This is Avery.
He’s been with us for over ten years. He was a stray that wandered into the health food store where I was working one day. I thought he was coming in a customer, but he just snuck by. No one knew who he belonged to. He was so shaggy, but so happy.
I posted signs, asked every customer that walked in after, and called vets for 2 weeks. No claimed him. In the meantime, I took him to the vet got him checked out and cleaned up. The vet guessed he was between 4 and 6 years old. That was in 2000 and he’s been around ever since.
He was one of the friendliest dogs I’ve ever known. I often wanted to train him to be a therapy dog for hospital patients because he loved making people happy. However, because he was a stray and we didn’t know his full background it wasn’t possible. He liked people and every time he saw someone he would run up, shake his little nub of a tail, and turn around backwards so they could pet him. Since we moved over the years, he’s been to a number of different vets who have all said they can’t believe he’s a cocker spaniel because of his great disposition.
Avery came to us fully trained and knew a number of tricks. He loved playing ball, chasing motorcycles, car rides, the mailperson, and fireworks. He tore an ACL in one of his back legs chasing the bangs of fireworks around our backyard. He did the same thing the following year. It never bothered him. He just would just lift up the sore leg and go on about life, happy as could be, never caring that he was getting around on three legs.
We would take Avery on lots of walks and sometimes even runs. We would take him on car rides just to the drug store to pick-up an item or two. He would go to Cleveland’s Little Italy in the summer to hang out at the family bocce game. He would ride up to Michigan and swim in my grandparents pool.
Then Kora and Logan were born and, as it happens with most family dogs, the kids came first. He never minded his role. He’d often lay beside the kids when they played on the floor and they loved throwing a ball for him to chase in the summer. He was never jealous and he tried to be their friend.
As time has gone on his health has deteriorated. We figure he is nearly 16 years old and has done well up until the last month or two. This last week has been bad. He can hardly get around. He didn’t lift his head when asked about a car ride the other day.
Today he didn’t finish his breakfast.
So we knew it was time. This is our last morning with Avery and he’s spending it outside by his choice. He feels so miserable that he wants to be alone. As much as I want to hang out with him. I will give him that.
We’ll all miss him greatly and a space in my heart will always be there for him. I hope he finds some relief from his ills and enjoys his time up in the clouds, chasing tennis balls, eating lots of food, and wagging that stubby little tail.
Love ya, Avery.
Poor pup!!! You gave him a great life it sounds…I’m sure he is thankful for that!
~WM
So sad…I’m sure Avery will be missed and remembered fondly for many years. Brings tears to my eyes…
I am so sorry for you…. I know losing a pet is like losing a member of your family. He is so lucky to have talked into the health food store that day, you gave him a wonderful life.
I am so sorry for you…When my dog Tasha died while I was at college I felt like I had lost a friend, and in a sense I had. Remembering that he has had a good life with you will help.
I’m so sorry!!! This just breaks my heart!
It is so hard to say goodbye to a pet. You are in my thoughts today.
I can’t believe I lost track of your blog. I’ve been wondering why you haven’t been posting on Two Toddlers and Me, then finally today I had a flash that you started a new blog. So I went back to re-look and realized you did and that I wasn’t even following! Now I am! :)
Thanks for the kind thoughts. Glad we reconnected. Off to to plan a double-birthday party for the kids. I’ll be sure to stop by your blog when I get a little free time this weekend.
So sad!
aww! sounds like he was a angel dog!!! sorry for your loss!!!
OMG! That is so sad…how are Kora And Logan handling it? It may be too early to ask this, but will you get another dog?
Kora and Logan are okay with it. Logan really doesn’t understand at all. Kora got it for about 5 minutes yesterday and was crushed. Then later she said a few things that told me she didn’t really get it but got the emotion of it and was pretty teary for awhile.
No other pets in our future. Unfortunately, this is the 3rd animal we’ve put to sleep in 6 years. I can’t handle anymore and with our trips to Michigan to see my family another pet just makes the logistics more difficult.
Thanks so much for asking. I really appreciate all the wonderful response and am touched by everyone.
Oh and I wanted to mention that this story reminds me of Marley and Me (which I cried and cried over–not a movie to see when your hormones are raging!). I know you feel comforted knowing you gave him a good life and he brought joy to yours.
So sad!! He was an adorable dog. It’s amazing what a part of the family our pets become. I’m so sorry for your loss!
What a wonderful tribute! He is so loved! I cry with you!
Stuff about kids and dogs just tears my heart out! Sorry about your loss…
Tesa, my heart fell reading this post. I also posted the day we lost our Lucida…it was devastating for our entire family. I hope your family has peace and feel embraced by memories of Avery’s wagging tail and sloppy kisses.