I LOST MY SWEET DEXTER

HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND, MY CONFIDANT, MY CAMPING AND
EXPLORING BUDDY AND MY PARTNER IN CRIME.

HE WAS MY SON

I only had you for nine years and eight months, but during that time, you made every

aspect of my life better.

You made me want to be a better, nicer person by showing everyone your 

unconditional love.

You will forever be in our hearts. 💓💔💕

On August 29th, I got the news that no pet owner ever wants to hear.  Your boy

has cancer and there's nothing that can be done, except make the next few hours

as comfortable for him as we can.

I had been noticing a definite change in Dexter's behavior and energy level in the week

preceding his death, but I thought he was just having a tough time with heat.

On Sunday the 29th, I took him to the emergency vet and within two hours, I

got the dreaded call.

I had to make the very difficult, but right, decision to let him go, but at least I

could have another hour or so with him and I could be there at his side to the very end.

We laid down on the grass outside of the vet's office and reminisced about our life

together and relived our favorite memories.  He wasn't in pain, but he was very

uncomfortable.

While we were laying on the grass that night, the automatic sprinklers came on and

drove us off the grass and to the inevitable "cold, final room."  Since he was moving

so slowly, we both got pretty wet before we were able to get out of the path of those

sprinklers and into the office.

As I was laying with him for that final moment, a sense of calm came over me, 

as I realized that Dexter had never passed up an opportunity to get wet and now, 

in his final moments, he was a wet Labrador Retriever.

I laid down next to him and put my arms around him and just kept telling him

"I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," "I LOVE YOU," as

the doctor slowly pushed the syringe that would take away all of Dexter's pain.

As I was bawling, I felt the life leave my sweet boy and as heartbroken as I was

(and still am), he now looked so peaceful and calm that a certain sense of

relief came over me.  In the end, he had made it easier for me.

Now, his cremains are in a beautiful wooden box on the mantle above my fireplace,

where he can look out over his house and keep an eye on things.

I plan to take most of his ashes to a place that's sacred to me (those of you

who know me will probably know where I'm talking about) and scatter them.

I've already scattered the ashes of one of my best human friend's there and I've told

my kids that's where I want to be scattered too, so DEXTER, I'll be back with you

one of these days and I look forward to you licking my face again.

You're a good boy!

You were my constant companion...

You were a family man...

You were a goofball...

You were a master of the slumbering arts...

You were a guard dog...the friendly kind...

You were tolerant...

I LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH!