The Loss Of A Lab

We are a dog family. Our wedding gift to each other was a black Lab puppy we named Jake. Six months later we added Elwood, our yellow Lab. After yet another six months we saw an ad in the paper for chocolate Lab puppies. Although I signed the check for Baxter, I still blame my husband for adding him to our family. I was six months pregnant and very emotional. One look at Baxter’s puppy face and it was all over. He was ours.
For many years we were known as the family with the three Labs. If a Lab was running loose we’d often get calls. Our dogs seldom ran away but odds were good to check with us first. For a number of years it was a chaotic mix of puppy training, potty training and child rearing.
Sadly, we had to say goodbye to my buddy, my Baxter last week. Due to health and behavioral issues we faced the difficult decision to euthanize our pup. After nearly ten years of being greeted at the door, soggy old tennis ball hanging from the side of his mouth, his body shaking from the excitement of us arriving home, I turn the key and he’s not there. It’s a painful reminder that he’s gone.
I connected with Baxter. He was my running buddy and although never formally trained we were a good team. I taught him how to balance a tennis ball on his nose. He taught me how to be more optimistic.
Like any true Lab, he was an eternal optimist. If I didn’t want to play ball right now he’d wait. Staring at me for as long as it took. Eventually I’d get the hint and throw the ball. We were both persistent. If I go to enough spouse events at a new base, eventually I’ll find someone to befriend. If he’d roll the ball to someone enough times, eventually they’d throw it.
We are now a one-dog family. We had to find Jake a new home when three small children and three rambunctious dogs became too much. Graham was frequently out on missions and I didn’t have enough time to take care of everyone.
Our Elwood is the old lady of the house. As long as everyone is accounted for, she can be found taking a nap wherever the family congregates.
We have moved frequently during my husband’s career and there are definite times where it can be incredibly lonely. Our dogs buffered some of that.
With all of the uncertainties of living a military life it’s been nice to have a dog that is happy to be anywhere, as long as it’s where we are.
At the end of the day when the house is quite and the kids are asleep, I miss having a pile of Labs at my feet. They took care of me as much as I took care of them.