Goodbye to a Class Act
Our dog Boo passed away last night. It was quite unexpected. She was only about 7 years old. She was her normal loving self, cuddled up to my side one minute and when I left the room and came back, she was gone.
I remember the first time that I saw Boo. It was a cold morning in Arkansas and we were visiting my husband’s family. We’d arrived very late at night, just the night before. I stepped out onto their front porch with morning coffee and noticed a dog “statue” on the edge of the driveway. I thought to myself, “awwwww, how cute” and looked away. As I turned to go back into the house, I gave a brief glance back and noticed the statue’s head was now turned towards me. WHAT!? I sat down on the front steps and called her over to me. It was love at first sight. She snorted, gleeked (flung droplets of spit) with that huge tongue and cuddled against me and we each gained a new friend.
It turns out she had been Robert’s Grandmother’s dog. When Grannie passed away, Robert’s brother had taken her in but there was not really a bond there. They were happy to let Boo come home to Texas with us. Boo fit in immediately and became an integral part of our family. My kids loved her and even our big dog Hercules seemed to not only tolerate her but develop a fondness for her.
Boo bonded with me immediately and became my little shadow. If I went out of town, she never left her bed. When I’d come home she’d race through the house as fast as her little pug legs could take her in her joy that her friend was home. Whenever I sat or laid on the couch she was right there as close to me as she could get. We called her my “growth” because she’d try so hard to attach herself to me by being as close as possible.
She was my protector of all things noisy. She’d attack a lawn mower or vacuum cleaner in order to keep me safe. She hated thunder storms and would bark with each thunder clap. Ironically, the only time she could get her entire tongue in her mouth was when she barked… and just for a split second.
Watching her try to reach an itch on her back was several minutes of pure entertainment at a time. She snuggled by my side on the couch every night and just wanted to be up close to her people. Even with her tongue hanging out of her mouth, she was a true lady and a great family member.
Her tongue was another source of constant amusement to our household and all that visited here. The first question everyone would ask was if she could get the whole tongue in her mouth…. the answer “No, it’s about 4 inches too long for her mouth, but she tries really hard”….. and we usually backed that up with a warning of “Careful, she can lick you from there!”
Boo was definitely a Class Act. She tolerated the poking, prodding and chasing of children like a saint. I blogged about her once before, about how I never expected my job duties of being a stay at home mom to include being a dog bodyguard (it’s one of my favorite posts, so I hope you have time to read it). But yes, I was her protector and she was my faithful friend.
In the end, she died with her tongue in her mouth–she finally managed to do it, after all.
Boo will be missed for a long time to come. There is no replacing her.
Rest in Peace my “Boo Doo”, my faithful friend.
Ah..this makes me very sad with y’all. So sorry for your loss of a faithful companion and friend of your whole family.
Yes… this was very sad. And at 1:30 am… we were at a bit of a loss as what to do.
Boo was a very sweet lovable pup. I’ll miss her stubby little hop when I walk in the door after work. And her couch-snuggles.
Nancy – so sorry for your loss of Boo. I had tears reading about your sweet little dog.
Nancy, so sorry for your loss. What a sweet story of your first meeting and friendship with Boo.
Carrie´s last blog ..Can you hear me??
HUGS Nancy…. I loved little Boo so much too- she had a way of getting into your heart didn’t she! I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll remember our night time cuddles on the sofa bed, her slobbery kisses, her snorts and snores and squiggling to get as close to me as she could especially on the stormy night. I think she was the most adorable thing in the world!!!
I am grateful to have had a little more time last month with her and will miss her too. xoxoxoxo
Oh so sorry to hear of your loss! It’s heartbreaking. I’ve lost so many over the years and it is never an easy thing to endure, no matter what! Missy, our black lab, died at 6, leaving little Mondo (the yorkiepoo) alone and devastated 2 yrs ago. Altho we have tried adopting a “replacement” – clearly there is none. Hugs to you and the fam.
suzen´s last blog ..The Comedy of Words – Language is Funny!
Aw . . . I am so, so sorry . . .
Lis Garrett´s last blog ..crazy writer dreams
this made me cry. As a pug mother I totally understand the bond you and Boo shared. they are special little dogs. I am so sorry she left you so soon
So sorry for your loss! such a sweet story!!! I have had pets that have had to be put to sleep and it’s the worst!!
Boo was such a cutie!!! 