I still remember the first day we adopted you. I was over at my cousins house when I get the call from my parents asking if I wanted to ride and come get you. Naturally,
I said yes and I would say yes again and again. You were supposed to be the first of your litter to go but you ended up being the last but you were mine.

I Can still imagine you chasing me around the counter in the kitchen and getting mad when you couldn’t catch me. That’s when you’d get onto the counter and steal a towel so then I’m having to chase you. Sometimes, you were too clever for your own good.

You had an internal timer and knew when it was time for “your bite.” It drove my dad crazy that without fail but you always got it. You were never a picky dog but you didn’t like your green leafy veggies or rice. You always managed to eat around those. When the fridge opened you expected a slice of lunch meat and you always got one. When the drawer opened that had your treats you expected one and you got it.

You definitely had selective hearing. In a casual conversation you could pick out the words “to-go” “ride” “walk” “treat” and “my room”. If any of those words were mentioned you’d jump up and down with excitement. We could fill our cups up with ice and you always knew you’d get a piece. I could pull out a treat and say “my room” and you’d go running to my bedroom. That’s how I knew you were mine. You knew my bed and my bedtime schedule.

You weren’t the most active dog but we still had fun. The first time we brought you swimming I was terrified that you’d drown. I didn’t think you could do it because you had never been near deep water like that. But boy was I wrong, I suppose the retriever in you kicked in because you needed no training. We played fetch for maybe 15 seconds before you’d lay on the ground beside me, exhausted. You would run up and down the fence line chasing the back door neighbors dogs.

Seth and I could pretend fight and you always chose my side. Even if I was the instigator you started attacking Seth. You were the biggest goofball there ever was but you were also my guardian Angel. One time, you even got into a dog fight because the other dog tried to lunge at me. They say the worst thing you can do is stick your hand in a dogfight but that wasn’t even my concern. I reached my hand in and pulled you back into the house locking the doors as if the dog could open it.

You were never an aggressive dog. You never started fights you just didn’t realize you were over 100 pounds. Those who didn’t know you thought you were a mean dog but you were far from it. I always said if someone broke into our house you would welcome them with open paws.

I’m not a snuggler but you were my snuggle buddy. When we went to sleep you’d curl up next to me and wouldn’t move till I feel asleep; though, I could always feel you moving. You would curl up next to me on the couch and rest your head in my lap. Oh how I will miss those days.

Anyone who knew me knew you. I never missed an opportunity to show your pictures. Why would I? Especially with a handsome face like that. Even my patients knew you when pets got brought up. I remember a patient and I spending five minutes just showing each other pictures of our dogs.

But then tragedy struck. A few days before my wedding your breathing was funny. You were struggling. So my mom and I rushed you to the emergency vet where they told us you had a paralyzed larynx. That then progressed to cancer and you slowly got worse. You could barely eat and drink. You could no longer go for walks or car rides. You never touched our plates for leftovers and you struggled to climb onto the bed. Despite all this you were still as happy as could be. People would walk through the door and you’d go running to them.

It is so hard to say goodbye and if life were fair I wouldn’t have to. Some people will say “he was just a dog” and they’re right. You were just a dog… to them. To me… you were MY dog. You ARE my baby. I feel as though part of my heart has been ripped clean out and the pain is indescribable but I will never forget the time I was given with you. Aurum, you are missed so much.