Seems like my summer has been filled with goodbyes. That's the way life goes, though. This is Alaska. I took this photo about a year ago. That's my brother in the background, holding her. He loves to baby his dogs. :) Alaska has been part of my family for a little over fifteen years. A couple of weeks ago, it was finally time to tell her goodbye... poor thing has been a trooper! She has lived through the torment of five kids, and later five grandkids! She has been our companion, and even our protector. My goofy sister, probably around twelve years old at the time, affectionately gave her the middle name of Marie. Who knows. You'd have to know my sister!
I didn't live at home for very long during the time Alaska was part of the family. I was already eighteen years old, and getting ready to start my own life. But I hardly remember our family without her. It just seems like she has always been around!
When my husband and I were first married, I worked at a place near my parents' home and would often come home for lunch. Sweet Alaska would sit on the kitchen floor, next to my chair and just soak up the attention while I chatted with my mom.
I remember wondering how she would be when I first brought home our firstborn son. She had never been around babies before (my youngest brother was probably around 4 years old, or so, when she joined the family). I had no idea how she might react. It didn't take her long at all to warm up to him. In fact, she loved to lie down next to him, almost as if she were mothering him, making sure no harm would come to him.
Those are a couple of my own memories of Alaska. And I know each of my siblings have their own as well. She has also been next to my mom's side, as she has let everyone one of us, out from under her wing. I would even imagine my dad could conjure up some good memories, if he really tried. :) (He's not much of a dog person! :)
This weekend was the first time I'd been to visit my parents without that silly dog, under foot and in everyone's way. I'm sure, like me, everyone notices the absence of her presence. My boys certainly do. But isn't a blessing, the joy that a pet can bring? I'm thankful for the memories I have of her, and I'm glad to have had her as a part of our family.
I didn't live at home for very long during the time Alaska was part of the family. I was already eighteen years old, and getting ready to start my own life. But I hardly remember our family without her. It just seems like she has always been around!
When my husband and I were first married, I worked at a place near my parents' home and would often come home for lunch. Sweet Alaska would sit on the kitchen floor, next to my chair and just soak up the attention while I chatted with my mom.
I remember wondering how she would be when I first brought home our firstborn son. She had never been around babies before (my youngest brother was probably around 4 years old, or so, when she joined the family). I had no idea how she might react. It didn't take her long at all to warm up to him. In fact, she loved to lie down next to him, almost as if she were mothering him, making sure no harm would come to him.
Those are a couple of my own memories of Alaska. And I know each of my siblings have their own as well. She has also been next to my mom's side, as she has let everyone one of us, out from under her wing. I would even imagine my dad could conjure up some good memories, if he really tried. :) (He's not much of a dog person! :)
This weekend was the first time I'd been to visit my parents without that silly dog, under foot and in everyone's way. I'm sure, like me, everyone notices the absence of her presence. My boys certainly do. But isn't a blessing, the joy that a pet can bring? I'm thankful for the memories I have of her, and I'm glad to have had her as a part of our family.
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