Lainie is in Doggy Heaven.

Lainie

Age 13, October 06, 1995 - September 18, 2009

In memory of Lainie, To the best friend and companion we could ask for! We love you!!!

Nickname: Lou Lou

Lainie, Lou Lou! You were such a sweet dog. We loved you so much! We can't believe that 14 years went by so quickly. What a wonderful life we've had because of you!!!

Where do you begin when you try to sum up the past 14 years? You've been with us as long as we've been together. I still remember that day we went and picked you out. We wanted a dog that wouldn't be too big or have too many spots. So we picked you because you were one of the smallest and you only had one spot on your face, right between your eyes. Your wrinkly skin and pink nose were too adorable for words! We were so excited that Thanksgiving weekend when we finally got to bring you home. Thank goodness for unconditional love, we were so clueless of what to even do with a puppy!

The months progressed, we got married and made a move to the big city. Only to quickly find out you were a country dog at heart and would run away any chance you got! This started the long list of stories starting with this phrase "Do you remember the time Lainie ran away...? ". Fortunately we were able to get you back each time. You were a crazy, hyper puppy and destroyed bedspreads, blankets, shoe after shoe, furniture, carpet, screen doors, and did I mention shoes? It's fun to laugh about now!!

You had the most photogenic face and LOVED to pose for the camera! The way you would tilt your head just right, look right into the camera and give a big smile will forever make me smile!

What a great pair you and I made! We spent so many hours together, you were my perfect little shadow. Daddy was gone so many hours, you and I would just hang out, you would lay by me while I worked on projects or did chores. And you always knew when I needed that special hug or just quiet time if I was sad. (The best hugs were always in the bathroom!!!)

The years progressed and you started to slow down a little. We got a brother for you hoping to help keep you young for just a little longer... Little did we know it would give us four more wonderful years with you! How lucky for us. You actually started moving better (even if it was to get after him).

Then, you started to slow down a bit, you would have to rock a little when you wanted to stand up, I'd have to talk a little bit louder for you to hear me, you lost the sparkle in your eye, and refused to look at a camera (hating your picture taken).

We knew the time would be coming near and hoped everyday you would go peacefully in your sleep and we wouldn't have to make the decision for you. But the last couple of months we've been on a roller coaster ride. Knowing we would possibly need to help you one last time. You were in so much pain and never once complained. We started thinking about what would be the least traumatic way to help you go and decided to have someone come to the house.

The last couple of weeks have had a few great moments here and there... My favorite memory is when you had a burst of energy and ran away one last time. You were going for a walk whether I came with you or not. I even had to run a little to catch up with you and convince you really hard that it was in your best interest to head back to the house.

The Sunday before you died you spent about 7 hours sleeping and we knew it was time. Now for the hard part... The next day I made the dreadful call to the Vet and told him we thought it was time... He called me back Tuesday and said he could fit us in that day or on Friday. So Friday the 18th it was. How formal and eerie to put that on the calendar!

You spent the rest of the week sleeping most of the day, getting up a bit toward evening, and having miserable nights in pain. Wednesday was a very rough day, in fact daddy even gave you your last egg that night when he got home. Friday morning quickly came. The anticipation was terrible. We were so so sad for what was going to happen. We just spent the morning hanging out with you, we knew you knew. You wouldn't look us in the eye, but would let us lay by you and love on you.

We were so blessed to have your vet come to our house. He came, and you got up to greet your last guest. Head down, limping, no tail wagging, no smile, no sparkle, but did it anyway. We laid you on your red blanket in front of the fireplace for one last time. Daddy and I laid by you, hugged you one last time and said goodbye. And then the vet came in...Oh what a relief for us to see you finally not in pain. As you fell asleep we saw such a peace come over your body, we think you were in a lot more pain than you would ever let on. I was there by your head to snuggle you and daddy was right there too. When the vet gave you the last shot your tired heart stopped before he was even done. What peace, we knew immediately you were no longer in pain, that you were now running full speed, no pain, wind flapping in your ears and that smile and sparkle were back on your adorable face!

Your vet made a very sad day be the best it could be. He was wonderful. We couldn't say enough about how compassionate he was toward you! He picked you up, let us hug you one last time and gently carried you out. You may be gone but you will forever be in our hearts!

We love you Lanie, Lou Lou!!!!