Sunday, December 22, 2024

Liam Leaves

 

Liam

8/1/2007-12/19/24

 

  

 

  • You made me a Mom.
  • My first born
  • My first dog

 

 

 

An equal mix of Beagle, Doxie, Dalmatian and Irish setter 

 Wow, what goes on in Tennessee! 

North Shore Animal League rescued you

We gotcha on 1/1/2008 my first official day of retirement from SSA


 

You were the last dog left at North Shore on New Year’s Day 2008


You were your own person as my mom Ruth would say


You were not trainable

Not by me nor professionals

When a ball was thrown you stared at it


You were a Leo

The strongest 

boldest

Fastest runner

My two black eyes and torn rotator cuff attest to that

 

 

You taught me from the beginning

How to be present. 

Live in the moment

See what is in front

Not what is behind


You

expanded my world

people

neighborhood

Social media 


We wrote a blog

We have many followers 


You were diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2022

Hyperthyroidism 

Rare in dogs


We decided no chemo

We did

Home hospice


We adjusted 


I became an expert in all sorts of cleaning 

As you tried and often lost your journey to do your business 

And your lipomas squirted blood at various times 

turning the house into a Crime scene 

reminiscent of a Dateline or 48 Hours episode 


You taught me

Care giving

Acceptance 

Forgiveness 

Patience 

Commitment 

 

You made things larger

My heart

My mind 

My network 

My knowledge 

 

You tried so hard to be a good dog

And you were the bravest dog 

You wanted to stay with us 

even on the last day when you cried in discomfort



People told me your death would be terrible 


I prepared for it from the day we brought you home


I told myself you were on loan to me


You rescued me


They were right 

it is terrible 


Love you forever Liam