I have had a wonderful, beautiful dog named Lady.

She was a Spitz/Lab mix, medium size with the cutest splotches of dusty-brown on her furry white coat. She always looked like she was smiling and would wag her curled & feathered tail every time she saw you.

She was a love hound–she could never get enough attention! Sweet and attentive she was always happy to have you there with her and would protect you with her life. She gave lots of kisses and snuggles and sneezes (a running joke!) when she got excited.

A very well-tempered dog who loved the outdoors, especially during the winter. She would want to be outside at the first sign of snow, and would create little paths through the backyard when it was deep enough. She just loved snow! We would take her out to the country for walks and hunting and she got such a thrill chasing the squirrels and bounding through the leaves! You could feel her joy at being outside with her family radiate from her solid little body.

I remember her soft, silky ears, the scruffy fur around her neck, spotted paws and “pantouffles” as we called the fringe on her legs. Giant white dust bunnies were no stranger in our house! She had really bad breath and earned the affectionate name “Stinky Dog” which I used regularly.

Lady was old when we got her. We were her third and final home. She was around 7 years old when we got her, and never did learn how to play with doggie toys. She always preferred to play chase in the yard with us. She guarded our home from intruders and errant wildlife, but didn’t really bark all that much.

She was, by any definition, A Very Good Dog.

Lady was 14, and she just passed this week, quietly, contentedly in her sleep. My brother and dad took her out to our hunting grounds, which was her favourite place to frolic. She was buried with her doggie bed that I made her.

Lady passed away the afternoon of Monday, April 12th, 2010. I did not find out until the following Saturday when I went home for a visit. My parents wisely spared me the news so that they could be there for me when I found out.

Oh how my heart aches for her!

I never got to say goodbye. The last time I saw her was at Easter. While she died a good death and lived a wonderful doggie life, I am deep in mourning for her. I miss her so much.

I moved away from home 3 years ago, but I still loved to have her around when I went home to visit. Her presence always soothed me and comforted me, but I never really realized it until I lost her.

Oh Lady. I love you, and I miss you my dearest.