I don’t know how to start, so I guess I’ll just begin to move my fingers across the keys and sort of  see what appears.  Part of me wants to write something specifically to you so you would know how much you meant to our family for so very long.  That seems a bit silly now, given that you can’t read due to being a dog and all.  It seems on the verge of insanity given that you’ve left us. Even typing those words is harder than it ought to be.  What I will do is to try and let the word know (at least those who will read this) how freaking awesome you were.

Scooter was mine and Erin’s last tangible connection to the 1990s.  We got married in June of 99 and Scooter joined our family at the end of the year.  I don’t remember exactly when though.  Its funny, that when I showed up to get a dog, I was given explicit directions to select a female.  He wasn’t having any of that though.  I’d push him away and he come trotting back to me.  This game went on for several rounds before I acquiesced and decided that if I looked like that good of an option, then I’d deal with my new bride later.  In effect then, I didn’t select Scooter, he chose me.  Erin named him when I got home and selected Scooter because of how he’d scoot up your arm (being no bigger than my fist) and hide on your shoulder.

As the 90s gave way to the 2000s, he was there with us.  For every birthday, holiday, celebration, even accompanying us to the beach.  Man, did he love the beach.  Not the water, or chasing birds, or any of that normal dog beach stuff.  No, he liked to prance down the shore and let the breeze blow his ears back.  He loved that all the way until his last trip in 2015.  He also loved to shag golf balls.  I’d hit one 10 yards or so and he tear off after it and bring it back.  Balls were another favorite.  HIs ability to place a ball twice his size in his mouth was always impressive.  His energy knew no bounds either.  I’m glad we were young together.

Scooter’s world changed in January of 2003.  Erin and I brought home this little bundle.  She demanded lots of attention and he willingly shared.  Almost willingly.  He was protective of her from the start.  Later in 2003, we moved to Cary.  He was good with the move and enjoyed his new neighbors quite a bit.  Once we thought we had lost him, only to see him yards away happily chasing a huge red ball.  HIs gentle, fun-loving nature endeared him to all.  Some dogs just don’t seem to take to people-not Scooter.  In 2006, we added yet another daughter and Scooter proved to be every bit her little buddy, just as he had become to her big sister.

A move to Raleigh changed him very little.  It brought new mailmen to bark at and new trash guys from whom he had to protect our home.  He proved quite capable.  In his entire life, not one mailman or trash guy entered our home.  Well done, buddy.  While the move to Raleigh didn’t impact him, he was unable to stave off time.  Just as with all of us, as the years passed he became a step slower.  HIs unending reserves of energy became depleted.  When once he could play forever, he now had spurts where he forgot himself and was a puppy again.  HIs teeth began to fall out, his hearing became worse, and I’m not sure he could see all that well at the end.  What never left him, though, was his sniffer.  Without fail, when the magic box (range) was on, he was underfoot, trying to trip us to score whatever we might be cooking.  That too was gone, but not until those last days.

Now, as I sit here trying to figure out what to say, I look beside me and expect to see him in his nest happily snoring or licking something.  The house has a definite emptiness now.  I am taking this loss extremely hard.  Scooter was my buddy.  He listened patiently while I shared my hopes, my dreams, and my disappointments.  He kept me company on many nights when I didn’t feel well.  He was a constant companion who never passed judgement.  He simply loved us.  The girls, Erin, me-he only showed love and appreciation.  I think he knew he had it good.  Looking back on it now, I’m glad he chose me.

If you’ve stayed with me to this point, thanks.  This is not my normal post.  I had no plan, no pity observation.  Just a profound sense of loss that is keeping me from being as coherent as I’d like.  Scooter will forever be a part of our family.  There will be a time when I think on him and smile.  Right now, though is not that time, it still is just to hard to believe he’s not here.  To him I say, thank you.  You enriched our lives in ways I never knew, we’re going to miss you.  Wherever you are, I hope you are pain-free and full of life once again.