Tex

*I have been wanting to write this post for a long time, but I have never been able to finish it.

We had to relieve our sweet friend, Tex, from pain on this earth two months ago. Tex was the best dog any one could have. We got Tex when he was 8 weeks old from the humane society. He was so sweet and cuddly and wonderful. We walked every single day. When I would blow dry my hair, he would bring his ball, drop it at my feet, and I would kick it...and we would do that over and over again until I was done. He was a good puppy. He didn't get into too much trouble, except that he would tear books apart when we left him. I started just leaving phone books out for him to tear up and then he stopped.

Tex taught David and me so much. I tell everyone that he taught us how to be parents. He was the first thing in our lives that really caused us to think beyond ourselves. We had to take care of him, discipline him, love him.

Tex was so great with the boys. He was tender with them from the moment that we brought Sam home. He, of course, woke them up with his barks at times, but he also let them do whatever they wanted to him. They loved to throw the ball with Tex and run with him in the backyard. There were so many times that it felt like a three-ring-circus with the boys and Tex in the backyard, but it was fun and hilarious. Sam adored Tex. Tex was one of Sam's first chores as he fed him every day. The boys used to fight over who was going to let Tex outside in the mornings...all the while, Tex was probably thinking "someone, just let me out!" He was such a good friend to the boys.

Tex was an amazing friend to me. I know it sounds insane, but I don't think I would have made it through my post partum depression if it weren't for Tex. I would sit on the floor and cry and he would just come sit in front of me and let me lay my head on his back. I would cry and cry and he would just sit there. When I was done, he'd just walk away and go lay on his bed. Tex also kept me in shape...we walked together daily and he was fast! He was always happy to see me, no matter what mood I was in or how the day had been. I miss him terribly. I never thought I could love a dog so much.

Watching him get sick was so hard. It was really fast, but really difficult. We don't know exactly what happened, but he stopped eating and could hardly walk. We tried lots of things, but the vet helped us understand that the best way to help him was to give him relief. It was one of the hardest decisions we've ever had to make.

I'm not sure when the day will come that we don't think or talk about our pup! We miss him, but know that he is running the streets of heaven and we can't wait to see him one day!!