Saying Goodbye to an old friend...

Two weeks ago we spent a very emotional night saying goodbye to our dog, Cooter. He was the best dog in the world. He was about 15 years old and had not been doing well. He was having trouble getting up and walking around. Although, I'm sure he was in some pain at the end of his life he still remained the sweetest dog. You would think that if you were in pain or hurting you might be a little bit grumpy. Not Cooter. He just kept smiling and loving all of us.

This was a very hard decision to make and we are so blessed to have a Vet that came to our house to help us. All of Ron's siblings came to say goodbye to Cooter and support us.


I haven't cried that much in a long time. I just kept petting his head to make sure I would remember how soft he was and told him how much we loved him.



Ron found a special spot in our yard to bury Cooter. Ron's brothers helped him dig the hole. Ron's brother Roger said a prayer over Cooter's grave that was so beautiful and appropriate. They really are part of your family. My sister in-law brought us dinner. We also had several friends stop in and say goodbye too. My mother in-law joked that she hopes that this many people show up to her funeral. What can I say he was a well known dog. We love you Cooter and miss you tons!

Friends...

I know that Bodie is in his pajamas in both of the album pages that I have posted. What can I say? He is the last one to get up. Getting him dressed is the lowest thing on my priority list because I am busy all morning doing things to get the other two out the door. He usually gets his bath in the afternoon anyway so it works out well somedays to just stay in the old pjs. Don't worry I get him dressed when we go places.

Two Hundred and Eighty Eight...

He is getting so old. His hips are really bothering him. All that said he still follows us around when we are outside playing.

One hundred and twenty-eight...

A boy and his dog...

Cooter was trying to nap in the sun and Bodie wanted to give him loves....they really do love each other. They often just take turns following each other around the yard, watching out for each other. Bodie fills Cooter's bowl with food and pats his knees to get him to come. They are best buds.

Twenty-three...

He got to play outside today twice. We have been enjoying the dry weather. But it is still super cold.

Eleven

This is our cat, CJ, and our dog, Cooter. Cooter is named after, well Cooter the car mechanic, from the Dukes of Hazzard. Man, that is embarrassing. Two Dukes references in the first week of my blog everyday about the Shinkle household. CJ stands for Cooter Junior. I know, how original. However, over time he has been called all sorts of other things. For example, Chicken, Chickers, Bic, Bicker, Silly lil Bicker, Son of a Bicker (sorry but I want this to be complete), Flea Flicker, Flick, Flea and Niner (he had an accident with one of his toes when he was a kitten).

Now that the introductions are done. The cat and dog sometimes like to cuddle. I drove up the driveway one day and there they were. I had my camera handy in the car and snapped these shots. Chickers obviously, wanted nothing to do with it and got out of there. Leaving...

...Cooter. He has also been called Cooter-bear, Doggie, Iggy, Furry Bear, The Furriest Bear That Ever Was Furry and Flippity Flop (that's what his ears do when he runs).