Goodbye Reggie

It is with a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes that we say goodbye to our Reggie White. Reggie first came to us from an animal rescue place because his previous owner had thrown him from a car, abandoned. I have never been able to figure out why anyone would have done that to such a sweet dog. He has been the best damn dog anyone could ask for.

When we first got him, he was gentle and playful with the girls. Audrey used to put her hand in his mouth, and he would never bite down. That is why she knew when Noah was born that he would be safe with Reggie. That dog put up with a lot -- Sometimes he played the part of a horse, or he would be your pillow while you watched TV. He would never growl, bark or bite if someone tugged at his tail or ears. Not only did he welcome newborn Noah and all that toddlerhood brought, but when we adopted 2 kittens, he daddied them like the gentle soul that he was. He would lick them clean, let them lay on him to take naps, and even let them eat his food.

Then when Maggie arrived, all bubbly and ready to play, he took care of her too. He showed her how to run as fast as you possibly could from one end of the house to the other, then turn around and run back. You didn't have to have a reason, sometimes it just felt good to run. He took good care of Maggie too, cleaning her, playing with her, and snuggling with her. She is a little lost without him right now. Yesterday when I tied her up to go potty, she just sat at the door waiting patiently for me to let her in --- it was Reggie's job to bark and let us know they were done "doing their business."

He loved to play catch. I would say fetch, but in his younger years, sometimes he would just catch the frisbee or tennis ball and keep going. There are frisbees and tennis balls all over DeForest, hidden by Reggie. We met many a neighbor when they called asking if we had lost a white dog. All commented on how well behaved he was and many offered to adopt him. He loved to swim in the lake and go camping with us. I always felt safer knowing he was on watch. He loved to be close to us. He would follow you all around the house, and whenever you stopped, he lay down at your feet -- sometimes behind you, so if you weren't careful, you'd end up on your nose when you turned around.

Unfortunately, after 13 1/2 years he was ready to take his final nap. He did that with love and grace also. The look in his eyes and the final wag of his tail said it all, "I've loved you all, and this has been fun, but I'm so very tired." No matter how long you know it's coming or how prepared you think you are, it breaks your heart to have to say goodbye. We will miss Reggie terribly. There will never be another dog like him, but we thank God for blessing us with him.