memories of our dog {for my family}

is it coincidence that Marley and Me was playing nonstop on tv tonight...? well, i watched it. tears... but i got this quote from owen wilson's character...

"a dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes... a water logged stick will do just fine. a dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb... give him your heart and he'll give you his. how many people can you say that about... how many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? how many people can make you feel extraordinary?"


so sweet and so very true. jonas was a once in a lifetime companion. yes, he had a habit of sliming the leg of your pants... daily, a knack for getting right in the way of where you planned to walk, eyes that could make you feel guilty for not petting him 23 of the 24 hours in the day, and a way of stealing the lunchmeat off of the counter and then denying it was him on video playback- aha! caught'cha!! :)

BUT, but, but, he only did these things because he was, after all, a dog... a dog who loved us. and as my mom once lovingly said "Jonas, stop being a dog!" :) and she said this because for so many years being a part of our family, being so smart, being so emotionally connected, he seemed like just one of us... not really just a dog. he was a family member in the truest sense. and that makes letting go hard. he lived with all of my family at different points of his life. how many times did he travel up and down I35? i honestly couldn't tell you. he grew up running the dog parks of austin... then learning what 8-5 means, living with babies, almost being sold and then rescued by a fiance. he lived in north texas, south texas, then north texas again... then south texas again. we just couldn't let this special guy go because no one would "get him" like we did :)



most who knew him loved him too, because as my sister pointed out... he knew how to make people feel special. he could give the best hugs just by leaning on your leg. he was always there when you needed a friend and always there even when you didn't :) he was always excited to see you and always ready to go outside... in and out, in and out.....





i can recall him eating baskets, candles, paper, gum, CD cases, muffins, cake, chocolate, scone mix, banana bread, lunch meat, shoes... i'm sure i'm forgetting some really good ones. and treats... lots of treats :) he hated luggage, thunderstorms and fireworks (going as far as to re-rip screens off the door) and he was totally and fully committed to having an attachment disorder. he needed people and he was smart. he learned to sit and stay after being taught once and he tried his best to follow through, he could point, he could jump, he could "get the bird", he loved a tennis ball, he loved rolling on tennis balls, he loved to drink from the pool with his paws in it, he howled when you got home after he had been missing you, he was gentle with nana and she loved him, he knew what the sound of peeling an apple sounded like (and that he would probably get a piece), he could "talk to you", he had the softest ears, his tail was so cute with a long grown out tuft on it, he loved rolling on the floor with dad, he had such relentless spirit and life, he did what he was told even when he didn't want to... hanging his head to let you he was being obedient... i could go on forever about him because he was just the best! but, he knew that :) and i'm so GLAD he did! he knew and felt the love- that's why he had such a great personality, such a happy heart. how many nicknames did he have? hundreds! one for every day of the year and that's how often we will remember him. always. we love you Jonas, see you on the other side of the pearly gates sweet boy cause we know you're there waiting for us!! :)

xoxoxo