years. Last Monday, when we were halfway across the crosswalk in front of the school, you stopped moving. I was able to get you to the closest house on the corner and you laid down and couldn't get up. I flagged down a mom-friend and we loaded you into her trunk and drove you home. I took you to the vet the next day and he told me he was very concerned about you. You had lost a lot of weight since April and we had to carry you from the reception area to the vet exam room.

He suspected a tumor on your stomach or liver and told me it was time to prepare the kids. Oh Amelia, how I sobbed with you on the way home. He gave you a new pain medication and you honestly seemed pretty good. We were still walking at night, not far, but you were walking. I could tell your appetite was gone though. You would eat your medicine and leave the food, maybe eating a few bites. 

I'll never forget Saturday evening. We went for a walk, me, you and the kids. We walked down to the house around the corner so the kids could ride the tree swing. You were so happy to be out and walking. Little did we know that would be your last walk. On Sunday, the kids and I left for a triathlon at 4.30am. You were laying on the floor in the family room. You didn't get up when I came down but I didn't  think much of it because it was so early. I put food and water in your bowls and headed out. I got back at 2.30pm and you were in the same position. JD said he thought he had take you out.

I was preparing for Jillian's birthday party when I realized your food and water hadn't been touched. We had a house full of kids running around for the party and you didn't move, not one time. After everyone left, JD carried you outside to pee. He carried you back inside. I knew, that's when I knew, it was time to let you go. I called the vet first thing Monday morning. While there are several vets there, there is only one you liked and he was not working Monday. I left him a message to call me. I set up my laptop and worked next to you all day Monday. I carried you outside to use the bathroom in the middle of the day. It was raining (you hate the rain, I usually have to hold an umbrella over your head to get you to go outside and pee during a rainstorm). You were in the grass and kept trying to get up but your back legs wouldn't work. I carried you back inside and we spent the rest of the day together. 

Tuesday, one of the worst days of our life. The vet called and said he would come over at lunch. I gave Julia and Luke the option to come home and be with you, they both said yes. Julia and I were sobbing, Luke was stoic but I know he's upset. We all love you so much. We gave you a last meal of carrots, pill pockets and chocolate cupcakes. The vet came and I laid down next to you, petting you and telling you I love you the whole time. 

We've walked over 12,000 miles together (and that's a low estimate). I remember the time you got kicked out of Jacob's backyard for jumping in their pool and waking up his brother. The time you crashed our neighbors huge Indian celebration. The times you broke out of the back fence and walked around the greenspace on your own. All the times you ran up and down the street with the kids playing, going from house to house. You love to eat Barbie dolls (really, you ate every one of Julia's, you hunted for them in the toy bin). You love being outside but you hatedgetting your paws wet in the rain. You love to swim but hate baths. You saw your first ever snow in December 2017 and you weren't impressed. 

Christmas caroling? You were there. Girl Scout meetings? You sat in the circle at every one. Sleepovers? You hung out with the girls at every one. Lemonade stands? Yep, you were there. Road trips? We took you on every one we could. Reading with the kids? You were either at my feet or on Julia's bed, listening to the story. You've been on every Christmas card and birth announcement. 

Oh Amelia Peabody, we have had such an amazing life together. I should have been prepared for this, but I'm not. I am absolutely shattered. Everywhere I look in the house, I see you. We have spent almost every hour together for the last 9 years. Literally, Other than vacation and short work trips, we've been a team, you and I. I've never been in this house alone before. 

I see you everywhere. I see memories everywhere. I hope in time my sadness will be replaced by happiness at our adventures. You have never been 'just a dog.' You've always been my first born, furry baby. I love you I love you I love you. I am so sad that Jillian will never remember you. 

To my Amelia Peabody, the best dog that every lived. You have my heart, I love you.

Mommy

Last Amelia Snuggles

Amelia Peabody 4.10.2005 - 9.11.2018