There are the days in the life of your dog, where you celebrate all the little things in their life. For us, with Fritz, it was when we got his first baby picture.
We just fell in love with his little face and his fluffy white fur. I remember we could hardly wait to go and get him when he was eight weeks old.
Hubby flew out to Oregon then, and brought back our little bundle. He seemed to do well on the trip to his new home, riding in first class.
I remember when they reached us and I got my first chance to hold him. It was a milestone in his little life and mine.
I taught him to do his business outside. We went to class so Fritz could learn all about being a well mannered dog. He did so well graduating at the top of his class.
He became Hubby’s shadow, and followed him all around, even into the woods and down to our favorite lake, where he learned to swim and fetch sticks!
Or help him with our garden.
He has been a marvelous dog, with so much warmth and sensitivity. I think, perhaps the best White Shepherd that we have ever had. Not only is he handsome, and perfect in every way, but we both fell hopelessly in love with him.
I think this is why we are both having such a hard time watching Fritz slowly descend away from us with canine dementia.
He wanders off, and we now have to watch him very carefully. Where once, he would not leave Hubby’s side, he will disappear. In the evening, when we settle in to watch TV, he used to lie on his doggy bed and sleep, waiting for me to go to bed. Now, he finds the smallest place possible and hides away in there.
But for now, we will hold him, love him and care for him, until his time comes to leave us. It is so difficult, this long good bye, but then I think back to all the wonderful memories that we have shared, and being here for Fritz in his golden years is the least we can do, for a doggy that has given us so much.
