If you have ever had a pet that was part of your family…then continue reading…if not, you will think this post is ridiculous and over the top:)

Moosie is our family baby. He was rescued by Micah and I when we were dating(12 years ago) My girlfriend found him in the woods at 6 wks old and he needed a home.  I lived with my parents so I convinced Micah to take him in and he obliged 🙂 Micah soon fell in love with Moosie just as I had.  He has traveled with us to Vermont where Micah gained his culinary degree, moved back home to Montcalm County when we were expecting our first son. He has been through a fire and flood with our family. He has been my best friend when I lived far away from my girlfriends and has shared popcorn late at night when Micah would not watch the Bachelor with me. He slept in bed with Micah and I until last year when he became too old to jump up that high.  He loved me when I was grumpy or tired and I always felt better after cuddling with him.  He loved it when I would lay next to him and I would rub his belly and he would moan in delight.  Moosie had the softest ears EVER and I kissed him as much as I kissed my boys.  Moosie was our first baby before our babies.  He has been completely loyal and sweet and always knew when I needed him the most. He would lay by my side when I cried and kept me company when I was editing into the wee hours of the night.  He would nudge me when he needed extra attention and would always knew when I had snacks. This dog was part of our family.  There are so many memories that he has been a part of!   That is why today is so hard.

Eight months ago Moosie was really ill.  The Emergency Vet told us he had a cancerous mass and also internal bleeding. She gave him 4-6 hours to live. Needless to say we were devastated.  We had our boys tell him good~bye and Micah and I slept beside him throughout the night waiting for the worst.  The worst finally came today.   I have to say that the last 8 months were a true blessing from God.  We were given this extra precious time and Moosie was not in any pain and apart from being just a bit slower…was just as sweet as could be, still begged gently for treats and even convinced me to spoon feed him EVERY DAY!   Micah made a comment a while back that he thought Moosie was still alive because we loved him so much!  I do believe that is true.  For the last 8 months we have loved the stuffins out of him!!  He has had too many treats and his diet consisted of meat and potatoes as dog food was not good enough for him 🙂 {don’t judge} lol  We knew we were on borrowed time.   He was truly my first baby and I although I am eternally grateful to have that time…the pain runs so deep.  I knew it was going to be hard, but this is such a loss. He was our beginning….

Moosie was buried at the place he loved the most today and a piece of my heart is with him.  I know I will see him again…as All Dogs Go To Heaven!

Thank you for allowing me to share.  Somehow it helps.  Although I do not understand why dogs do not live longer lives, I do know that I am a better person for having Moosie as long as I did.  This is why I adore photography as much as I do.  I am already sad  thinking I will never see his sweet face again…but, my photographs are the memories that allow me to see him.  Even though I have many pictures of him…I still wish I had more…must be that photographer in me 😉  I am so thankful for what I do have. This also holds true for your loved ones…furry or otherwise…you just never know how much time you have. Document it all!

love you, sweet Moosie.

xxoo,

mama.

Thank you, Joe May of Karyn May Photography for this image of my baby!

Moosie's favorite spot and where he is resting....The Farm. He would run into the swamp EVERY.SINGLE.TIME! lol

love you, moosie baby!

ps. I promise the next personal post will be happy…they say when it rains it pours!