Peanut .... just shy of 17

 About 17 years ago, our daughter while in college asked if we'd chip in financially to get her a new puppy.  I don't remember if it was 300 or 500, but I was initially thinking "oh hell no!" .. get a mutt, for free!   Well, I got out voted by the two women in my life and ponied up the cash.  In hind sight, best money I've ever spent .... She and a girlfriend each got Puggles, that were siblings.  Male and Female.   I'd never heard of a Puggle back then; a breed that initiated from Pugs and Beagles.   Best of both worlds I guess.   Well, soon she visited us and brought the lil guy home.  Once in the home, he was on fire.  Jumping on all the furniture, hauling ass throughout the home.  I was soon yelling for my daughter to get control of him, before he ruined my furniture.  Before he broke something in the house.  Lets just say by the time she got him under control, tears were flowing and I looked like an asshole. We had a couple of labs at the time and they were NOT allowed on the furniture.  I mean .. who does that? They're dogs, for Pete's Sake!

Well, fast forward about five years and she's living in NYC and visiting us in Galveston.  Peanut had to fly in the plane's cargo area due to his size and ..  his snout (Pug heritage) was always an issue with AA due to issues breathing etc.  Well, when she visited us that trip she had a second puppy in tow and had her hands full.  I'd visited here a few times in NYC and actually felt bad for Peanut's 'life' there.  Walks sucked.  Potty breaks sucked.  I still think, NYC itself sucks.  Well, when she returned she asked if we'd send Peanut back in a few weeks so she only had to deal with a single dog on the return flight.  Made sense, so Daddy agreed.   Over the next week(s) our love for Peanut exploded exponentially and .... I made a decision.   We asked her if we could keep him.  Thank the lord she agreed.   Peanuts next phase of life began. OUR, next phase began.

We'd finally adjusted to a few of his quirks.  He LOVED to eat so ... you had to pay attention to portions.  You had to lock down the pantry or he'd find the dog food (We still had our two labs).  Had to lock down the kitchen trash can or he'd figure out a way to rummage through it all. Women had to store their purses away from him or he'd find gum ...  chapstick .. you name it in them.  You had to watch him outside or he'd take off into the woods.  You had to make sure there was no cow shit or horse shit from the neighbors animals wandering into our acerage; for some reason the lil squirt would roll in it!  Apparently some of it appeared to be edible as well; nasty!   On a positive note, he allowed one to shower him with no issues.  Loved to scream around the house once you dried him off and....   he changed our behaviour with the furniture.   For the first time, we allowed a dog on it.  Blankets solve everything so his fav chairs had a blanket.  The couches he liked?  Blankets.  Outside?  We got a deal that was about 2" off the ground ... with a blanket.  Our bed?  For the first time in our lives we allowed a dog in our bed.. and at the bottom?  His blanket(s).  Our life had truly changed; for the better.  

Over the years, we'd buy new furniture based on this lil guy.  Chairs were replaced by Love Seats so he had room.  New vehicle?  Had to make sure we had room for trips.  My last one (Grand Wagoneer) I used the excuse that we needed more room for the lil guy and ... he had a limo back there with blankets and pillows and whatever else he needed/wanted.  Let just say ... the life of Peanut wasn't too bad.  I'm sure there are dozens of folks reading this that do the same for their babies.

Over the years I've seen things.  Heard stories.  When it's time for our pets at the end of their lives, what they'd go through.  I swore I'd never let my pet(s) suffer.  When my labs were 14 and they started having issues, decisions were made.  Magic was in excruciating pain a few times due to a neck issue so we had him put to 'sleep.'.  To this day, I've wondered if I could have done more; should have done more.  Cooper got to where he was falling down using steps and where he couldn't hold himself up when doing his business, so made the hard decision.  To this day, I wonder if I could have done more; should have done more.  Well, we'd noticed Peanut having issues over the last six months.  He'd get confused on where he was.  Had esophagus issues, but we worked through most of those, with medication.  I was becoming  convinced, him making it to his 17th Bday this summer may not happen.  But the lil guy has been a rockstar.  Lucy the last several years made all his food.  Kept his portions in check.   We gave him healthy snacks.  Lil guy was a rockstar and wondered if he might prove  us wrong and make to 18?  Well, this past Wednesday we believe he had a stroke while sleeping.   After a long crazy night, he wasn't the same.  Had trouble walking.  Had trouble eating.  I held him up outside while he was doing his business.  Then the next day he was better, so we weren't sure what to do.  But, we tried to keep a close eye out for him.   He had a couple of issues falling and we decided Saturday ... it was time.  But... try and find a solution on the weekend in today's world and ... good luck.  I was sick to my stomach and pissed.

Yesterday morning I'd wake up at 0530 .. everything 'normal'.  Wake up at 0730 and the lil guy was taking his last breaths.  Held him for the next fifteen minutes, while his beautiful life came to a finale.  Last just say ...  was a lil tough on my end.

Losing my older sis about fifteen years ago was brutal and F'd with me for a couple of years.  Lost my mom a decade ago and was hard, ripped my heart out... but ... I was with her when she passed and she was truly in a better place which made it 'easier' to deal with.  My two labs?  Ripped my heart out probably because I had to play a part in it.  Before them was Bear, my wolf-malamute.  Same thing.  Before him was Sheena we had for over twelve years.. same thing.  But ... this time.  This one... Peanut.... brought me to my knees.  He slept with us every night.  Went almost everywhere with us and when he couldn't, we had friends and / or family stay at our home with him. Our entire lives revolved around the lil guy.  And he got along with pretty much everyone.... even other dogs.  He was just a laid back, cool lil guy.  And now.. .he's in a better place.  But...  I wish maybe.. .we had taken him somewhere last week.  But then.... like my labs... I'd have wondered.  As I type this ... 'is what it is.'

Now, it's time to take a break. We're not going to run off and find another pet to fill the void.  We're going to turn a page into a new Chapter for a few years.  This will be the first time in the last 35 years, I'll be without a four legged furry guy or two, by my side.  We've suddenly found ourselves in a 'empty nest' situation and are going to take advantage of it.  Then, a few years from now...   we'll share our love with a furry friend .. or two .. or   ? .  Probably 'rescues.'

Never thought I could have loved a pet this much. 

Rest In Peace Peanut.