Goodbye Lady

We lost our best friend last night...our little brown dog named Lady. The one that always perked up her ears and wagged her small tail when we entered the house. She was Steven's companion for 7 years and mine for the last 2 since we have been married. Many days were enjoyed chasing tennis balls in the fenced in back yard on Harrison Road followed by evening walks around the neighborhood. She could find a tennis ball anywhere and would happily entertain you as she bounded on all four legs waiting for you to throw the ball for her. As the ball was released, she would dash for it and squeal with excitement during the search for the round toy covered in green fuzz, just so she could return it to us. In the summer months, she could be spotted on the front of our Bayliner boat cruising around Lake Murray with friends from church. Sunday afternoons were complete with Lady in the park downtown in Columbia when it was too cold for the lake. She attended many parties and social gatherings....running into a group of people waiting to see who would pet her first. As a hand was extended she would stretch out on her tummy with back legs out to enjoy the attention. Lady never met a stranger and was loved by many. On river trips in a canoe, she could be spotted in her bright yellow life jacket, ready to swim with us whenever she had the chance. During hunting seasons, Steven would take her as his first hand assistant to retrieve ducks from the water after shots were fired. She anxiously awaited those mornings at our front door when he arose early to prepare for the hunt. Traveling was one of her favorite things to do...she has been to Washington three times and to North Carolina at least four times, all in the back of the Nissan truck, her home on wheels. Her most recent adventure was with us on a road trip from Columbia, South Carolina to Stehekin, Washington after we decided to move west for a few years. She happily sat on her bed (several blankets and rugs) in the back of the truck and watched the sites pass way eagerly waiting for the next stop. Her summer here in Stehekin was any dog's dream. We saw her several times throughout the day, but always at lunch time when Steven and I would both meet at the house during a break from our work. She'd meet us at the door with tail wagging. At times, one would arrive before the other and she would then wait on the front porch for the truck to pull into the driveway and run out the back door to meet the other. Every evening, she hopped in the back of truck to travel to friend's houses for dinner, the school for sports, or just a walk to enjoy the scenery. Many afternoons we would arrive at home to find her playing in the Lake across the street from our house, always looking for some kids to through sticks into the water. She was a great companion, friend, and dog to both us...one that will never be replaced. Lady become sick over the past week and as we thought she was getting better, she actually took a turn for the worst last night. We called vets and tried everything we could...having a flight already arranged for her and Steven to go down lake to see a vet first thing this morning. Throughout the night we stayed with her on the floor and then we shed many tears as her breathing changed and she faded away. At 3:40 am this morning, we sat goodbye to our friend, our Lady.