“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” ~Will Rogers

This is a tough one…I’ve procrastinated in writing this. A few weeks back, we made the decision to say goodbye to our Auggie. It was the most difficult decision we have ever had to make. Auggie was really Charles’ dog. The dog loved him so damn much, and he loved that damn dog.

I always joked that Auggie’s ideal living situation would have been on a deserted island with Charles. He never really cared much for other dogs. He tolerated his pack, but he would have preferred to be an “only dog.” He didn’t care for kids and he didn’t really like many other people…he really only had eyes for his Dad…oh, and he liked me when it was time for dinner and treats. HA!

Auggie had a tough exterior but was really a big baby. Over the years, he had several major medical procedures. He had TPLO surgery in both knees only 5 weeks apart. He was the only dog that I know that has had a root canal. As he aged, he certainly had his fair share of aches and pains. He started to develop fears of odd things around the house. And the hardest part, he started to get more protective of our home. This, ultimately, was the most difficult part of cohabitating with Auggie.

In the past few years, he had a two separate bite incidents. After the first, we went back to square one with his trainers. It was a bad combination of everything that could be wrong and we worked so hard to prevent it again. Two years later, it happened again. He bit a contractor in our home that reached over a gate to pet him. I really couldn’t fault Auggie. The blame fell back on me. As a dog Mom, I had failed our boy. While I could have kept him locked up all the time in a crate, I didn’t. I thought a gate would have been sufficient. Neither incident did much damage, but we would never have been able to forgive ourselves if the third time did.

BUT, let’s get back to what made Auggie, Auggie. Auggie did everything. Seriously. From agility, to tricks class, to graduating as a Canine Good Citizen, to attending the Braves Bark In the Park. He was a reality TV star and tried out for Beverly Hills Chihuahua. He got a call back for a MilkBone commercial. He recently (within the past few years) learned to swim and really embraced his ability to not sink last summer in our pool. He was an assistant rowing coach with his Dad. He had a high pitched gurgle that sounded like a yodel. He could go from the deepest of sleeps to the front door in three seconds if you said “your Daddy’s home!” He had night terrors when he would sleep in the bed with me that he couldn’t be woken up from. He was frequently referred to as the “Flying Nun” because of his ears. Most of all, he was our first baby. Auggie was the first pup that Charles and I got together. There were many more to follow, but he did and will always hold a special place in my heart.

To the dog that did everything…run with the angels sweet boy.

We will love you for always.